Dog-friendly Le Boat - Canal du Midi, France

Dog-Friendly Boating Escapes

Escape the crowds and discover the fabulous French countryside from a different perspective. Together with your furry friend, why not take a self drive river cruiser to meander along the gentle waterways on a comfortable berth packed with modern amenities through routes along Canal du Midi. The perfect location in France for a dog-friendly boating holiday, you can enjoy the slow pace past lush vineyards in the heart of the Languedoc wine region, with medieval villages and ancient fortress cities all the way from Toulouse to the golden sands of the Mediterranean with wonderful walks for you and your dog along the towpaths of the canals. All Le Boat river cruisers range from budget to premiere sleeping from two to twelve and come equipped with all you need to enjoy a city adventure with your canine companion.

Begin your boating adventure for the first time or as a more experienced crew member with full tuition provided at the start of every journey. When you arrive at the base, you will be given an in-depth briefing on every aspect of your boat from which knots to use to how the oven works. After your instruction lesson you will be given a temporary permit for the duration of your holiday. Most visitor moorings on canals and rivers are governed by the Canal & River Trust and are free of charge, meaning your boat will be permitted to moor anywhere on the towpath side of the canal as long as no obstruction is being caused.

A suggested route for those wanting a longer escape is Trèbes return via Béziers taking you past the Midi’s most impressive engineering feats at the Malpas Tunnel and the Fonserannes Locks. All on the way to the ancient town of Béziers, birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer behind the Canal du Midi. This route passes through 58 locks and can be completed in ten nights. Highlights include The Malpas Tunnel, The Fonserannes Locks and the Stunning Minerve, one of France’s most beautiful towns.

If you’re looking for a shorter break, Trèbes return via Carcassonne is a short return cruise ideal for those looking to visit the magnificent citadel of Carcassonne, the biggest mediaeval construction in all of Europe. This route passes through 12 locks and can be completed in three nights. Highlights include the historic and famous fortress at Carcassonne and an adventure for you and your canine companion at Cavayère Lake.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All dog-friendly river cruisers are available from April to November. Arrive on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday for a 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 or 11 night stay. Please note that each route has individual changeover dates. In a river cruiser berthing 4, enjoy a 3 night stay from £629 or 7 night stay from £1,239 in the low season, excluding fuel supplement. Supplements apply on summer dates and larger boats.

For more information on payable fees and deposits, check out our Holiday Extras.

Dogs love boats so this will be especially exciting for them with lots of different sights and smells for them to enjoy every day of the trip along with lots of dog-friendly bars and restaurants along the way.

Featured Boats

Some boats have separate cabins with en-suite bathrooms giving these canal boats unparalleled privacy. The boats offer a variety of sleeping arrangements from single and double beds to singles that convert to doubles, making it possible for you to cruise with children, single adults or couples plus your four legged friend too! Laundry and towels are included.

Budget
8 adults
& 2 pets
Although the décor is more traditional and the features and fittings are quite basic, they are clean, excellently maintained and come equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay.
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Comfort Plus and Comfort
12 adults
& 2 pets
These are good-quality, stylish and well-equipped boats of varying ages, designs and styles.
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Premier
12 adults
& 2 pets
These were designed exclusively by Le Boat, for Le Boat, and come with a light and spacious kitchen and saloon, spacious top deck and both front and rear thrusters make mooring and manoeuvring very easy.
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What To Expect

It's important to bring along a bed, bowl, food, lead and toys for your dog whilst on board and may be advisable to invest in a harness or life jacket for your dog. A welcome pack can be accessed online and river cruisers are equipped with a variety of power equipment. All river cruisers come with a well-equipped kitchen where you can whip up a meal for your guests and furry friend too. Dog-friendly river cruisers along Canal du Midi include a water tank covering two to three days of normal use. You will need to refill water by stopping at the marinas along the canal/ river. This service is often charged by the marina. Your boat will be supplied with a full tank of diesel and you will be required to pay for the fuel you use, normally, you would not need to refuel en-route. Before departure, you will be required to leave an engine hours deposit at your start base. At the end of the holiday you will either be refunded the excess or be asked to pay any additional costs as required. Deposit tariffs are based on your boat's engine size and destination region. Life jackets are supplied and safety rings are attached to every boat, it is recommended that children wear their life jacket while cruising.