France is criss-crossed with canals built prior to the advent of railways and were once the country's most effective transport system. The canals lay virtually idle for decades until the canal boating craze took hold of England who had a similar network. The Poms soon realised that the French countryside was prettier than their own and that the French werent really interested in canal boating themselves. An industry was born overnight. The World Heritage Listed Canal du Midi is the jewel in the crown of the canal world. Running from Toulouse to Beziers, it is one of the oldest in France and includes amazing engineering feats such as tunnels through mountains and aqueducts over rivers.

The older style converted barges have largely given way to custom built fibreglass cabin cruiser type vessels. These are fully appointed like floating apartments and the good news is that anyone over 18 can drive them.


Canal du Midi
France Afloat