Castelnaudary has a lot to offer its visitors. Straddling the cities of Toulouse and Carcassonne, Castelnaudary is the world capital of cassoulet. Part of the department of Aude in the Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées region, Castelnaudary is also known as the site of the inauguration of the Canal du Midi in 1681.
A gourmet trip to Castelnaudary
It is well known that the reason for the reputation of the town of Castelnaudary is its famous cassoulet. Fancy a gastronomic getaway? Then set off to meet the producers of this Aude commune during your stay. It will be an opportunity to discover the region, its know-how and its landscapes. Remember to bring back local products so that you can try your hand at making this famous dish. Wine lovers will also be delighted to find famous cellars, such as Malepère and Cabardès, offering a wide choice of wines.
Interesting activities to do during your yacht charter in Castelnaudary
But Castelnaudary is not just famous for its cassoulet. It also has other treasures to show you. For example, its port is set in beautiful green surroundings that give the town a special charm. What's more, it has all the amenities you could need, including a river office and various services. This brings a certain comfort to boaters passing through the city, who can, without hesitation, opt for yacht charter in Castelnaudary. The port is also an ideal point of departure for your walks along the famous Canal du Midi. There are many interesting sailing itineraries to follow from the port.
From Castelnaudary, admire the spectacular scenery of the Canal du Midi before reaching the medieval city of Carcassonne. You can also sail to Lake Saint-Férréol, where relaxation, windsurfing, pedalos and canoeing await you! The heritage of Castelnaudary In addition to these activities and the gastronomic journey, add to your program the discovery of the cultural heritage of Castelnaudary. Built in the 13th century, the Collégiale Saint-Michel is particularly noteworthy for its Gothic architecture. Further on, the majestic Notre-Dame de Pitié chapel comes into view. The Moulin de Cugarel, the Abbaye Saint-Papoul, the Présidial... beautiful ancient architecture transforms the town into a magnificent little open-air museum!
Practical information for a yacht charter in Castelnaudary
How do you choose a river boat to sail in Castelnaudary?
We offer a wide range of riverboats for charter from Castelnaudary to navigate the Canal du Midi. Some ranges are more comfortable, such as the Horizon or the 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 navigate alone because maneuvering to haul in the locks requires two people on board.
Another advantage of the yacht charter in Castelnaudary is that you don't need a license. A 30-minute training session at the departure base will get you up to speed in no time. With an average speed of 8 km/h and simple maneuvers, driving a river boat without a license is not particularly difficult.
This is also one of the advantages of river cruises, as Robert discovered 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 Castelnaudary?
The table below gives you an idea of the average prices for a river cruise in Castelnaudary, 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!
| Type of river boat | High Season July and August | Mid-Season June and September | Low Season April, May and October |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 cabins | 2,000 USD | 1,500 USD | 1,000 USD |
| 3 cabins | 3,000 USD | 2,000 USD | 1,500 USD |
| 4 cabins | 3,500 USD | 3,000 USD | 2,000 USD |
The locks you will encounter during your navigation close-hauled to Castelnaudary
With its 240 kilometers of waterways and 63 locks, the Canal du Midi offers pleasure 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
| March, April and October | 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m |
| May to September | 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m |
Why rent a boat in Castelnaudary?
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! Sailing along the canal on board 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. Castelnaudary is the ideal starting point for exploring the Canal du Midi!
With family or friends, a yacht charter from Castelnaudary will give you the opportunity to enjoy multiple stopovers near villages to stock up or for the purpose of discovery. Licence-free boats are equipped with ropes and stakes that allow you to berth along the river for picnics or bike rides.
Good to know
| Number of boats available | 1 193 |
|---|---|
| Average price per week | $2,406 |
| Minimum weekly price | $785 |
| Maximum price per week | $4,612 |