5 Reasons You Need to Be Cruising France’s Canal du Midi Right Now

5 Reasons You Need to Be Cruising France’s Canal du Midi Right Now

France is a country that hardly needs any introduction. It is a shiny beacon of European culture. The historical marvel of ornate beauty that delights newcomers and seasoned travellers in equal measure, every step of the way. The southern path of the country is known for its bucolic landscapes that have been ripped straight out of fairy tales. If you truly want to savour the best out of this region. Here are 5 reasons you need to be cruising France’s Canal du Midi right now.

1. It’s the ultimate relaxation vacation

There is something truly Zen about going on a slow cruise. You don’t have to suffer through the uncomfortable car rides and bumps on the road. Nor are you not forced to wait there in the sitting position until you feel as if you will faint. You can just venture out onto the deck of the ship and marvel at the landscapes that unfold in front of you. The very framework of cruising through southern France is like a recipe to cure anxiety and stress. Caused by the work overload and constant barrage of daily obligations.   

2. The beauties cannot be overstated

The calming sound of water beneath the ship is all fine and dandy. But it amounts to nothing without the sights for sore eyes.  And as it has already been established, southern France, and especially the surrounding shores of the Canal du Midi, have splendours to spare. The beauties of this region cannot be overstated. The canal twists and winds for over 24 kilometres, starting at Toulouse and ending in the coastal town of Sète that boasts an azure Mediterranean beachfront. The historical monuments surrounded with picturesque nature have been well-kept as what has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3.  The accommodations are the epitome of comfort

One of the ultimate upsides of going on a stunning Canal du Midi cruise is the vessels themselves – the wondrous, movable feasts of comfort. These barges are essentially retrofitted to be hotels on water, equipped with premier amenities and cozy cabins. The best part about going on such a vacation is that you do not have to dart around the countryside, spending your precious energy on trying to see as much as you can. The accommodation itself will “bring the sites to you” in a manner of speaking.

4. Cycling around France

However, this still doesn’t mean you are tied to a boat. If you ever wanted to cycle along the trails of Provence, you can easily realize this aspiration on the Canal du Midi cruise. In a way, it lends you a chance to get the best of both worlds. This can be as opportune a chance as you’ll possibly get. To feel the breeze that ruffles the leaves of ancient plane trees that line the trails. Don’t lose yourself by such beauty and return to the ship before it sails.

5. A matter of food

The region is “notorious” for its incredibly delicious foods and small, charming restaurants that are hidden away in the narrow streets and miniature squares of small towns. It is an adventure in and of itself to go on a “hunt” for the most obscure food and wine nook at each of the ports of debarkation. Exquisite wineries that boast premier wines which are known across the globe are usually just around the corner too.

Just imagine the unbearable delight of this situation – the scent of lavender fills the air as you dreamily glide through the sumptuous fields of Provence on the comfortable cruise ship, on your way to one of the many yet decidedly unique medieval towns on faraway hillsides. The Canal du Midi cuts through the very heart of these unadulterated splendours. So, if you truly want a vacation to remember, embark on a cruise that is bound to create the paradigm shift in your aesthetic sensibilities.