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 a scenic one-hour drive from 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 150 miles, this canal was the masterpiece of Pierre Riquet, who dreamed of linking the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Goods and passengers were transported through the canal on barges pulled by horses along the towpaths.
Float on the glistening canal, taking in the quiet beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its buildings and aqueducts scarcely changed since their completion more than 300 years ago. Enjoy a refreshment of coffee, tea, fruit juice and small pastries.
Revel in the quiet of the lush vineyards and the rolling countryside of the Languedoc region, dotted with occasional bistros, restaurants and art galleries that have sprung up in the old ‘lockkeepers' 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 in this tranquil journey through history.
Your guide will explain the use of the locks and offer you some free time ashore.
Please note: Travel time to the Canal du Midi is approximately 60 minutes each way. The mini-cruise takes place on a public barge-boat and is not exclusive to Seabourn guests. It is a slow-paced cruise focused on the historical and engineering features of the Canal du Midi with only limited photo opportunities and few landmarks. It is best suited for those with an interest in history or engineering, and a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. Those preferring active exploration or visually dynamic sights should opt for a different style of tour. Your boat guide's English will be accented; you are welcome to seek clarification from the tour guide if anything is unclear.