Roman Stopovers and Secret Beaches

The circular village of Sallèles-d’Aude lies halfway between the Montagne Noire and the Mediterranean coast, in the heart of the Languedoc vineyards. This village has preserved its memory and offers Canal du Midi boaters the chance to explore many historical sites: the Gailhousty spillway, the canal bridge built by Vauban, the Eiffel-style footbridge, Saint-Roch Chapel, and the Château where King Francis I once stayed. The most impressive site remains Amphoralis, a museum built around archaeological excavations revealing the remains of Gallo-Roman potters who lived here from the 1st to the 3rd century.

Cruise under the Pont des Marchands , one of only two inhabited bridges in France. Moor at the port on the Canal de la Robine and explore Narbonne’s 2,000-year history: Gothic cathedral, Archbishop’s Palace, Roman road (Via Domitia), Saint-Paul Basilica, Roman Horreum (underground galleries), and the bustling covered market (Les Halles).

A preserved coastal lagoon between salt marshes and a wild beach. Follow the marked trail to the secluded Vieille-Nouvelle beach.

Where the Canal de la Robine meets the Mediterranean Sea, Port-la-Nouvelle is France’s seventh-largest port and a friendly, family-oriented destination. Accessible by shuttle, its 13 km sandy beach offers many water sports opportunities. From the famous red lighthouse, enjoy panoramic views of the Gulf of Lion, stretching from Sète to Cap Creus.