The department of Aude conceals a mythical city that abounds with precious treasures. A land of art and history, Narbonne will never cease to amaze you! Let this city in the Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées region tell you about its marvels through its historical, cultural and natural heritage!
Narbonne: a fascinating land
Narbonne has some great stories to tell and magnificent monuments to amaze you! It is like a majestic open-air museum that you won't forget in a hurry. The first Roman foundation in France, the town is home to countless monuments dating from that period. Wandering through the town, you will discover an impressive medieval ensemble, such as its prestigious archbishops' palace. The palace houses the town hall and the museum of art and archaeology. At its feet are scattered the remains of the ancient Domitian Way.
Nearby, the cathedral of Narbonne, dating from 1272, a precious example of French Gothic architecture, also merits special attention. Want to discover the remains of the Roman Empire? Head for the Horreum. Explore underground galleries dating from the 1st century BC. To complete your historical adventure, wander through the streets to the church of Notre-Dame-de-Lamourguier, which houses the lapidary museum.
Rent a boat in Narbonne to see natural sites of great beauty
In addition to being a city of history, Narbonne boasts an exceptional natural heritage. Located in the heart of the Narbonnaise Regional Nature Park, the area remains a magnificent haven of peace. A hike in the unspoiled Fontfroide massif will take you through a beautiful landscape of ponds, lagoons and vineyards. And if you want to dive into the heart of authentic and wild nature, head to the Clape massif. This will be an opportunity for you to observe the region's unique flora, such as centaury, and abundant fauna.
The view of the sea from the massif is spectacular! In addition to all these tourist attractions in Narbonne, there is the extraordinary La Robine canal, which adds a poetic touch to the city. Yacht charter in Narbonne will allow sailing enthusiasts to marvel at its beauty. Follow the canal to the sea for swimming, water-skiing and windsurfing. These seaside activities will spice up your vacation!
Practical information for a yacht charter in Narbonne
How do you choose a river boat for sailing in Narbonne?
We offer a wide range of riverboats for charter from Narbonne for cruising on the Canal du Midi. Some ranges are more comfortable, such as Horizon or Pénichettes, but are available at higher prices. The smallest river boats have two cabins, so you can easily go on a cruise for two! However, it is not possible to navigate alone because maneuvering to haul the boat in and out of the locks requires two people on board.
Another advantage of yacht charter in Narbonne 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 one of the advantages of river cruises, which Robert greatly appreciated when he went on a family trip 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 Narbonne?
The table below gives you an idea of the average prices for a river cruise in Narbonne, 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 Narbonne
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
| 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 to 7 p.m |
Why rent a boat in Narbonne?
For all those who love river navigation, a river cruise on a barge or "penichette" on the Canal du Midi is a must for European river tourism! Sailing along the canal on the side of a boat without a license 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. Narbonne is the ideal starting point for exploring the Canal du Midi!
With family or friends, a yacht charter from Narbonne will give you the opportunity to enjoy multiple stopovers near villages to stock up on supplies 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 | 1 240 |
|---|---|
| Average price per week | $2,465 |
| Minimum weekly price | $804 |
| Maximum price per week | $4,719 |