Cruising the canals is one of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of the region The Canal du Midi, begun in 1666, with the vision of Pièrre-Paul Riquet, to originally enable the transport of wood, sand, wheat and wine from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, is now a World Heritage Site. It traverses some of the most beautiful scenery in France meandering through vineyards dotted with olive groves and castles. From le Somail, basking in the sunshine 15kms from the mediterranean in the south of France, cruise westwards through the locks towards the amazing medieval city of Carcassonne stopping for wine-tasting in the many chateaux along the way. Or cruise lock-free eastwards towards Béziers calling at the market at Capestang or the restaurants at Colombiers. The beautiful Roman city of Narbonne lies along the Canal de la Robine embranchment of the Canal du Midi and from there a short train-ride takes you to the beaches of Port-Leucate.   Narbonne Ventenac Lock on the Robine   Local restaurant   Le Somail