Looking for French canal boat holiday recommendations

[MilkTart]

Hi everyone, I've got a big birthday coming up and we're looking at doing a canal boat holiday in France to celebrate. It would need be in the summer holidays (last day of school is 22nd July here) and we would want to be able to stop off at places along the way (I'm envisioning lots of lovely breakfasts and lunches in picturesque villages!)

Budget is 4-5k for 2 adults and 2 children. Does anyone have any recommendations for which canals are best, companies to book with etc? Thanks

We did 2 on the Canal du Midi. The first time was through the Camargue and along the coast towards Beziers. It was great because there are hardly any locks on this stretch - maybe 2? The Camargue was beautiful with all the horses and flamingos. The 2nd stretch meant we got to visit some seaside towns and did a day trip to Montpellier. Lots of red wine and oysters. The second one was from Castelnaudary past Carcassone back towards Bezier in the other direction. Lots of locks - which sometime caused hold ups as they all shut at lunchtime. Lots of pretty villages and lovely scenery.

I preferred the first trip.

We used LeBoat

We also used Le Boat on Canal du Midi. Just the two of us.

Loved it! Great scenery, and mostly shaded by the trees that line the canal, though some have been felled in some areas due to a disease that's spreading amongst them.

We started in Trebes and went as far as Beziers and back. Wanted to go to Agde, but we wouldn't have been able to get back in time.

I would love to do it again.

PS - I really enjoy the locks. Some were quite dramatic! Lots are electric.

Both times we missed the flight of locks at Beziers as it was in the middle. Visited them separately when we were there on another holiday. It looked quite exciting. I am getting on a bit mind :) We flew both times - to Nimes I think, and next trip Carcassonne and got a taxi transfer to the boat base and the train back. We stayed in Nimes overnight which was lovely - the roman arena etc.