Baguettes, Boats and Bon Viveurs: Eat Your Way Through the South of France with Le Boat
Did you know France is home to more than 1,200 distinct regional cheeses and over 630 officially recognised regional food and wine products? Nowhere is this culinary heritage more alive than along the Canal du Midi, a 17th-century waterway winding through the heart of Languedoc. The Occitanie region, through which the Canal du Midi winds, produces over a third of all French wine, more than Bordeaux and Burgundy combined.
With Le Boat, holidaymakers can swap motorways for meandering waterways and enjoy a self-drive escape that pairs the pleasures of slow travel with the region’s most mouth-watering traditions, from cassoulet in Castelnaudary to sipping Minervois, Cabardès, Limoux or Corbières wines under the southern sun.
Flavours of the Canal du Midi
The Canal du Midi winds through one of France’s most bountiful culinary regions. Along the way, holidaymakers can sample:
- Cassoulet – A rustic, slow-cooked stew of white beans, duck confit, and sausage, best enjoyed at Hostellerie Etienne in Labastide d’Anjou.
- Tapenade & Olives – Visit the Olive Oil Cooperative L’Oulibo in Bize-Minervois and enjoy the region’s famed olive groves, which produce exceptional oils and savoury spreads perfect for snacking on deck.
- Artisanal Cheeses & Charcuterie – From Pelardon cheese to locally cured saucisse sèche, the markets are packed with picnic-perfect finds.
- Freshwater Fish & Mediterranean Seafood – Try perch from inland waters or seafood platters when cruising towards Étang de Thau or Agde, where the canal links to the coast.
- Regional Wines – The Occitanie region is the world’s largest wine-producing area. Stop for tastings in Minervois, Corbières or Limoux, and pair a crisp Picpoul de Pinet with a waterside lunch.
- Weekly Markets – Stop in towns like Béziers and Homps for wild herbs, lavender honey, and warm, crusty baguettes.
Wine and history at Château du Paraza
A standout stop is the exquisite Château de Paraza, a 17th-century hilltop estate overlooking the canal. The château is now a family-run luxury B&B offering elegant rooms and a tapas bar, making it a perfect spot for romantic wine-tasting getaways.
Just a short stroll away lies the heart of Paraza village and the beautiful Notre Dame de l’Assomption church, with its intricately painted nave, choir, and vaulted ceiling, a quiet spot to absorb the region’s artistic heritage.
Toulouse
Often the starting point for Le Boat’s Canal du Midi cruises, the “Pink City” offers a vibrant introduction to Occitanie’s flavours. Sample violet-infused sweets, stroll its historic markets, and don’t miss the locally loved Toulouse sausage.
Cruisers can also explore ancient Roman ruins, medieval cities, and grand châteaux that bring Occitanie’s rich history to life. Whether indulging in local delicacies, sipping a glass of wine, or simply drifting under the southern sun, every moment on the Canal du Midi delivers a true taste of authentic France.
A seven-night self-catered stay on the Canal Du Midi, starting and finishing at Le Boat’s base in Castelnaudary, on board a Cirrus B, sleeping five, arriving 26 September 2025, is priced from £989 per boat. No experience necessary. Transport to and from the base is not included.
Le Boat (023 9280 1630, www.leboat.com/en)
