We are cruising the Canal du Midi in late June/early July (Pt Cassafieres to Castelnaudary) and have s flight out of Carcassone after the cruise end. We are looking for accomodation in the area (doesn't have to be in Carcassone, but would prefer it's not too far from the airport). Looking for someplace a little special for a birthday....5 of us includes 3 kids (10,13,16)...I have seen Le Domaine d'Auriac and have enquired about rates but was wondering about other places that might be just as special..thanks

I'm not sure about their accommodations for such a large group, but we just stayed in Carcassone last Thursday night. Two of us had a beautiful room for 80+ euros at La Maison sur Colline. It's a b&b which I usually shy away from, but it was a great value for the price. It's about 2km from the walled town.
We had requested the "blue room" which turned out to be large, beautifully decorated, and had a gigantic bathroom. They also cooked a lovely breakfast.

You must check out Le Donjon (http://www.hotel-donjon.fr/anglais/presentationD.html), a Best Western hotel inside the medieval city of Carcassone. Your children will love it, you will love it. My husband and I were there in March on a freezing cold, windy day and it was still magical.

Linda

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I saw your note regarding the Canal du Midi and was hoping to get some insight from you. We are a family of 4 (kids are 12 and 17) planning a canal trip for June 2006. We have several choices of locations to pick up the boat. We will be travelling for 4 days and are hoping to pack as many sights as possible into those days. Our options for picking up the boat are basins near: Montpellier, Castelnaudry, Narbonne, or Nimes. I'm wondering which area you visited and what you would recommend.

Also, do you have any thoughts on the boat? We have a choice of a Riviera or a Pinochette.

Thanks so much for your help.

Mary