About this trip.
Canal du Midi closed for drought: VNF suspended navigation on the whole Canal du Midi, from Toulouse to the Étang de Thau, from 9 November 2026 to save water after this year's drought. The canal's usual maintenance closure runs from January to March; check reopening dates with your hire firm before booking early spring. Source
Before you book: Canal du Midi vs UK narrowboating — same week, different country, very different holiday · How we vet operators — and the questions you should ask any small-group operator yourself
Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi
The Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs through Carcassonne. From this base you can hire a boat and cruise the canal without a licence. Carcassonne is known for its Cité, a medieval ensemble that the operator describes as unique in Europe for its size and its state of preservation. It is also the only fortified city still lived in today. The château and the basilica stand behind its ramparts.
Villages, wine and cassoulet
Cruises from Carcassonne pass Cathar villages, stone bridges and abbeys, and food plays a big part too. A stop along the canal is a chance to try Carcassonne's cassoulet, or the slightly different version made in Castelnaudary. The canal winds through vineyards, so you can also taste Corbières and Minervois wines in the shade of the plane trees.
Routes from Carcassonne
The base offers routes from a weekend to three weeks. Each one lists its distance, number of locks and time:
Weekend: Carcassonne – Bram – Carcassonne, 48 km, 10 locks, 9 hours Weekend one way: Carcassonne – Homps, 40 km, 13 locks, 8 hours Mini-week: Carcassonne – Homps – Carcassonne, 80 km, 26 locks, 18 hours Mini-week one way: Carcassonne – Colombiers, 95 km, 18 locks, 17 hours One week: Carcassonne – Capestang – Carcassonne, 166 km, 36 locks, 30 hours; or Carcassonne – Seuil de Naurouze (the watershed between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic) – Port-Lauragais – Carcassonne, 116 km, about 70 locks, 40 hours One week one way: Carcassonne – Bram – Carcassonne – Colombiers, 143 km, 28 locks, 25 hours Two weeks: Carcassonne – Montgiscard – Carcassonne, 160 km, 66 locks, 30 hours; Carcassonne – Castelnaudary – Port-Lauragais – Carcassonne, 116 km, 70 locks, 58 hours; or Carcassonne – Agde – Carcassonne, 252 km, 72 locks, 50 hours Two weeks one way: Carcassonne – Carnon, 180 km, 33 locks, 35 hours Three weeks: Carcassonne – Aigues-Mortes – Carcassonne, 400 km, 76 locks, 70 hours
The shape of the trip.
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1Do I need a licence?
No. The hire base gives you a short handover covering steering, locks, and safety before you set off. Speed limit is 4 mph on UK narrowboats — slower than a walking pace. If you can drive a car, you can drive a canal boat.
Q2How many locks will I do?
Depends on the route. The Llangollen has about 20 over a week — leisurely. The Caen Hill flight on the Kennet & Avon has 29 in one stretch — a full day's work. Some European routes (Canal du Midi, Camargue) have almost none. The operator's map shows lock counts per day so you can pace yourself.
Q3Can I travel solo?
Most hire companies require two adults on board, mainly so one person can work locks while the other steers. A few allow solo hire on quieter routes — ask the operator before booking.
Q4What's included?
Typically the boat, fuel for the engine, a handover briefing, mooring ropes, fenders and a starter pack (tea, coffee, washing-up kit). Bedding is sometimes included, sometimes £10-20 extra. Food is your own, shopped from towpath-side villages.
Q5What if something breaks?
The hire base has a 24/7 support line. A fitter will usually come out within a few hours. Engines are robust and well-maintained — the most common failures are blocked weed hatches (clearable yourself) and flat domestic batteries.
Q6Is it good for kids?
Yes — lifejackets are provided and kids love working locks. Older children (6+) can help steer under supervision. Toddlers need constant watching near open decks. A reinforced guard rail helps.
Q7Can I bring my dog?
Most hire companies allow one or two dogs for a small supplement (£20-30 per dog per week). They love the towpath walks. The boat will lose its deposit if the dog damages upholstery — bring a blanket.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a 25% deposit at booking, balance 8-12 weeks before departure. Each operator has its own cancellation ladder (steeper close to departure). Travel insurance with cruise cover is recommended.
Three canal holidays, side-by-side.
The two closest canal holidays on Mooch, both in France. Prices are the operators' own, per boat.
