Homps is a charming little village located 30 kilometers from Carcassonne, in the department of Aude in the Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées region. The Romans once crossed the region to transport tin. Nowadays, its port is still active for the transportation of wine. This city is a pleasant stopover for a trip to the south.
Magnificent walks in a green setting
If you are a wine lover, an oenological tour starting from the village is a must! A hike through the garrigue, vineyards, gorges and wooded areas to the town of Minerve awaits those who love great escapes. Your adventure will take you to the region's famous wine cellars, such as the Chai, revealing the extraordinary beauty of the site. Take advantage of your visit to Minerve to sample the specialties of the Aude region, such as fricandeau (pork stew), snails Languedoc-style and, of course, Minervois wine. Another must-do in the region is to take a river cruise along the Canal du Midi from Homps.
The landscapes from Homps to the city of Carcassonne are sure to take your breath away! Climb the city walls and discover its towers, castles and churches. What could be better than being lulled by so many marvels! If you prefer short walks, head for Lake Jouarres. Equally delightful, it is hauled in by the side of the boat of pine trees and vineyards. Once at the lake, you can veer off to fish, sail or even canoe. You can even have a little family picnic and relax at the side of the boat.
A little cultural visit
But Homps can also be discovered and appreciated through its historical heritage. The parish church of Notre-Dame deserves special attention. The church is one of the most beautiful buildings along the Canal du Midi. also worth discovering is the Romanesque chapel of Saint-Michel, dating from the 11th century, where knights of the Order of Hospitallers and monks of Malta succeeded one another. The Saint-Michel chapel now hosts art exhibitions. Finally, the Commanderie, built in the second half of the 12th century, can also be visited.
Make your stay in Lutzelbourg an extraordinary adventure
To make your stay perfect, don't hesitate to choose yacht charter in Lutzelbourg for an exciting cruise on the Marne-Rhine Canal. This will be a perfect opportunity to discover the beauty of the surrounding countryside, with its fertile land, ponds and forests. And if you are a fan of the philosophy of "all good things come in threes", you can also take the cycle path along the Rhine canal to reach Saverne, Sarrebourg or Strasbourg, this time by bike.
Want to end your stay on a high note? Take a stroll by the ruins of Lutzelbourg Castle, which was built around the 9th century. Alternatively, 4 km from the city, you can also immortalize the inclined plane of Arzviller, a one-of-a-kind boat elevator!
France river navigation Homps to West: 7 Days
Homps is a small, friendly village in Languedoc, a former stop on the Roman road. It is renowned for its wine and is also home to the Maison du Vin Minervois. The Roman heritage is therefore present, but there is a significant legacy of the orders of the Hospitallers and then the Knights of Malta (the tower and the chapel of the village). The Lac de Jouarnes and its water sports center provide relaxation and fun for the whole family.
Practical information
- Starting point: Homps
- Finishing point: Homps
- Total km: 130 km
- Total Hours: 21 hrs 37 mins
- Total Locks: 26 Locks
Summary of your itinerary
Homps >>> Palavas les Rising Tides (-1 km / -1 hr / -1 locks)
An extraordinary port of call, located in the bay of Aigues Morte, 10 minutes from Montpellier, the port of Palavas is at the heart of the resort. The canal lives to the rhythm of the sun and traditional fishing is still present. The Port of Palavas is at the point of environmental concerns, labeled as a "clean port", it offers boaters all the necessary equipment to respect the environment.
Palavas les Rising Tides >>> Argens-Minervois (-1 km / -1 hr / -1 locks)
Argens-Minervois is a French commune, located in the department of Aude and the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The village is crossed by the Canal du Midi. Its inhabitants are called the Argenais. Commune located in the Minervois on the Canal du Midi.
Argens-Minervois >>> Roubia (4 km / 0 hr 45 min / 1 lock)
You cross the Canal du Midi at Roubia via the Argens lock (which is the busiest on the canal). Because after the Canal is characterized by the absence of locks until Béziers. You can also see the Répudre aqueduct.
Roubia >>> Paraza (2 km / 0 hr 15 min / 0 Locks)
Paraza is a small village, but you can visit its very beautiful church in its small historic center: Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, as well as the Répudre canal deck.
Paraza >>> Le Somail (9 km / 1 hr 07 min / 0 locks)
Le Somail is a hamlet that gained its reputation in conjunction with the construction of the Canal du Midi. It was developed as a stopping place, in particular with the hamlet's inn, and a port specifically for this use. There is an old horseshoe-shaped stone deck, as well as the "glacière", a vaulted circular building with two levels separated by a floor (the only one remaining on the Canal du Midi).
Le Somail >>> Cuxac-d'Aude (2.5 km / 0 hr 18 min / 0 locks)
Cuxac-d'Aude is a French commune located in the department of Aude. The church of Saint-Martin, classified as a historical monument in 1983, is an interesting place to stop.
Cuxac-d'Aude >>> Capestang (19.5 km / 2 hrs 26 mins / 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 back after the terrible epidemic of the Black Death that ravaged France during the Middle Ages.
Capestang >>> Poilhes (6 km / 0 hr 45 min / 0 locks)
Poilhes is a small French village located below the oppidum of Ensérune. Close to the pond of Capestang, the banks laid out in the heart of the village allow for a stop in an authentic place. You can see the â??'orme de Sully (an ancient 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 >>> Malpas Tunnel (5 km / 0 hr 38 min / 0 Locks)
The Malpas tunnel was dug in 1679-1680 under the hill of Ensérune in the Hérault, to allow the Canal du Midi to pass through. It was the first tunnel to be dug to allow a canal to pass through. Length: 73m Width: 8.5m Height: 6m Beneath 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 for the drainage of themontady pond and a railway tunnel dug in the 19th century to allow passage of the Béziers-Narbonne railway line.
Malpas Tunnel >>> Colombiers (1 km / 0 hr 07 min / 0 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 Col du Malpas (three tunnels, including the famous Tunnel des Moines), the dry pond of Montady-Colmbiers and the church of Saint Sylvestre.
Colombiers >>> Béziers (8 km / 3 hrs 00 mins / 8 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 that takes place every August around the 15th and attracts around a million participants. The main tourist attractions in Béziers are the historic center and the 9 locks of Fonséranes, which have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Béziers >>> Villeneuve-Lès-Béziers (6 km / 1 hr 40 min / 3 Locks)
Villeneuve-Lès-Béziers has retained its authentic charm while being a dynamic town, very close to its big sister Béziers. The town is close to the Cévennes and the Haut Languedoc Regional Nature Park. The town hall organizes weekly activities for residents and visitors, ideal when you are short of ideas.
Villeneuve-Lès-Béziers >>> Homps (69 km / 12 h 36 min / 16 locks)
Homps is a small, friendly village in Languedoc, a former stop on the Roman road. It is renowned for its wine and is also home to the Maison du Vin Minervois. The Roman heritage is therefore present, but there is a significant legacy of the orders of the Hospitallers and then the Knights of Malta (the tower and chapel of the village). The Lac de Jouarnes and its water sports center provide an opportunity for relaxation and family fun.
Good to know
| Number of boats available | 1 190 |
|---|---|
| Average price per week | $2,436 |
| Minimum weekly price | $794 |
| Maximum price per week | $4,662 |