Canal Du Midi springs back for 2019

Le Boat in partnership with the Voies Navigables de France (VNF) are delighted to confirm that it’s Canal du Midi services will be fully operational for the 2019 tourism season (which will begin mid-March). Le Boat, the leading provider of boating holidays on Europe and Canada's beautiful inland waterways, has worked tirelessly with its local partners to rehabilitae the area following autumn flooding.

With multiple bases to choose from on the Canal du Midi, holidaymakers can traverse more than 150 miles of scenic waterways along an impressive Seventeenth Century network of canals that connect the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Famed for its wine tasting and world-class gastronomy, the Canal du Midi is also rich in history and heritage, boasting impressible cathedrals, grand châteaux, ancient ruins and medieval cities.

Since the flooding in late October, the VNF invested over €4 million to rehabilitate the area which accounts for 30% of French river tourist traffic.The organisation have rebuilt structures along the waterway, cleared and removed debris rehabilitating the UNESCO World Heritage Sites towpaths to ensure they are back to normal.

Le Boat’s Canal du Midi holidays are amongst the operator’s most popular, with the company passionately committed to the region. From 2019, Le Boat will be investing € 3 million into the region to improve the facilities for customers and staff, increase the technical support teams to ensure customers continue to receive excellent customer service, in addition to upgrades and refurbishments to the fleet to provide the best boating experience on the Canal du Midi.

Le Boat has released encouraging early 2019 sales figures for its Canal du Midi operations in the South of France. Initial numbers indicate a 3% increase in year on year holidays to the region from the UK, despite challenging trading conditions.

Cheryl Brown, Managing Director of Le Boat said “2019 is the perfect time to visit the Canal du Midi as Le Boat celebrates its 50 year anniversary. We have been boating in France since 1969 and today over 50% of our holidays are now sold for the 2019 boating season. We look forward to sharing memories with all our boaters, both old and new, over the coming season.”

Le Boat’s Canal du Midi fleet ranges from Budget boats, where a seven-night rental starts from a little over AUD180 pp, to Premier cruisers which features the Horizon – the newest model in the fleet offering an impressive top deck with barbeque hotplate and spacious saloon and kitchen areas.

For more information about Le Boat, visit www.leboat.com.au or call AU: 1800 118 940 / NZ: 0800 449 891.