So...

My DH is a rower here in Canada and a few of them have been talking about participating in the Row du Midi in August. They row along the canal, have lunch, row some more, get the boat thru the locks, row some more, have dinner and hotel stay. Repeat each day for a week.

I was considering going along and riding the bike path along the Canal, but came across a website today about Narrow Boat rentals along the Midi. Hmmmm...maybe I can follow the rowers?

Has anyone ever done a Narrow Boat cruise along the canal? Was it difficult to manouver up/down the locks? Any thoughts or comments?

They are not called "narrow boats" in the European canals. Narrow boats are a special kind of craft specifically designed for the very narrow canals of Great Britain. The ones on the Canal du Midi are wider and more comfortable, IMO.

Here is a link to many of the canal boat hire firms online:
http://www.connoisseurafloat.com/ind...h0bWw6OnVrOjo=

The Canal du Midi is in the south of France, as I'm sure you know, and the route for the canal cruiser can really be a lovely one.

To answer your question; yes, you could follow the rowers, and even use your vessel as sort of a "home base", but the canal boat rentals are usually for a specific length of time, and the boat must be delivered back to the point of rental, or a specific other "port" along the route. It might be difficult to coordinate that schedule to that of the rowers. Only checking with the rental firm could determine the how practical that might be.

I'm sure you would have a wonderful time, whatever you decide.

anita63 - My age!
My husband and I did a spot of narrowboating in England and as Nukesafe says, it's a bit different in France. There they call them Noddyboats. Or, you can rent a huge barge with chef and all!

About a Narrow or Noddy boat. You can't handle this on your own. With two, one has to steer and one has to regularly jump off and on the boat to see it through the locks. In France I believe it's not so bad as they have people doing that for you but you still have to tie up when in a lock.
It nearly killed me.

Thank you both for your replies...It does help!

Thanks!!

There are indeed <I>Narrow Boats</I> of English origin found along the Canal du Midi. Should you be interested in one, here is the link:

http://www.minervoiscruisers.com/english/main/

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The company once know as Connoisseur is no longer. Connoisseur was merged into Le Boat along with Crown Blue and Emerald Star. The new website is here:

http://www.leboat.com/

There are other reputable rental companies operating in this region as well:

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

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These boats are indeed best operated by at least two people. One usually operates the boat and the second secures it.

There are small boat operators along the canal, at least one near Béziers of which I recall which would be an option for you if the race passes by this far east.

We have used Crown Blue, now Le Boat.

We went Port Cassafieres to St. Giles.
It was 7 days one way.

The experience was alot of fun and would do it again.