Thursday, 11 December 2014

Discover the rich history of the Canal du Midi

You would always expect us here at La Souqueto B&B to wax lyrical about the many beautiful and fascinating attractions of the Languedoc. It is, after all, one of the parts of the France with the richest historical and cultural inheritance. Much of that revolves around the region's centuries-old status as a winemaking centre, although it was another trade - wheat - that motivated the construction of one of the present day area's most remarkable assets.

That asset is, of course, the simply unparalleled Canal du Midi. It is easily reachable for those staying at La Souqueto B&B, with Canal du Midi boat tours being offered on the recently restored Broom Mahogany Broads cruiser, Bella Mia. Whether you rent the boat as a residence moored to the bank or instead make the most of the opportunity for day trips, you'll have plenty of time to marvel at the simply idyllic scenery.

Canal du Midi boat tours are available for those booking a stay at La Souqueto B&B between April and October, and offer the perfect opportunity to uncover the length and breadth of this astonishing construction. You may opt for a three hour tour with lunch or remain on the water for a full day. Evening trips, complete with wine and nibbles, are another possibility.

However, our Canal du Midi boat tours aren't merely for enjoying a bit of scenic opulence - they're also for getting  a sense of the majesty of this astonishing meeting of the manmade with nature. Snaking some 241 kilometres (150 miles) through Southern France, this long canal was built between 1666 and 1681 - during the reign of Louis XIV - under the supervision of Pierre-Paul Riquet.

The result was nothing less than remarkable, and the feat continues to be appreciated to this day - not merely by those paying a visit on their holidays to this gorgeous part of France. One of the oldest European canals still in operation, the Canal du Midi was inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The Canal may no longer be used to transport goods, as was the case in its heyday until the arrival of the railways hastened its demise in this respect. However, it remains a star attraction for almost anyone taking in the Languedoc and surrounding areas as holidaymakers. We are proud to offer Canal du Midi boat tours here at La Souqueto B&B; contact us now for more information.

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