Canal du Midi

(känäl` dü mēdē`), canal, c.150 mi (240 km) long, linking Sète and Toulouse, S France. It was built to carry oceangoing ships between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, but because of its size it now carries only barge traffic.

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As soon as the river dropped, we were plying past the iconic plane trees that line the banks of the Canal du Midi. At a top speed of only 8kph, you have plenty of time to drink in the panoramic views of Languedoc-Roussillon, and see historic hilltop hamlets.

A BON VOYAGE; Follow in TV chef Rick Stein's wake and enjoy your own gastronomic French odyssey on the Anjodi barge as it putt-putts its way along the Canal du Midi

Sometimes the Canal du Midi gets congested, particularly at the lock staircase at Beziers

Do-it-yourself river cruising; River cruising is all the rage this year - so why not hit the water and give it a try in your own boat like EDWARD STEPHENS?

The world heritage site of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi

Breathtaking beauty; Bestseller Kate Mosse wrote about it, Hollywood A-listers visit it - and now Rachel Wearmouth holidays in Languedoc-Roussillon

PICTURESQUE: Take a relaxing barge trip on the Canal du Midi

Falling for Languedoc; HOLIDAYS

I was definitely up for that - even if it meant pulling on a wet-suit again - and as we sailed down river in our mini raft, it was certainly a different experience to drifting along the Canal du Midi, but just as enjoyable.

In praise of the Pyrenees; Karen Price enjoys hiking, rafting - but not canyoning - in one of the world's most picturesque locations

The next morning's cycle ride was by the Canal du Midi, another n -Unesco site that was conceived in 1666 by visionary architect Pierre-Paul Riquet and which helps connect the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of France.

VELO FEVER; David Maddock takes a tour around France's sublime Languedoc region

SCENT OF SUMMER: Lavender fields in Languedoc PERFECT BASE: La Carabasse holiday parc in Vias JOUST A BIT OF FUN: Water jousting on the Canal du Midi

messing We're joust the water on around; Wonderfully un-PC France a splash hit at festival time

There are fabulous views from both sides of the graceful Pont Neuf and you see the starting point of the Canal du Midi, which meanders 150 miles south-east from Toulouse to the Mediterranean (www.bateaux-toulousains.fr).

TOULOUSE LE TREK; Head south to France's Pink City

As if not content with one Unesco World Heritage site, Carcassonne has a second, the Canal du Midi.

A vintage taste e of history; Clare Hickie finds the most modern cuisine mixing with the splendour of the past in France

But sailing along the Canal du Midi in France is one of the most tranquil experiences imaginable.

Life on the water 2; When Karen Price explored southern France, she took the stresses out of travelling by taking a canal boat

And, after enjoying every minute of our all too short spell on the Canal du Midi, I'm sure there will be a next time.

Whatever floats YOUR BOAT; ON THE CANALS OF FRANCE Birmingham once claimed to have more canals than Venice. It wasn't true, of course, but a lazy life on the waterways has its appeal. PAUL NEW takes his family on the waterways of France