huizc

Can anyone verify that the the canal du midi tow path has a continuous/contiguous walking path through its entire length? If there are interruptions, are the options/bypasses walkable? If path is muddy, is it still passable? thanks

Sarastro

I am only familiar with the canal between Castelnaudary and Béziers. Most of this distance has the tow paths in tack, much of the path is paved so it is never muddy.

There is a section where the pathway was removed (sorry I cannot recall the exact location) but you can still easily walk along the canal to where the pathway resumes.

KateWilson

The towpath is more-or-less complete. In some places, there is a path on both sides of the Canal, but the "official" towpath is on the south side, where the plane trees are set back from the canalside. However, every so often the towpath merges into a road, where walkers have to contend with vehicles. That happens both sides of the Canalside village where I live, but in each case it's possible to walk on the opposite (north) of the Canal.

It's certainly possible to walk the full length of the Canal: I provide bed-and-breakfast accommodation, and we quite often have walkers staying with us. Most people seem to allow between ten and 15 days to walk the entire length.

The other option is cycling down the Canal, which makes coping with the roads much easier.

This is my first post here, so I hope this is helpful. I will provide more information if I can.

[email protected]

mr_go

Welcome to Fodorville, Kate!

JaneC73

I contacted the Office de Tourisme Intercommunal du Canal du Midi who confirmed it was walkable - I plan to do Toulouse to Beziers in Late Feb/Early March next year! I am currently planning and not booking anywhere yet as I need to get time off work first but can't wait to start making concrete plans!

JaneC73

oh yeah - a really good book I have found is Fluviacarte 11 Voies Navigables Canaux Du Midi - got it from a ma;p suppliers off the internet (Best so far anyway! Good map and km info but no accommodation info - most useful for those who are actually going along the water!)

chartley

Get your walk done as soon as you can. The plane trees that line the canal are suffering from a disease which means that many will have to be felled. The landscape will not be the same in the future.

Jeff801

Just a thought, when you get to Beziers, and finally have your goal in sight, it is easy to get sidetracked along the south side of the boat elevator and find yourself walking over the river on the noisy road bridge. Be certain to walk down the far more attractive steps of locks. Stay on the North side, there are paths on both sides, and walk across the canal viaduct over the river. That way, you will be able to walk into the town without waiting for the lock gates to be closed or going at least a kilometer out of your way around the boat basin before you can cross over near the train station.

bilboburgler

It is good walking but there is a certain amount of tree root damage which can trip you up

nukesafe

Kate, the Forum does not allow advertising, but your B&B sounds interesting. Could you post a link so we could look it up online? That's not advertising IMO, just answering a question.

seafox

Nukesafe - based on her e-mail address I found it:

http://www.lescordelines.com

nukesafe

Thank you for taking the time, Seafox. The place looks lovely.

littlear

We would like to rent a canal barge and go on Canal Du Midi, self driving. Anyone have any info or experience. How many locks, do we man them ourselves, or is there help at the locks. What to see, what to do, for 7 days. thanks, little ar

Sarastro

All of the locks on the Canal du Midi are automated and are operated by VNF personal. Boaters need do nothing outside of maneuvering their own vessels. The number of locks through which you pass is completely dependent upon the route you choose.

Here is a list of reliable companies renting boats in this area:


http://www.franceafloat.com/
http://www.leboat.com/
http://www.locaboat.com/
http://www.nicols.com/
http://www.rive-de-france.com/

Along the Canal du Midi, Leboat is the biggest operator offering the largest combination of boats and routes.

jenmorg

Search on fodors for my trip report on self drive barge holiday on canal du midi in 2010. Highly recommend this trip.

jayhawkx2

Huizc: Did you take your walking trip? I'd love to hear how it was -- I'm planning a cycling trip, and am considering riding the Canal du Midi. What about the trees that another poster mentioned - had they been chopped down? I'd love to hear about the scenery, etc. Thanks!

bilboburgler

Jayhawkx2

There is a very good book on the bike ride published by Cicerone. I came across it in my local library and loved the little sketches that explain how to see the best bits. I aim to do my own bike route on the attached website but having seen this book I felt I could not beat it.

http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Cicerone_Guides.php

jayhawkx2

Thanks, bilboburgler - the book looks great! I've done more research about the diseased trees along the canal -- how sad! Knowing there's a good chance the plane trees will be gone in a few years makes me realize I should probably go now.

breevesms

Have a question on the towpaths. Can a car drive on the towpaths the length of the Midi?

We plan on renting a car for about a month in Europe. Would like to spend 5-7days on the Midi on a rented boat, but want to keep our rental car. We would like to have a bike with us, so park the car, put the bike on board, barge through numerous locks and then have one of us get on the bike, go back to get the car while putting the bike in the car and drive the car several miles past the docked boat and park it again, and then hop on the bike to get back to the barge.

Have barged the Burgundy Canal, and cars can travel the length of the canal on either the towpaths or an adjacent highway. is the same true for the Canal du Midi?

nukesafe

Can't help you about the Midi, but I was surprised that you found cars able to drive on the Burgundy towpaths. Nearby roads gave access to the locks, of course, but I do not recall cars on the towpath itself. Of course, my transit of the Burgundy Canal was many years ago. I was on the Saone more recently, and I do not recall vehicles other than bicycles on the towpath.

I hope someone with more recent knowledge will bring us up to date on this.