Suggested cruising options Somail*

A Mediterranean boating holiday on the inland waterways

Le Somail: Ice house cooler dating back to 1684, "Le Trouve-tout du livre" bookstore and its 50,000 books for sale!

Argeliers: Castle of the 12th century classified as “historic monument”

Malpas: Tunnel of Malpas, old pond of Montady (now dried up to an amazing shape), “oppidum d’Ensérunnes”: one of the largest archaeological sites in France; remains of Greek, Roman and Celtic civilization

Colombiers: charming half circle port, old wine cellar

Fonserannes: “Staircase of 9 locks” a unique site in France, small tourist train to Beziers (summer months)

Béziers: Beziers canal bridge – worth it for the view!, Saint-Nazaire cathedral, arts museum and Biterrois

Port Cassafières: Ranch les Gaillardels for horse riding, wetland walks, access to Portiragnes beaches (4km away), Azimut Adventures for tree climbing and canyoning

Vias: Wine tasting, church of St. John the Baptist, Vias beach (1km away), Europark (the biggest indoor fairground in France)

Agde: a unique round lock, Agde museum, Cap d’Agde beaches (4km away)

Marseillan: Guided tours of the wine cellars including the famous Noilly Prat (vermouth), shuttlebus to the beach

Mèze: Penitents chapel, Château de Girard, Visit of oyster bed by boat, beaches, le Dinosaures Parc museum

Bouzigues: capital of oyster and mussel production, museum about shellfish of the region, boat trips to the oyster beds

Sète: Richelieu citadel, International Museum of Modest Arts, Espace Georges-Brassens, Audio-guided tours in the city, famous Languedoc games such as boat-jousting

Frontignan: walks through the surrounding vineyards, 7km of beaches, St Paul fortified church, Museum of local history
Villeneuve-les-Maguelone: 9km of beaches, scenic tourist train route, Abbey of Maguelonne, Roman cathedral, Old streets
Palavas les Flots: Albert Dubout comedy museum, steam train museum, Festivals in the summer, famous Languedoc games such as boat-jousting, casino

Carnon-Plage: sand dunes beach

Grau du Roi: beaches, Seaquarium, Maritime Museum, Palais de la Mer leisure centre, Les Salins du Midi salt pans

Aigues-Mortes: walk around the 13th century ramparts and five towers, Museum of history and archaeology, Church of Notre-Dame

Gallician: vineyards and wine cellars, Scamander Nature Reserve, raised trail for walks across the marshes

Franquevaux: Horse-drawn carriage rides in the heart of Camargue, meet manadiers (wild horse herders) and learn about their work

Saint Gilles: The abbey (a UNESCO site), Museum of the Romanesque House

Bellegarde: makers of Clairette de Bellegarde white wine, Broussan chapel, Oil mill, Roman aqueduct

On reaching Bellegarde your boating holiday on the Canal du Midi has come to an end. You can return your canal boat to the Nicols base.