Do you do one-way cruises?
Sorry, no. But with three directions to travel there
is plenty to explore on an out an back trip.
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. |
Can you arrange Airport Transfers etc?
Yes. We have established enabling arrangements with a
local Taxi firm who will collect from Airports etc. However, if you are
arriving by train in Narbonne, you are better off taking a Taxi from the
rank outside to avoid waiting charges if the train is delayed (an unusual
occurrence in France) but let us book your return Taxi.
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?
When you have decided on the number who will be travelling,
the type of boat, and the dates, just E
mail us and we will get back to you immediately with the boats available.
When we have found a boat and a departure date suitable for you, you must
print out the booking form and send it to us by fax or mail. Payments are
usually all by credit card with numbers given by E mail, fax or phone,
but of course all other payment methods are acceptable.
Booking
Conditions |
