Rivers and canals of the Midi

Rivers and canals of the Midi –this is an association of three regions with the aim of maintaining and promoting the 800 km of inland waterways in South West France: a whole network linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.

Built in the 17th century, the Canal du Midi – leading to the Mediterranean - was joined in the 19th century by the canal running alongside the Garonne River - today called the Canal de Garonne, leading to the Atlantic – at a time when river traffic for the transport of goods was very busy.

Nowadays barges loaded with foodstuffs are rare and have been replaced by river tourism with boats that do not require a licence, breathing new life into these waterways.

Take the time to discover the landscapes as you sail along, stop off in a village and visit the area by bike, meet the craftsmen who work there, do some shopping for dinner, or choose an interesting restaurant… Boat trips in the peace and quiet and beauty of protected nature.

The charms of a river holiday are as varied as you want them to be. The types of boat trips themselves are manifold: an outing for a few hours, a longer trip for a few days in full freedom, or a barge-hotel for a river cruise.

Whether it is for a weekend or a week, the Canal de Garonne and the Lot and Baïse Rivers offer a network of 197 km of navigable waterways with restored riverbanks, modernised locks, and specially developed mooring points.

Oh, the charm of those picturesque riverbanks …

To find out the quality of the water in all swimming areas (ocean and freshwater) in the départements of Aquitaine, visit the website of the Ministry of Health: http://baignades.sante.gouv.fr