River Cruise Agde

For a cruise on the Canal du Midi under an azure blue sky, set off to discover Agde and the Mediterranean Sea. The river yacht charter in Agde promises a long voyage of discovery, combining the pleasures of the sea with sporting activities.

Cruise from Agde

Whether for a day or more, river yacht charter in Agde holds countless surprises in store. With family, friends or as a couple, discover this beautiful southern city, nestled between the Mediterranean, the Hérault river and the Canal du Midi. To go up the river, leave the sea and discover the marina, opposite the islet of Fort Brescou. You can reach the rocky coast and the volcanic city by cruising houseboat before dropping anchor at the foot of the cliffs for a swimming and relaxation break on the black sand beach of the Grande Conque. Characterized by a volcanic climate, the area offers a superb sunset.

Sailing itinerary for a yacht charter in Agde

From Grau d'Agde, on the left bank of the Hérault, there are several sailing itineraries to help you appreciate the town and its surroundings. If you head up the cape, you won't miss the fish auction market. Haul in along the Canal du Midi by entering through the round lock. Gently descend the passage of the Prades and Bagnas Locks on board a yacht charter, and continue towards the nature reserve. The sailing itinerary can take you as far as the Étang de Thau, the largest lake in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. This is the perfect place for shellfish, and you can sample the best mussels and oysters for which the region is famous, accompanied by wines from the South.

Follow in the footsteps of the old mariners and discover the maritime heritage from Agde to the town of Sète. You can also attend evening concerts on the floating stage in the heart of the town.

Sailing itineraries on the Canal du Midi from Agde to the West: 7 days

Agde is a French commune in the department of Hérault and the region of Languedoc-Roussillon. The town of Agde, sometimes called "the black pearl of the Mediterranean" because of its monuments built in basalt stone, has a long history. Founded in the 6th century BC by Phocaeans from Marseille, it was the seat of a bishopric from the year 500 until the Revolution. From the early thirteenth century, the city was administered by Consuls, a precursor to modern municipalities, rather than by the bishop, who had held the temporal power of the viscounty of Agde since the twelfth century. A port city since Antiquity, favored towards the end of the 17th century by the opening of the Canal du Midi, Agde derived most of its income from maritime trade and fishing for a long time. The city suffered the decline of its port on the Hérault, five kilometers from the sea, outclassed by that of Sète as soon as steamships arrived.

Practical information

• Starting point: Agde
• Arrival point: Agde
• Total km: 149 km
• Total hours: 26 hours, 6 minutes
• Total number of locks: 24 locks

Summary of your sailing itinerary from Agde

Agde >>> Vias (4 km / 0 h 30 min / 0 Locks)

Vias is a French commune in the department of Hérault (Languedoc-Roussillon). Vias is located close to Béziers and is virtually linked to Vias-Plage, which touches the seabed. Located about 10 minutes from Agde by car, Vias is a small wine-growing village with a strong historical heritage and six beacon-marked mountain bike trails.

Vias >>> Portiragnes (5 km / 0 hr 37 min / 0 locks)

In Portiragnes you will appreciate its heritage, its beach, its folklore and its traditions, which make it a village where life is good. Don't miss the archaeological museum (remains dating from the Neolithic period).

Portiragnes >>> Villeneuve-Lès-Béziers (8 km / 1 hr 15 min / 1 lock)

Villeneuve-Lès-Béziers has retained its authentic charm while remaining a dynamic town, very close to its big sister Béziers. The town is close to the Cévennes and the Haut Languedoc Regional Natural Park. The town hall offers weekly activities for its residents and people passing through the town, ideal when you're out of ideas.

