Canal du Midi Cruises From European Waterways

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• published: 07 Jun 2017
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http://www.europeanwaterways.com/ - Canal du Midi Cruises From European Waterways - If you are looking to experience the best of the French countryside, a cruise on a Canal du Midi barge might be just the thing for you! The 300 year old Canal du Midi skirts the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean before meandering inland through ancient villages, Roman fortifications and famed vineyards. This canal is defined by its beauty, lined with plane trees and crossed by pretty arched bridges. The Mediterranean weather and pace of life is relaxed and lulls you into unwinding as your luxury Canal du Midi barge meanders gently downstream. This is the perfect place for cycling or walking along scenic tow paths, or simply watching the scenery pass by as you relax on the deck of a Canal du Midi barge with a cool drink. In the distance you can see the Pyrenees, whereas closer to hand are the vineyards that stretch for thousands of square miles. Enjoy private wine tastings at chateaux en route, the locations of which vary depending on your choice of Canal du Midi cruise. You will discover a marvellous blend of ancient Gallo-Roman and traditional influences reflected throughout this region of historical importance. Explore this further with your tour guide when you visit the walled city of Carcassonne, the most complete medieval fortified city in existence. Our classic Canal du Midi cruise is held aboard our pretty 8 passenger vessel Anjodi, which has been cruising the Canal du Midi for more than 25 years. Anjodi has never been more popular since Rick Stein brought her to the attention of the world in his very successful TV series 'French Odyssey'. Alternatively, you can opt for the ultra deluxe Canal du Midi cruise aboard the 8 passenger Enchanté, or the 6 passenger Claire de Lune. Enchanté is the only double-decker Canal du Midi barge, providing room for large cabins and additional facilities whilst still able to squeeze through the waterway's old locks. We also offer the 10 passenger Athos for larger groups. The Canal du Midi From Roman times, a link between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic had long been on the minds of those wishing to avoid a trip around the Strait of Gibraltar. Charlemagne considered it in the 8th century. François I and Leonardo da Vinci talked about it in 1516. But it took a wealthy salt tax collector in the 17th century to bring it to pass. Pierre Paul Riquet (1604-1680) of Béziers supplied the vision, the drive, and even part of the financing for the Canal du Midi. In 1666 an edict by Louis XIV proclaimed that construction could begin. Seven million cubic meters of earth were excavated for the project, which employed 12,000 men over a period of 12 years. The Canal du Midi was built to enable the more efficient transport of goods and add to the mobility of the French navy. It was also intended from the beginning to bring glory to Le Roi Soleil, Louis XIV, the Sun King. Covering 150 miles, it includes 328 structures such as locks, tunnels, bridges, and aqueducts. The canal's 63 locks include double, triple, quadruple and sextuple staircase locks. The canal has changed little in its 300 years. Now lock gates are steel rather than timber. An aqueduct was built to create a waterway over the River Orb. And a "water slope" was built at Béziers to allow boats to avoid the sixrise staircase. In 1996 the canal was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The high quality of construction that went into the locks, aqueducts, and buildings is responsible for making the Canal du Midi the oldest canal in Europe still functioning. The canal remains not only functional but of high quality, making it the most popular canal in France. What is hotel barging? Despite the growing popularity of cruising, especiallly on large river vessels, hotel barging is still a little known niche concept. Most hotel barges started life as cargo vessels but have since been painstakingly converted to offer luxury boutique accommodation for small groups of up to 20 passengers. This is cruising, but in a very different style to ships plying the big rivers or oceans. The pace is slow, with a 6 day cruise covering maybe just 50 miles along a rural canal. Passengers can walk or bike the towpaths as their floating hotel glides gently along. Guests enjoy an intimate atmosphere, high levels of personal service and immersion into the culture, history and gastronomy of regions of Europe such as Burgundy, the Midi, or the Italian Veneto. http://www.europeanwaterways.com/

