| When thinking about the ideal place to take a canal | | | | no reason not to visit them on a canal boat holiday |
| holiday in France, the ancient walled city of | | | | to France. |
| Carcassonne could surely be near the top of the list. | | | | While in the city, be sure to head to the St Nazarius |
| This city, popular with those on canal boat holidays | | | | Basilica. This church is hundreds of years old and |
| due to its ideal location next to the Canal du Midi, is | | | | houses some truly beautiful stained glass windows, |
| brimming with culture and stunning architecture, with | | | | which are a stunning sight in the French sun. Inside |
| parts of the old town designated UNESCO World | | | | the church is also the tomb of Bishop Guihem Razouls |
| Heritage Sites. Carcassonne can be found in the | | | | of Radulphe. His final resting place is surrounded by 12 |
| Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, in the south of | | | | intricately carved statues as well as a hidden |
| the country. | | | | sculpture depicting a smiling angel. |
| Using one of the midi canal boat hire firms in this area | | | | The church also has some interesting friezes which |
| is perfect for seeing France from a different | | | | are worth a look. On a canal boat holiday to France, |
| perspective and can help you really relax on a break | | | | the Canal du Midi is certainly the best waterway to |
| to the country. Instead of negotiating foreign roads | | | | head down, as its long length and location make it |
| behind the feel of an unfamiliar hire car, why not | | | | ideal for exploring some of the best parts of the |
| take a midi canal holiday and allow the most beautiful | | | | country. |
| parts of the countryside to float past? | | | | The canal flows all the way from the city of |
| And the walled city of Carcassonne is certainly a | | | | Toulouse to the port town of Sete, in the south of |
| stunning place to see on a canal boat break. The | | | | the country. The waterway is around 150 miles long |
| ancient part of the area is an architectural gem, | | | | and all along its length there are fascinating towns |
| boasting some three kilometres of town battlements, | | | | and villages as well as ancient bridges and other |
| 52 towers and a huge fort. In the old part of town | | | | sights. The views of the French countryside afforded |
| there is also a wide range of craft shops ideal for | | | | to those who sail a canal boat down the canal are |
| picking up a souvenir or two to remind you of your | | | | second to none and a relaxing sailing holiday is a great |
| trip to France. | | | | way of getting to see as much of the country as |
| Just over 100 people live in the ancient part of the | | | | possible. |
| city and a visit here can sometimes feel like taking a | | | | Whichever type of canal boat you require on a |
| step back into another century. | | | | boating holiday to France, you are sure to be able to |
| The fort area is linked to the rest of Carcassonne by | | | | find it. Whether you are planning on taking a relaxing |
| the Pont Vieux, which passes over the river Aude. In | | | | river cruise with your partner, or whether you need a |
| other parts of town there is much to see and do, | | | | larger boat which can accommodate children or more |
| including the former home of famous poet Joe | | | | than two people, there are plenty of options |
| Bousquet. Memorial House is home to permanent | | | | available. |
| exhibitions which showcases the wordsmith's writing | | | | Hiring a canal boat to explore France gives you the |
| as well as the works of his contemporaries in the | | | | chance to tailor a break to your needs and can also |
| French art and poetry scene. | | | | afford you total flexibility to spend as little or as |
| Art buffs may also want to head to the city's | | | | much time in each place as you like. And you are sure |
| Museum of Fine Arts, which boasts fabulous pieces | | | | to want to spend a good few days exploring the |
| of art spanning three centuries. Both of these | | | | ancient walled city of Carcassonne, which is certainly |
| attractions are free to enter and so there is certainly | | | | a sight to behold. |