Jump off point for French canals

[samwise]

We are due to finish our Med cruise this Autumn, with the intention of bringing the boat back home through the French canals next Spring. We plan to end up in Barcelona at the end if the summer, and that is a possible overwintering option, but ideally I would like to be somewhere closer to the start of the canal system, like Port Napoleon.Can anybody recommend a good, secure overwinter possibility in that area? We are a bit strapped for crew and time, so this option would help us reduce the trip time quite substantially.I gues if we could find somewhere to de-mast that would help too. All suggestions gratefully received.

 

[LadyInBed]

Palavas les Flots or Agde.
About 10 km into Montpellier (for coach to UK)

 

[FAITIRA]

We spent a bit of winter 92 in Aigues Mortes, was pleasant, demasted at P.N. then up to Arles into the Petit Rhone A Mortes then spent the rest of the winter in the Midi to Royan, very nice trip (almost no other traffic, no shortage of water). Boat was a Rival 32.

 

[Grehan]

Palavas?

Bit surprised at Palavas suggestion - has seemed a bit small to me when travelling past - with fairly small boats in there and little motor launches . . . Have you first-hand experience? If so, was it good?

 

[chrisc]

De mast at Port camargue and into Le-grau du roi canal (stopping for meal at one of those nice restaurants )and up to Aigues Mortes.

 

[Sea Devil]

one of the very best and perhaps the least expensive meals to be had in southern France is just outside the railway bridge that lets you out of SETE.. under the bridge and park on the right for the night... in front of the little private houses. The cafe on the corner looks tiny and unprepossessing but come the evening tables are all over everywhere.. You order tiny little dishes of different items for a few euros each and end up with a banquet ... Not to be missed - starts or finishes a canal trip properly.

 

[Chatelaine]

Palavas is too small - and no facilities. Would recommend Allemands at Agde, but you have to book well in advance - they are very busy this year due to lack of water and boats not being able to use the dry docks available. Failing that, try Port de Nouvelle - craning available via the harbour master - then you can continue via the Canal de Robine to Narbonne - (watch the depth - 1.2 - 1.3 max.), and then join the Canal du Midi I have used this mast service and it is good - and cheap!

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: Palavas?

I don't remember it as being small, I was there in 95 and thought it a reasonable size marina [Map Here]