No licence required
The boats are suitable for beginners. A full handover is provided at the base before departure.
Canal du Midi & Camargue
Canal du Midi boat hire without a licence
Hire a self-drive boat with Les Canalous and enjoy a peaceful boating holiday on the Canal du Midi. Our houseboat rentals depart from Carcassonne, Homps, Colombiers, Agde or Carnon. No licence is required: you will receive a full introduction before setting off.
- No licence required
- 5 Canal du Midi & Camargue bases
- Weekend, week or longer stays
- Les Canalous assistance
Plan your cruise
What would you like to do?
Quickly access the most useful pages to choose your boat, compare prices or request a personalised quote.
Current offers
Deals and special offers for your Canal du Midi cruise
Take advantage of available offers to plan your cruise at the best time, depending on the season, boats and remaining availability.
Why travel with Les Canalous?
A relaxing boating holiday in the South of France
Renting a comfortable houseboat is a different way to discover the South of France: cruise at your own pace, stop wherever you like and enjoy a fully equipped floating holiday home.
Several departure bases
Choose your departure point depending on the route you want: Canal du Midi, Camargue, Mediterranean atmosphere or Minervois villages.
For every pace
Weekend, short break, full week or longer stay: your cruise can be adapted to the time you have available.
Support and advice
The Les Canalous team can help you choose your boat, your duration and your route.
Departure bases
Where can you rent a boat on the Canal du Midi?
Les Canalous offers several departure bases in the South of France for a cruise on the Canal du Midi or towards the Camargue.
Each base offers a different cruising experience: heritage sites, vineyards, villages, locks, lagoons or a Mediterranean atmosphere.
During your cruise
What to enjoy on the Canal du Midi and in Camargue
A houseboat cruise is not just about travelling from one place to another: it is a series of stops, landscapes and simple moments along the water.
The Canal du Midi
An iconic waterway lined with plane trees, historic structures, villages and southern landscapes.
Life on board
Meals on deck, gentle cruising, nights moored along the canal and the freedom to plan each day your own way.
Easy cruising
A relaxed pace, simple manoeuvres explained before departure and an experience accessible to beginners.
Camargue and Mediterranean
Lagoons, beaches, ports and southern light: Camargue offers a more open, Mediterranean cruising atmosphere.
Choose your boat
Self-drive hire boats for every budget
Couple, family or group of friends: the Les Canalous boat ranges allow you to choose according to comfort level, capacity and budget.
Whether it is your first boating holiday or you are looking for a more comfortable cruise, our different ranges help you find a boat suited to your crew, your wishes and your budget.
Compare the boats
Premium
Cosy
Classic
Simply
Access
Prices and advice
Need help choosing your cruise?
Prices vary depending on the season, duration, departure base and boat chosen. To make your choice easier, compare available offers or request a personalised quote.
Frequently asked questions
Before renting a licence-free boat
Do you need a licence to hire a boat on the Canal du Midi?
No. Our boats are designed for self-drive cruising without a licence. Before departure, you receive an introduction covering manoeuvres, navigation and essential safety instructions.
How long should you choose for a first cruise?
A weekend or short break is enough to discover canal boating. A full week gives you more freedom to vary your stops and fully enjoy the Canal du Midi or Camargue.
Which departure base should you choose?
For a heritage-focused cruise, Carcassonne is a strong choice. For a quieter atmosphere among villages and vineyards, Homps works well. Colombiers is ideal for discovering the Béziers area and the Fonséranes locks. Agde brings you closer to the Étang de Thau and the Mediterranean, while Carnon is better suited to a Camargue cruise.
Can you cruise with children?
Yes. Canal boating is well suited to families, provided you choose a boat adapted to the number of passengers and follow the safety rules on board.
Ready to plan your Canal du Midi cruise?
Choose your boat, compare offers or request a personalised quote.
