Hello Travelmates, My husband and I (seniors) are planning a 8 to 10 night-trip around Canal du Midi starting Mar 20th 2026 (for the low cost, low tourists' presence and for the somewhat warmer weather). We do not plan to drive, using mostly French vast public transportation from train, trams/ buses or if needed uber. The order would be: First stop will be Narbonne (for les Grands Buffets!) & for a visit to Gruissan. On our bucket list is Bordeaux (for a tour to St Emilion). Here are our questions: A - Are 3 to 4 nights enough in each of these 2 cities? B - Should we use Narbonne as our base for Carcassonne day tour? C - suggestions on any other nearby cities along Canal du Midi to spend a few nights? D - Are there any boat tour along the Canal at the end of March? Many Thanks in Advance.
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France Southwest
3322 posts
You already got some answers in your previous message.
The number of days you stay somewhere depends mainly on you and your planned activities. Whether Narbonne or Bordeaux, you could spend a week in each place and have plenty to do with sightseeing and day trips.
Narbonne is a good base for going to Carcassonne, as I already mentioned in my other reply, providing details. Did you read it?
Regarding the Canal du Midi, its main appeal is renting your own boat. You won't need a permit (they show you how to navigate the canal), and you can take a multi-day trip. But for a half-day or full-day organized tour on the canal, the season generally doesn't start until early April. Check with the local tourist office to see if a tour company starts earlier.
You can also check out the Canal du Midi website, Narbonne section:
https://www.canal-du-midi.com/en/explore/stopover-towns/narbonne/
There aren't many towns along the canal west of Narbonne. The main ones are Castelnaudary, famous for its cassoulet (which you can find elsewhere, and according to the local press at the Grands Buffets in Narbonne since March of this year. But Castelnaudary doesn't require more than 1 day. Then there's Carcassonne, and of course Toulouse, the Pink City, the fourth largest city in France, which requires at least three to four days to visit.
There are a few nice spots along the canal, but without a car, you won't be able to get there anyway.
Other interesting information, including an interactive map of transport options in the Occitanie region:
https://www.visit-occitanie.com/en/rail-tour/
By the way, note that Uber has a very limited presence in small towns, and is practically nonexistent in rural areas. If you need to take a taxi, I recommend taking a regular taxi.