French Southern Canal: The Allure of Wine and Cuisine in the World Heritage Site
The Burgundy Canal is well-developed, consisting of a waterway with four canals, and cruise ships can travel on them for several weeks. Besides the superb scenery, the top-notch wines and cuisine have a deadly attraction for most people.
700 years ago, the French people wanted to connect the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Their idea was to excavate a canal. François I, Henry IV, and Richelieu all conducted extensive research on this project, but the plan was too grandiose and they were unable to complete it. After 200 years, Baron Bonrepos Pierre-Paul Roge completed the plan. In 1681, the Southern Canal was built, which stretches 240 kilometers and connects the ports of Toulouse and Port-Lauragais. It is like a giant artery flowing through the Upper Gardon Valley, the Aude Valley, and the Hérault Valley. In 1996, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) listed the Southern Canal as a World Heritage Site.
The design of the canal not only emphasized its practicality but also became a beautiful landscape: elliptical shaped locks, elegant stone bridges, vineyards, French trees, cypress trees and Italian five-needle pines, pastoral scenery, historic towns and ancient sites. The Burgundy Canal has become a holiday resort in France. During the busy summer holiday season (July and August), there are dozens of floating hotels and cruise ships on the Southern Canal, which are bustling.
In addition to cruising, there are 49 kilometers of specially modified pedestrian and bicycle paths from Toulouse to Port-Lauragais. Cycling or walking are both good choices. There are several thousand trees planted along the canal banks, which are several hundred years old and are lush and green, providing shade and are very beautiful.
Previously, the way we experienced Europe was 7 days and 10 countries, running around and seeing everything casually. Now, people's level has evolved to in-depth tourism of one country, but why can't we try to have a leisurely holiday like the French locals, or even more leisurely than them?
As a wine lover, I have tried several ways to travel through wine regions in France, but the most impressive experience is the cruise wine tour in the Burgundy region.
Amaryllis is not like a large luxury cruise ship with skyscrapers. Amaryllis is only 40 meters long, with two decks and 4 guest cabins plus an outdoor hot tub, with several service staff. The wine expert accompanied the guests throughout the journey, enjoying exquisite food and dozens of top-level wines, and admiring the beautiful scenery of the Burgundy countryside.
The standard itinerary is seven days and six nights, with dinner and bedtime stopping at the dock. The boat only sails for half a day each day, and guests can have meals, rest and appreciate the beautiful scenery and enjoy the outdoor hot tub at the bow. Because the whole ship is for their own use, it is small and few people, so you can adjust the itinerary at any time, decide what to eat and drink, and do whatever you want.
When the boat is docked, you can visit vineyards, have picnics, cycle, hike, or see castles, monasteries or small villages, which are not famous tourist attractions. Our purpose is to have a leisurely few days in the French countryside, which is sparsely populated.
When the boat is sailing on the canal, the speed is only 6 km/h, which is slower than walking, but we don't mind it because there are many interesting things to do.
*How much does it cost*
Amaryllis can only be rented for the whole ship. The itinerary can be customized according to the guest's needs, including ship accommodation, dining, and on-shore activities, plus round-trip international air tickets, approximately around RMB 300,000 per person.
*More choice
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