Villeneuve-Lès-Béziers >>> Béziers (6 km / 1 hr 40 min / 3 Locks)

Béziers is a French commune located in the department of Hérault (Languedoc-Roussillon). Béziers is famous for its wine, rugby union and the feria, a festival held every summer around August 15th that attracts around a million participants. The main tourist attractions in Béziers are the historic center and the nine locks of Fonséranes, which have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Béziers >>> Colombiers (8 km / 3 hrs / 8 locks)

Colombiers (Colombièrs in Occitan) is a commune in the Hérault department at the foot of the ancient oppidum of Ensérune and in a meander of the Canal du Midi. This small town has many tourist and cultural attractions to offer: the cellar of the castle, the Malpas pass (three tunnels, including the famous tunnel des moins) the dry pond of Montady-Colmbiers and the church of Saint Sylvestre.

Colombiers >>> Malpas Tunnel (1 km / 0 hr 7 min / 0 locks)

The Malpas tunnel was dug in 1679-1680 under the hill of Ensérune in the Hérault, to allow the passage of the Canal du Midi. It was the first tunnel to be dug to allow the passage of a canal. Length: 73m Width: 8.5m Height: 6m Under the Malpas tunnel are two other tunnels whose paths cross (at different levels), a gallery dating from the 13th century that was dug to allow the drainage of the Etang de Montady and a railway tunnel dug in the 19th century to allow passage for the Béziers-Narbonne railway line.

Malpas Tunnel >>> Poilhes (5 km / 0 hr 38 min / 0 Locks)

Poilhes is a small French village located below the Ensérune oppidum. Close to the Capestang lake, the banks laid out in the heart of the village allow a stop in an authentic place. You can see the Sully elm (a venerable shaft planted in 1608), as well as Roman remains. Curiously, there are two English cannons on display on the bank of the Canal du Midi.

Poilhes >>> Capestang (6 km / 0 hr 45 min / 0 locks)

Capestang is an Occitan and rugby land, but it is also the jewel of the Languedoc wine-growing plain. The castle of the archbishops of Narbonne (their summer residence) and the collegiate church of Saint Étienne are other attractions of the town. The town's bell tower rises to a height of 43 meters and dominates the town. Its ambitious construction was scaled down after the terrible epidemic of the Black Death that ravaged France during the Middle Ages.

Capestang >>> Cuxac-d'Aude (19.5 km / 2 hrs 26 mins / 0 locks)

Cuxac-d'Aude is a French commune in the department of Aude. The church of Saint-Martin, listed as a historic monument in 1983, is well worth a visit.

Cuxac-d'Aude >>> Le Somail (2.5 km / 0 hr 18 min / 0 locks)

Le Somail is a hamlet that gained its reputation in conjunction with the construction of the Canal du Midi. It developed as a stopping place, in particular with the hamlet's inn, and a port specifically for this use. There is an old humpback stone deck, as well as "the icehouse", which is a vaulted circular building with two levels separated by a floor (the only one remaining on the Canal du Midi).

Le Somail >>> Paraza (9 km / 1 hr 07 min / 0 locks)

Paraza is a small village, but you can visit its beautiful church in the small historic center: Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, as well as the Répudre canal bridge.

Paraza >>> Agde (75 km / 10 hrs 223 mins / 12 locks)

Agde is a French commune located in the department of Hérault and in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The town of Agde, sometimes called "the black pearl of the Mediterranean" because of its monuments built in basalt stone, has a long history. Founded in the 6th century BC by Phocaeans from Marseille, it was the seat of a bishopric from the year 500 until the Revolution. From the early thirteenth century, the city was administered by Consuls, a precursor to modern municipalities, rather than by the bishop, who had held the temporal power of the viscounty of Agde since the twelfth century. A port city since Antiquity, favored towards the end of the 17th century by the opening of the Canal du Midi, Agde derived most of its income from maritime trade and fishing for a long time. The city suffered the decline of its port on the Hérault, five kilometers from the sea, outclassed by that of Sète as soon as steamships arrived.

Sailing itineraries on the Canal du Midi from Agde to the East: 7 days

Practical information

• Departure base: Agde
• Arrival base: Le Agde
• Total km: 200 km
• Total hours: 26 hrs 10 mins
• Total number of locks: 6 locks

Summary of your sailing itinerary from Agde

Agde >>> Les Onglous (8 km / 1 hr 58 min / 3 locks)

The Pointe des Onglous is a locality, and it is at this point that the canal joins the pond. A lighthouse beacons the exit from the canal, and for good reason, as there are a number of shipwrecks whose hulls have been taken over by mussels. For nature lovers, a hiking trail runs along the Pointe des Onglous.

