Do you do short breaks?
We are weekly hire only, starting on a Saturday or Sunday, but we would consider 10/11 day cruises if requested.

What is the situation with regard to shopping?
There is a small shop in Le Somail - it is actually on a boat. The nearest Intermarche (supermarket) is at St Marcel, approximately 2 kms away but it is closed on Sundays. However, as a free service we can provide 2 sizes of "get you started" packs as follows:

Standard Pack: 1 litre Orange Juice, 1 litre Milk, 1 pkt Butter, 2 x Baguettes, 4 x Croissants, 6 bottles Water, 1 pkt Ham, 1 x Cheese, Tea, Coffee, Sugar and 6 Eggs. Price will be 30 euros, payable on arrival

Large Pack: 2 litre Orange Juice, 2 litre Milk, 2 pkt Butter, 4 x Baguettes, 12 x Croissants, 12 bottles Water, 2 pkt Ham, 2 x Cheese, Tea, Coffee, Sugar and 12 Eggs. Price will be 55 euros, payable on arrival

Please note that these packs are of a pre-determined contents, we cannot provide a bespoke shopping service

How do we operate the Locks?
Put simply, you don't!! VNF personnel operate the sluices and man all the locks between Carcassonne and Beziers. Your involvement will be manning ropes fore and aft whilst the boat is in the lock.

Do we pay to use the Locks?
No, there are no charges for you. The cruising tax has been prepaid. However, the lock keepers always appreciate the offer of a bottle of beer etc.

What hours do the Locks open?
This varies throughout the season:

29 March - 30 April  0900 - 1230 1330 - 1800
01 May - 31 May 0900 - 1230 1330 - 1830
01 June - 30 Jun 0900 - 1230 1330 - 1900
01 July - 31 Aug  0800 - 1230 1330 - 1900
01 Oct - 02 Nov 0900 - 1230  1330 - 1800 

The locks close for the National Holidays, 01 May, 14 July and 01 November.

Can we swim in the Canal?
Some people do but we strongly recommend that you do not.

Are there plenty of canal side facilities?
Most of the villages you pass will have some sort of shop and these are individually signposted in the village or, where there is a cluster of shops, the sign will be for "Commerces". Bars and restaurants often have directions near to moorings. Additional information is available in the Fluvial Guide Number 7, which can be ordered when you book or bought at the boatyard.

Many restaurants do not open before Easter or the beginning of May and start to close down in October. If you are boating in early or late season, the boatyard will try and give advice on specific restaurant opening hours.

What is the water quality like?
In the South of France it is generally good. However, to be safe, we recommend that you use bottled water for drinking and cleaning your teeth etc. Bottled water is very cheap here - typically less than 0.25 euros per litre in a supermarket - as compared to UK prices.

Do we need to carry much cash?
You need cash on arrival to pay for your damage waiver, cycle hire, towels and groceries etc. You will also need some cash on your last day to pay for your fuel. There are banks in many of the local villages, some with ATM machines. A separate list of these is included in your Boat Manual.

Are there reasonable Hotels in the area?
Yes. You will find links on our website to some B&B establishments and there are a number of Chambres d'Hote within Le Somail. The Accor Hotels group (Formule 1, Etap, Ibis, Novatel etc) also offer a range of accommodation over a broad pricing spectrum. These can be booked over the Internet and are well represented within Narbonne, Carcassonne and Beziers.

Do you provide Hairdryers?
At present, only the Sovereign Class boats are equipped with a Hairdryer.

How far can we get in one week?
This is dictated by the time of season and your preference for long hours of cruising. In early and late season, it is quite reasonable to set Carcassonne as a goal, although it is more difficult in peak times (June - August). A pleasant cruise would be from Le Somail to Beziers, return through Le Somail and start climbing the locks to either Homps or Laredorte before turning back to base again. This gives you the contrast of lock free and lock cruising, with the chance to explore some lovely small French towns and villages (Capestang, Colombiers etc).

If you are not an experienced canal user, you must remember that a full days cruising is only an hour or less by car. You can get a Taxi from Homps to Minerve or Carcassonne for the day, or from Trebes to Carcassonne at very reasonable rates. This way you get the best of both worlds, you keep your cruising relaxed and still see all the sights.

Are there Banking Facilities near to the Canal and Le Somail?
The nearest ATM to Le Somail is at Ginestas (3 kms), where the Credit Agricole is in the main square opposite the Town Hall (Mairie). Details of other banks within a reasonable walk of the canal are listed below. Both Beziers and Carcassonne offer a range of banking facilities on a par with any major town in the UK.

Capestang (ATM)
Credit Agricole - Place Gambetta Mon - Fri  0815-1215 1330-1645
Colombiers (ATM)
Credit Aricole
La Redorte (ATM)
Credit Agricole - Ave Victor Hugo Mon - Fri  0825-1215 1330-1700
Puisserguier
Credit Agricole - Rue de Belfort  Mon - Fri  0845-1215 1330-1715
Trebes (ATM)
Credit Agricole - Ave Pasteur Mon - Fri  0830-1215 1330-1700

Are there plenty of restaurants close to the Canal?
Yes. There are restaurants in many of the villages catering for a range of tastes and budgets. However, one word of caution, in this part of France all meat (beef, pork, lamb) tends to be undercooked. If you prefer your meat well done, you must stress this.
 Rare Saignant  (pronounced senn-yon)
Medium a point (pronounced a-pwan)
Well Done bien cuit (pronounced bee-an kwee) 

If uncertain, ask for your meat to be cooked for longer ie, rare in UK would be medium in France.

How do I book?

Booking Conditions