Béziers, France, is situated just north of the River Orb, and along the Canal du Midi. In fact, the canal actually crosses the river at Béziers' historic town centre, creating a bit of history for itself. The aqueduct crossing, the Pont-canal de l'Orb, was officially opened in 1858 as a way of allowing boats to bypass the river in times of flooding, and became the first aqueduct of its kind in the world.
Similar to nearby Narbonne,
Béziers sees the first signs of summer in June. Temperatures become
stereotypical of the beautiful Mediterranean climate, ranging from 16 to 25
degrees Celsius, and precipitation levels continue to drop, with around 31 mm
being normal for this time of year. Temperatures are expected to continue to
rise, and rainfall to continue to fall as the month draws to an end.
To the south of Béziers, in the Fonserannes area, are nine locks on the Canal du Midi, with the height difference between the first and last measuring 21 metres. The locks are one of the town's most famed attractions, and they are celebrated each June with the Festival of the Locks, where visitors can see a steady stream of boats queuing to pass through. To be a part of the celebrations, consider renting a canal boat with Locaboat Holidays.
Take a break from the canal trip with dinner at L'Ecluse, overlooking the waterway in Villeneuve-lès-Béziers to the south east of the town centre. The menu here changes regularly, making used of fresh and seasonal ingredients. Examples of the dishes on offer include sausage casserole, fish of the day, and steak coated with a pepper sauce. The views are simply stunning, and it's a very convenient place for those enjoying a canal holiday.
The canal boats used by Locaboat Holidays sleep between two and twelve guests and include bathrooms with shower cubicles and hand basins, fully fitted kitchenettes, a convertible bed/dining table, and double beds. Depending on the model chosen, a night's lodging on the boat could cost as little as £97 when booked for a week long block.
