Linking Toulouse to Sète, The Canal du Midi is an invitation to relax. Its peaceful atmosphere wins over those who indulge in reverie while following their course. Here is the Wild Canal du Midi that awaits you, punctuated by villages typical au southern charm, small ports and locks, surrounded by hills, scrubland and vines.
On the way ...
The paths which border the Canal du Midi are ideal for walking or cycling. Le GR 78, Piedmont path to Santiago de Compostela, for example follows the Canal du Midi from Paraza to Homps. Other routes leave from the villages which border it and allow to contemplate it from the heights. Linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the cycle route of Canal des 2 mers by bike allows you to discover it while roaming over several days!
To know !
If you want to cycle along the Canal du Midi, we recommend using mountain bikes or mountain bikes. Development work is underway but to date it is necessary to be equipped with bicycles suitable for uneven terrain. For the rental of classic or electric mountain bikes, you can contact Hugo de Languedoc MTB Evasion. It is also possible to have electric mountain bikes delivered to Homps by contacting Big Up Cycling.
Sail on the canal
It is also on a boat that it reveals itself to the traveler in search of calm and contemplation. Take the helm of a houseboat and become captain for a few days or just let yourself be driven during a commented walk on barge Saint Ferréol.
What to do around the Canal du Midi?
The best moments to experience around the Canal du Midi
- Lounging on the terrace watching the boats go by ...
- Walk around on the towpath by electric bike or Mountain biking on the heights of Roubia and Paraza.
- Go se bathe in the Jouarres lake leaving on foot from the port of Homps and have a picnic on my way.
- Go to an evening opening at the Le Clap art gallery in Paraza.
- Take a guided tour on the barge on Saint-Ferreol from the port of Homps.
- Have a drink and nibble on some tapas on a small village square while listening to a group of musicians.
- Do a tasting à The House of Wines of Minervois at Homps.
- Buy from olive oil, olives and tapenade au Windmill of the Restanque in Roubia, directly from the producer.
- Se walk to go see the boats cross the locks or admire the Repudre Canal Bridge between Paraza and Ventenac.
The charm of the villages of the Canal du Midi
Homps, a lively little port
Le port of Homps is ideal for exploring the Canal du Midi. The terraces of restaurants are welcoming and it is also the starting point of a commented cruise exciting on the barge Saint-Ferréol. The House of the Port in Minervois houses the tourist information point and the harbor master's office and The House of Wines of Minervois, ideal for discovering raw of this name and to make some purchases of wine and de local products.
Homps is also bordered by the Jouarres lake, where you can swim, canoe, windsurf, play on inflatable buoys, fish or simply take a nap in the shade. A marked hike even allows you to walk around it from the port of Homps!
Argens-Minervois, a panorama of the Canal du Midi
Argens-Minervois is a pretty village built around its castle and crossed by the Canal du Midi. The easy and marked hike The Pech Laurier leaves the village and allows you to reach the heights of the hill where there is a breathtaking view of the canal, Lac des Aiguilles and the village. The whole constitutes a protected site. Back to Argens-Minervois, sit on the terrace au waterfront edge to taste the local cuisine!
![]()
View from the Pech Laurier ![]()
The LAc of Aiguilles Argens ![]()
The lock of the pech laurier ![]()
the argens tavern ![]()
The argens tavern ![]()
the terrace of the port argens
Roubia, southern charm
By following the Canal du Midi, you will arrive at Roubia, where the southern charm of our small villages in Minervois is expressed. A small grocery where we can also feast on grill, a charming square where have a drink while nibbling some tapas, narrow streets that can be discovered by following the marked promenade The Three Groves. Not to be missed: a visit to the Windmill of the Restanque where Laurent and Magali produce a fruity olive oil as well as olives and tapenade delicious perfect for aperitif !
Paraza, artists' village
At the bend of a meander stands paraza with its majestic castle early XNUMXth century which sheltered Paul Riquet during the construction of the Canal. Was it within these walls that the idea of a Canal Bridge to span the stream of Repudiate ?
Le Paraza castle has been rehabilitated by the Danglas family who offer guest rooms charming and also produces famous wines, to discover during a tasting monumental cellar. In season, a restaurant takes place in the castle park for a meal in the shade, lulled by the song of the cicadas.
![Le pont-canal du Répudre à Paraza]()
the canal bridge of the repudre ![Le Château de Paraza]()
the courtyard of the chateau de paraza ![Les quais du port de Paraza]()
the docks of the port of paraza
On the dock, the Le Clap art gallery welcomes enthusiasts and amateurs. Others artists' workshops and shops opened their doors to the delight of curious visitors!
To do some shopping, have a coffee or have a quick bite to eat, go to the grocery store The stone relay where the best welcome will be reserved for you.