Canal du Midi Cruises From European Waterways

• Report rights infringement
• published: 07 Jun 2017
• views: 128

http://www.europeanwaterways.com/ - Canal du Midi Cruises From European Waterways - If you are looking to experience the best of the French countryside, a cruise on a Canal du Midi barge might be just the thing for you! The 300 year old Canal du Midi skirts the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean before meandering inland through ancient villages, Roman fortifications and famed vineyards. This canal is defined by its beauty, lined with plane trees and crossed by pretty arched bridges. The Mediterranean weather and pace of life is relaxed and lulls you into unwinding as your luxury Canal du Midi barge meanders gently downstream. This is the perfect place for cycling or walking along scenic tow paths, or simply watching the scenery pass by as you relax on the deck of a Canal du Midi barge with a cool drink. In the distance you can see the Pyrenees, whereas closer to hand are the vineyards that stretch for thousands of square miles. Enjoy private wine tastings at chateaux en route, the locations of which vary depending on your choice of Canal du Midi cruise. You will discover a marvellous blend of ancient Gallo-Roman and traditional influences reflected throughout this region of historical importance. Explore this further with your tour guide when you visit the walled city of Carcassonne, the most complete medieval fortified city in existence. Our classic Canal du Midi cruise is held aboard our pretty 8 passenger vessel Anjodi, which has been cruising the Canal du Midi for more than 25 years. Anjodi has never been more popular since Rick Stein brought her to the attention of the world in his very successful TV series 'French Odyssey'. Alternatively, you can opt for the ultra deluxe Canal du Midi cruise aboard the 8 passenger Enchanté, or the 6 passenger Claire de Lune. Enchanté is the only double-decker Canal du Midi barge, providing room for large cabins and additional facilities whilst still able to squeeze through the waterway's old locks. We also offer the 10 passenger Athos for larger groups. The Canal du Midi From Roman times, a link between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic had long been on the minds of those wishing to avoid a trip around the Strait of Gibraltar. Charlemagne considered it in the 8th century. François I and Leonardo da Vinci talked about it in 1516. But it took a wealthy salt tax collector in the 17th century to bring it to pass. Pierre Paul Riquet (1604-1680) of Béziers supplied the vision, the drive, and even part of the financing for the Canal du Midi. In 1666 an edict by Louis XIV proclaimed that construction could begin. Seven million cubic meters of earth were excavated for the project, which employed 12,000 men over a period of 12 years. The Canal du Midi was built to enable the more efficient transport of goods and add to the mobility of the French navy. It was also intended from the beginning to bring glory to Le Roi Soleil, Louis XIV, the Sun King. Covering 150 miles, it includes 328 structures such as locks, tunnels, bridges, and aqueducts. The canal's 63 locks include double, triple, quadruple and sextuple staircase locks. The canal has changed little in its 300 years. Now lock gates are steel rather than timber. An aqueduct was built to create a waterway over the River Orb. And a "water slope" was built at Béziers to allow boats to avoid the sixrise staircase. In 1996 the canal was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The high quality of construction that went into the locks, aqueducts, and buildings is responsible for making the Canal du Midi the oldest canal in Europe still functioning. The canal remains not only functional but of high quality, making it the most popular canal in France. What is hotel barging? Despite the growing popularity of cruising, especiallly on large river vessels, hotel barging is still a little known niche concept. Most hotel barges started life as cargo vessels but have since been painstakingly converted to offer luxury boutique accommodation for small groups of up to 20 passengers. This is cruising, but in a very different style to ships plying the big rivers or oceans. The pace is slow, with a 6 day cruise covering maybe just 50 miles along a rural canal. Passengers can walk or bike the towpaths as their floating hotel glides gently along. Guests enjoy an intimate atmosphere, high levels of personal service and immersion into the culture, history and gastronomy of regions of Europe such as Burgundy, the Midi, or the Italian Veneto. http://www.europeanwaterways.com/