The ideal holiday in France depends largely on your area of interest. Are you looking for complete rest, adrenaline rushes on the ski slopes or the lazy tranquillity of a canal trip? The beauty of France is that it offers all these options and more. All weathers. All terrains. All sports. South for sunny glamour; East and South and South West for caving and skiing: summer and winter alike, activities abound. To the Pyrenees for history and food, discover the origins of man in the pre-historic caves around Toulouse followed by a gourmet dining experience, finished off by a glass of Montbazillac sweet wine. Up to Bordeaux and there are the Atlantic rollers, for all you surfers out there, sand dunes as far as the eye can see; the river Garonne winds its way to the sea from Toulouse, its mouth the site of many battles as well as historic luxury commerce… An ideal
familyholiday is a self-catering canal boat trip along the canal du Midi. The mystery and splendour of the South West unfolds at an enjoyable pace as you progress along this 400 year old waterway. It is called the canal of the two seas as it joined the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, bringing commerce and prosperity to the region in the late 1600s, early 1700s. If you have enough time, embark in Toulouse and take a lazy trip down to the Mediterranean, at the port of Sete where the canal ends. If you are more time constrained, take a section of the route and enjoy it to the full. Several canal boat companies offer various options depending on budget and requirements.
Prices vary from around 600 Euros per week at low season for a 3-5 bed boat, to 3500 Euros per week at high season for a 8 -12 berth boat. Toulouse itself is easy to access by road or air. Then take in the cultural attractions, cuisine and nightlife before embarking. You’ll find something for all the family, all the ages. Then stock up the galley with all the specialities of the region, saucisson, confit de canard, olives, Foie Gras, bread and of course wine before setting off. Basic cooking materials and condiments are generally provided. A break from self-catering can be taken on evenings in towns like Beziers or Carcassonne, the setting for many a romantic adventure on the big screen…or in real life. You will want to hire bikes for excursions and spontaneous explorations along the way. Also a great way to let the kids let off steam, they can race ahead along the towpath, or perhaps go and visit a castle and rejoin you further along, if they are older. Perhaps the parents can find a game of boules to join in a village along the way… For the evenings, you’ll want to pack the Pictionary and candles and indulge in some creative family bonding time. After your moonlit nights on the still canal, and sunny days floating lazily past historic scenes and rustic locks, your family will return refreshed and revived, eager for your next French experience.
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An ideal
familyholiday is a self-catering canal boat trip along the canal du Midi. The mystery and splendour of the South West unfolds at an enjoyable pace as you progress along this 400 year old waterway.
