Canal du Midi
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Port
Sete, France
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$130
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Set off on your moderately active, half-day tour at your pier where you will board a motorcoach for a scenic one-hour drive from your port city of Sète through the gorgeous French countryside to Fonséranes.
Here, you will board a barge for a mini-cruise on the Canal du Midi, one of the true engineering marvels of the 17th century. Stretching for over 240 km, this canal was the masterpiece of Pierre Riquet who dreamed of linking the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Travellers could then avoid treacherous, month-long ship voyages around hostile Spain that sometimes included attacks by Barbary pirates. Instead, goods and passengers were transported through the canal on barges pulled by horses along the towpaths.
Float through the glistening waters of the canal, taking in the grandeur and beauty of this World Heritage site with its buildings and aqueducts, scarcely changed from their completion over 300 years ago. Enjoy a resfreshment with coffee, tea, fruit juice and small size pastries.
Marvel at lush vineyards, and the rolling countryside of Languedoc dotted with bistros, restaurants and art galleries that have sprung up in the old lock keepers cottages along the canal. Bask in the dappled sunlight of some of the more than 40,000 trees planted along the canal's length to provide shade. Have your cameras ready for the opportunity to photograph the landscape that surrounds you on this peaceful and tranquil journey through history. After the mini cruise, your guide will explain the use of the locks and you will have a short free time.