ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS BOATING
Your rundown of fresh ideas for pleasure
afl oat across France…
Nicols open in Port-Lauragais The self-drive boating holiday provider's new base in Port-Lauragais (pictured above) brings more options for exploring the Canal du Midi – further west, taking in Toulouse and sailing as far as Montauban and Moissac, or east towards Narbonne, Castelnaudary and Carcassonne. •
www.boat-renting-nicols.co.uk
Le Boat App & new
Aquitaine base Holiday organisers Le Boat have created a free ‘cruising companion app’ and also have a new base in Castelsarrasin, Aquitaine. •
www.leboat.co.uk/my-app •
www.leboat.co.uk
Loire river cruise
CroisiEurope are launching a new luxury vessel in April, the 96-passenger MS Loire Princesse, which will provide the utmost in comfort during Loire Valley cruises. •
www.croisieurope.travel
Family discounts
For the 2015 cruise season, European Waterways are off ering a 10% percent discount off the price of ten of their most popular 'whole boat' charters. •
www.gobarging.com
Self-drive boats are a popular option as no license is required
required, this is by far the simplest and most independent method of traversing France’s extensive canal network, of which the majestic 17th-century Canal du Midi is defi nitely the most famous. This UNESCO World Heritage Site connects Toulouse with
the Mediterranean Sea at Sète, passing by the medieval ramparts of Carcassonne en route. The canal is a hive of activity over the summer months. Cyclists follow its tow paths, barges glide between riverside bistros and locks teem with sleek pénichettes and Linssen Yachts. The Canal de Bourgogne is another popular waterway
for self-drive and barge holidays. Serving as a chain link connecting the English Channel with the Mediterranean Sea via the rivers Seine, Saône and Rhône, the canal boasts a record number of locks – 189 – which will keep you on your toes as you navigate your way downstream. There’s one major draw to a holiday here: wine. With 60,000 acres of vineyards, a regional wine tour by boat is a highly tempting option. The canal itself winds past medieval towns and châteaux, and has regional numerous food markets dotted along its banks. Although newcomers to self-drive boating often stick to the well-traversed waterways of the Canal du Midi or ➤
48 FRENCH HOLIDAY Inspirations 2015
2015 NEW IN
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