The golden midi cruise

Why do we recommend stopping here?

Homps is an ancient commercial port where barrels of Minervois and Corbières wines were loaded for their journey to Bordeaux. Several wine producers are situated here and you can visit them for tours and tastings.

What is there to see?

You can discover the Roman chapel and the tower of the Knights of Malta.

What can I visit?

The Lac de Jouarres, only 1 km from the base, offers pedalos, windsurf and canoes.

Why do we recommend stopping at Carcassonne ?

Carcassonne is a world renowned UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of France's top tourist attractions. It has easy access from the airport and railway station and is an unmissable stop if you are cruising this part of the canal.

What is there to see?

The Medieval City, the castle and ramparts, the Basilica St Nazaire, where mass is still celebrated every Sunday at 11am. For something different, visit The Raymond Chésa Leisure Park , close to the imposing walls of the Cité Médiévale, and extending over 40 hectares - with picnic areas, pedalos, a mini golf course, several beach volleyball courts and a forest adventure park. The Number 7 bus gets you there very easily.

Why do we recommend stopping here?

Bram is an attractive town in pretty countryside, surrounded by vines. Built in a circular style, with the houses arranged in a concentric circle around the church, Bram is in the heart of Cathar country, and the remains of many castles can be spotted on the hilltops close to the town. There is a good range of shopping and faciltities here and it makes a very pleasant spot to moor and spend some time. The village is a bit of a walk (approx 1.5 kms) from the port.

What is there to see?

You can see the remains of the Saint-Julien and Sainte-Basilisse churches.

What can I visit?

At the Maison d'Archeologie you can see the remains of 30 years of excavations here

Why do we recommend stopping here?

The ancient streets are lined with half-timbered houses and private mansions dating from the XVIIIth century. During the last weekend of August the town hosts a Cassoulet festival, celebrating its main claim to fame.

What is there to see?

A collection of apothecary pots at the local hospital. The Presidial Museum with archeological findings dating from prehistorical to medieval times.The Cugarel windmill. Saint Michael's church. The Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy. Private mansions.A Chappe telegraph house.

What can I visit?

All these locations are to visit, some for free but most of them offer guided tours. Information and reservation at the Tourist Office, Place de Verdun, tel +33 468 23 05 75 or e-mail ot@ville-castelnaudary.fr . Website: castelnaudary-tourisme.com

Is this place famous for anything?

Castelnaudary is the self-proclaimed "World Capital of Cassoulet". The ingredients of this dish are a matter of debate. It generally includes haricot tarbais beans, duck confit, garlic sausage, pork hock or skin to season. It may contain the specialty sausage of Toulouse and either mutton or pork and has been known to contain partridge as well. Traditional peasant versions of the recipe can take two days or more to prepare. The traditional cooking vessel is an earthenware pot called a cassole for which the dish is named.

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