Thinking about canal boat tours in the Bordeaux, Gascony, Carcassonne region next fall. Any suggestions? Or is it just best to rent a car and dawdle along? Thanks!
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7360 posts
Are you thinking about a boat tour from a company that’s doing doing the piloting of the boat? A day tour, or multiple days/nights? You can rent a boat a cruise the canal, such as the Canal du Midi with Carcassone), and dawdle along on the water.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
I am thinking of piloted boat with under 12-14 passengers? Multiple nights depending on area.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7360 posts
For what it’s worth, more than 20 years ago, we rented a (slow) boat and piloted it ourselves. Some of my account, and others’, was in this Rick Steves Forum posting: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/to-the-west/canal-boat-trip-france-oui-or-non
I was curious, and came across these current luxury offerings - one boat for just 4 passengers and one for up to 6, and it’s priced accordingly. Sorry if I’m not getting it, but is your under 12-14 referring to the number of people, or the ages of some of them? https://frenchcanalboatcompany.com/prices-and-inclusions-23-24/
Posted by
France Southwest
1817 posts
Multi-day boat tours on the canals are done by piloting the boat yourself.
To my knowledge, there is no such thing as a "mini cruise" tour for 10 or more passengers with staff on board on the Canal du Midi which connects Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea via Carcassonne.
In my opinion if it exists it must be boring as hell compared to what you can do and see by renting a car or your own small boat (you will receive a mini training and advices on getting through the locks) .