The Onglous >>> Marseillan (1 km / 0 hr 5 min / 0 Locks)

Marseillan is a typical fishing village in the region because it is located on the sides of the Thau lagoon while retaining its Mediterranean characteristics. The history of the village is marked by the arrival of the Greeks on the coast, then Roman rule and all the other forms of cultural mix that the region has experienced since then. Its inhabitants have been able to take advantage of the natural resources offered by the lake or the vines. In summer, pleasure boaters come to the shores of the lake to relax and enjoy the milder heat.

Marseillan >>> Méze (9 km / 0 hr 45 min / 0 locks)

Mèze is the oldest village in the Bassin de Thau, founded by the Phocaeans in the 6th century BC. Successively a refuge, trading post and place of residence, the town has known a number of occupations. Long confined to agriculture and fishing, the economy of Méze opened up to maritime trade around the 16th century. There is an unparalleled wealth of heritage here, and you can take advantage of it (recent archaeological excavations, museums) as well as tasting the local oysters.

Méze >>> Bouzigues (5 km / 0 hr 25 min / 0 locks)

The birthplace of shellfish farming, Bouzigues is a charming little village that lives mainly from oyster and mussel farming and the growing tourism. A small, typically Mediterranean fishing village, Bouzigues has managed to retain its traditions and old-world charm. Don't miss a visit to the Étang de Thau museum.

Bouzigues >>> Sète (2 km / 0 hr 10 min / 0 locks)

Sète was founded three centuries ago around the port created by Colbert's decision to open up Languedoc to the Mediterranean. The port is magnificent, with its cargo ships, trawlers and sailboats; it is located in the heart of the city. As you walk along the quays and cross some of the fourteen decks, you will encounter the entire Mediterranean. Séte is also famous for its marine cemetery and its illustrious guests, not to mention the Nationale road that connects it to Paris. Entrance to the port from the west.

Sète >>> Frontignan (6 km / 0 hr 45 min / 0 locks)

Frontignan-la-Peyrade and its inhabitants have been intimately and passionately anchored to the Mediterranean for several centuries, first as a fishing port, then as a commercial port and now as a marina. 600 berths.

Frontignan >>> Carnon (22 km / 2 hrs 55 mins / 0 locks)

At the gateway to the Petite Camargue, the pretty port of Carnon undeniably benefits from a microclimate and a conviviality that have made it famous. Its port facilities, particularly well sheltered from the sea, fully meet all requirements in terms of quality and nautical comfort. Port with 700 berths.

Carnon >>> Aigues-Mortes (20 km / 2 hrs 30 mins / 0 Locks)

Aigues-Mortes is a town steeped in history (like the whole region, for that matter), an ancient medieval city with a still very much present fortified enclosure. Les Salins (salt production and harvesting) is a magnificent visit between salt and sea, in a wild and still unspoiled natural environment. Around a street corner, you will find cellars with a wide choice of wine.

Aigues-Mortes >>> Gallician (12 km / 1 hr 40 min / 0 locks)

Gallician is a hamlet in the municipality of Vauvert, located at the foot of the Costières plateau. Gallician lives mainly from wine growing (Costières-de-Nîmes), to which we can add fishing and "sagne", which is the cutting of reeds. The Scamandre regional nature reserve is not far away, perfect for a peaceful stroll away from the summer hustle and bustle.

Gallician >>> Saint-Gilles (15 km / 1 hr 52 min / 0 locks)

Saint-Gilles is the 5th largest town in the department of Gard in terms of population. The town is one of the 75 municipalities that are members of the Territorial Coherence Scheme (SCOT) for southern Gard (see link) and is also one of the 41 municipalities in the Garrigues Costières region. Finally, the town is a member of the Joint Association for the Protection and Management of the Gard Camargue, along with 7 other municipalities in the south of the department. Saint-Gilles-du-Gard can be reached via the D572 from Arles in the east and the D672 from Vauvert in the west. The D42 connects the town to Nîmes and Nîmes-Garons Airport, the nearest airport, in the north.

