As well as the medieval towns, cathar villages, castles and monasteries that you pass, you should appreciate that the canal itself and its engineering works constitute an equally valuable work of art. The Canal du Midi, from Toulouse to the Etang de Thau, has been listed in its entirety as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a testimony to the genius of its builder Pierre-Paul Riquet who described it to Vauban as "The noblest work of its type ever undertaken".

The recent reopening of the lower Lot, linking the Lot and the Garonne, gives you a chance to discover this delightful region with its chateaux and medieval bastides such as Aiguillon, Villeneuve-sur-Lot and Pujols, one of France's prettiest villages, as well as many other treasures of romanesque art.

This Base has enclosed car parking for customers and a WC and shower (payable) according to the opening hours of the base as well as a phone box and a picnic area.  Located nearby are Banks, Post Office, Shops, Restaurants and a Market.

LATE ARRIVALS

If you are going to be arriving at the base after 6 pm, you will need to inform the base directly. They will give you the name of the boat and the keys. You will spend the first night on board. The base staff will do the full briefing the following morning at 9. (It's generally possible, but sometimes difficult on Sunday morning).

BASE OPENING HOURS

Opening hours: 2pm to 6pm.

BOARDING

From 3 pm to 6 pm (according to preparing the boats)

HIGHLIGHTS

From Lattes, the Canal du Midi snakes its way through a typically Mediterranean landscape: vines, cypresses, pine trees and a plethora of flowers scent the air against the background chirping of grasshoppers and cicadas. Under the shade of great plane trees, you'll make the acquaintance of a rich regional cuisine of succulent dishes and magnificent wines. Splendidly restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century, Carcassonne is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 52 turrets and double ring of walls of this, the largest medieval fortress in Europe, proudly dominate the new town below. Narbonne was once the largest city in Roman Gaul; in the centre of the town the Archbishops' Palace and the Cathedral make up a remarkable architectural ensemble. At Beziers the Gothic cathedral of St Nazaire towers over the home town of Pierre-Paul Riquet, whose masterpiece the Canal du Midi is.

HOTELS

- Mas du Courant
Tel : 04 67 65 57 57

- Le Méjean
Tel: 04 67 99 79 00

RESTAURANTS

- Bistrot d'Ariane (Port Ariane)
Tel : 04 67 20 01 27

- La Bonne Bouille (Port Ariane)
Tel : 04 67 15 30 61

- L'Olivier (Montpellier 7 km) *Michelin
Tel : 04 67 92 86 28

- Le Jardin des Sens (Montpellier 7 km) *** Michelin
Tel : 04 99 58 38 38

PARKING

All our bases offer enclosed parking, some offer covered parking too. A charge is made for parking. The parking is unguarded.

MARKETS

At Lattes Wednesday and Sunday mornings

Au Mas de Saporta (3 km) Farmer's market, Tuesday & Friday from 6 pm to 10 pm, in July and August

TO SEE

Old Montpellier, Promenade du Peyrou, Fabre Museum, Quartier Antigone, Hôtel de Varenne, Archeological Henri Prades Museum...

Airport - Montpellier-Méditerannee airport (6 km)
Train - TGV Montpellier station (5 km)
Bus - from Montpellier station, tramway to Port Marianne, then bus n°18 to Port Ariane
Motorway - A9 - E15 - E80 exit Palavas-les-Flots (3 km - D986)

Taxis

- Taxi Lorrai  Tel: 04 67 22 00 77

Car Rental

- Avis: Montpellier airport (5 km)  Tel : 04 67 20 14 95
- Europcar : Montpellier (7 km) Tel : 04 67 42 14 70
- Hertz Montpellier airport (5 km) Tel : 04 67 20 04 64