Saint-Gilles >>> Agde (100 km / 13 hrs 05 mins / 3 Locks)

Agde is a French commune in the department of Hérault and the region of Languedoc-Roussillon. The town of Agde, sometimes called "the black pearl of the Mediterranean" because of its monuments built in basalt stone, has a long history. Founded in the 6th century BC by Phocaeans from Marseille, it was the seat of a bishopric from the year 500 until the Revolution. From the early thirteenth century, the city was administered by Consuls, a precursor to modern municipalities, rather than by the bishop, who had held the temporal power of the viscounty of Agde since the twelfth century. A port city since Antiquity, favored towards the end of the 17th century by the opening of the Canal du Midi, Agde derived most of its income from maritime trade and fishing for a long time. The city suffered the decline of its port on the Hérault, five kilometers from the sea, outclassed by that of Sète as soon as steamships arrived.

Practical information for a yacht charter in Agde

How do you choose a river boat for sailing in Agde?

We offer a wide range of riverboats for charter from Agde for sailing on the Canal du Midi. Some ranges are more comfortable, such as Horizon or Pénichettes, but they are available at higher prices. The smallest river boats have 2 cabins, so you can easily go on a cruise for two! However, it is not possible to sail alone because maneuvering when hauling in the side of the boat requires two people on board.

Another advantage of the yacht charter in Agde is that you don't need a license. A 30-minute training session at the departure base will enable you to quickly take control of the boat. With an average speed of 8 km/h and simple maneuvers, driving a river boat without a license does not present any particular difficulties.

This is one of the advantages of river cruises, which Robert greatly appreciated when he went on a trip with his family on the Canal du Midi with Filovent: "It's great because when you arrive at the base, they show you how to maneuver the boat in 20 minutes and you can set off straight away. It gives you a very pleasant feeling of freedom".

What are the rates for a yacht charter in Agde?

The table below gives you an idea of the average prices for a river cruise in Agde, for a period of one week. Note that these prices are a dead reckoning and may vary depending on several factors (season, model and size of the boat).

For more information on prices and yacht charter, please don't hesitate to contact our team of advisors!

The locks you will encounter during your navigation close-hauled to Agde

With its 240 kilometers of waterways and 63 locks, the Canal du Midi offers boaters a wonderful place to navigate for a river trip. All the locks are electric. Some are single, double or triple, with chambers connected by intermediate doors.

The locks on the Canal du Midi are guarded by lock keepers who control the gates, but it's up to you to do the necessary maneuvering! When he told me about his experience of a yacht charter with Filovent, Raymond Csurda explained that you have to be patient when passing through locks, especially during the summer period. He adds that it is important to be in good physical condition: "Booking a cruise on the Canal du Midi allows you to discover the manual locks. In fact, there are no automatic locks. You have to get off the boat, go to the bank and go and see the lock keeper while another member of the crew maneuvers the boat."

Opening hours of the locks on the Canal du Midi

Why rent a boat in Agde?

For all those who love river navigation, river cruises on a river boat along the Canal du Midi are a must for European river tourism! Navigating along the canal on a license-free boat offers a unique opportunity to discover picturesque villages and Mediterranean landscapes full of vineyards and pine trees. Over 300 years old, the Canal du Midi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the largest historical construction sites in France and was undertaken at the end of the 17th century by Pierre-Paul Riquet. Even today, the round and oval locks of the canal dating from that period continue to serve pleasure boaters aboard their comfortable river boats. Agde is the ideal starting point for exploring the Canal du Midi!

With family or friends, a yacht charter from Agde will give you the opportunity to enjoy multiple stopovers near villages to stock up or for the purpose of discovery. License-free boats are equipped with ropes and stakes that allow you to berth along the river for picnics or bike rides.