Our base in Homps
About Homps
Homps is at the very heart of the Midi. It’s a great base if you wish to travel far and see lots – with loads of villages and attractions and very few locks to the east. You can branch off towards the Canal de la Robine and the Roman city of Narbonne (7hrs from Homps), or continue to the Fonserannes staircase of seven locks and lively Béziers (5-6hrs away). Historic Carcassonne is a quiet and peaceful 10hr cruise to the west. You can’t leave Homps without travelling 12km inland to the beautiful town of Minerve, perched high on a rocky promontory surrounded by deep gorges – spectacular!
From Homps it is:
- 20 hrs (45 locks) to our base in Castelnaudary
- 6.5hrs (14 locks) to our base in Carcassonne (Trèbes)
- 12.5hrs (18 locks) to our base in Port Cassafières
What you get on the base
Facilities
- Toilets and showers (during base opening hours only)
- Wifi
Extras & options for your cruise
The following extras are available to prebook or purchase locally at this base. A reduced fee will apply to items that are prebooked. Please see 'Vacation Extras' for more details about each extra. Restrictions apply.
Practical extras
Early check-in & late check-out
Boat cleaning
Parking (see 'Travel info' tab)
Car transfer (see 'Travel info' tab)
Eco cleaning pack
L.E.D. lantern
Top-deck cushions
Grocery packs
Wifi packs
Fun extras
- Bike hire
- Special occasion gift baskets
- Gas barbecues
Opening hours
Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat: 9am – 5pm. Tue, Thu and Sun: 10am – 4pm | If there is no one at the base at a specific time during these hours, the phone number below will be diverted and an alternative number will also be displayed at the base.
Address
Le Boat Homps
Avenue Claude Bourrel, Port Minervois,
F – 11200 Homps
FranceTelephone
+33 (0) 468 912 400
Travel to Homps
By Train
Closest train station(s):
- Lézignan Corbières:12km
- Narbonne: 35km
- Carcassonne: 45km
By Road
Be prepared
It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with local road rules and abide by them. Most European countries have a list of compulsory equipment that you must take with you. For example, there is a new legal requirement in France to carry a breathalyser, triangle & florescent jacket in your car. For driving advice and a list of the equipment you’ll need, please visit www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas
Directions from Calais: From Calais take A26 Auto route to Reims, then A4 to Châlon-sur-Marne, then A26 to Troyes, then A5 to Langres, then A31 to Beaune, then A6 to Lyon, then A7 to Orange, then A9 to Narbonne, then A61 to Lézignan. Leave Autoroute at junction 25. Then follow directions Lezignan Corbieres, When in Lézignan Corbieres follow ‘toutes direction’ until you pick up signs for Homps. In the village of Homps follow Le Boat signs, after crossing canal turn first left then straight on you will find Le Boat. Road distance approximately 1150 kms 11.5 hrs.
Directions from Toulouse: Take A61 and exit at junction 25 at Lézignan and follow directions as above. Road distance approximately 150 kms 1.5 hrs.
Parking
Secure parking onsite (pre-bookable extra - fee applies) or free unsecured parking.
Car rental
- Lézignan-Corbières: Hertz, 4 Rue Jean Mermoz, 11200 Lézignan-Corbières (13 km)
- Narbonne: 14 Av. Carnot, 11100 Narbonne (28 km)
By Air
Closest airport(s):
- Carcassonne: 33km (E80)
- Toulouse: 129km (E80)
- Béziers: 45km (E15/E80)
To book a taxi to or from the base you can contact the numbers below:
AM Taxi: +33 (0)6 15 81 71 69
Jean Paul Moïse: +33 (0)6 17 70 66 87
Approximate price (4 passengers) from:
- Carcassonne Airport (CCF) 75€
- Toulouse Airport (TLS) 235€
- Béziers Airport (BZR) 100€
- Lézignan Corbières Train Station 23€
- Narbonne Train Station 53€
- Carcassonne Train Station 65€
Arrival at Homps
For more details about:
- when to arrive at our bases
- what to expect when you arrive
- how to prepare for check-in
- what happens on your final day when you return your boat
visit our 'arrivals' page.
Local info
Payment Means
Please note that your security deposit, engine hours deposit (see compulsory costs) & any extras added at the base and are required to be paid in local currency by card. Our bases accept Visa & Mastercard, but not American Express.
Hotels
L’Arbousier - Tel: +33 (0) 468 911 124
Le Jardin de Homps - Tel: +33 (0) 468 913 950
Domaine Val Au Clair - Tel: +33 (0) 6 81 61 78 86
Le Château de Siran - Tel: +33 (0) 468 915 598
Restaurants
Le Bistro Gourmand – Tél : +33 (0) 468 414 237
En Bonne Compagnie – Tél : +33 (0) 468 912 316
Le Foudre – Tel: +33 (0) 468 329 692
Les Tonneliers – Tel: +33 (0) 468 911 404
La Peniche – Tel: +33 (0) 468 912 434
La Guinguette du Lac – Tel: +33 (0) 468 912 620
Shops
In Olonzac, which is the next village along from Homps (30 minute walk) you will find the local supermarket. Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 09:00 - 19:30, Sunday: 09:00 - 12:30
There is also a supermarket in Homps town centre, which is again a 10 minute walk from the base. Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 07:00 - 19:30, Sunday: 07:30 - 13:00
In La Redorte, there is a supermarket (Intermarché) which can delivers groceries directly to your boat.
Fishing
Fishing is allowed on the canal throughout the season. A fishing licence is required and can be purchased online: www.cartedepeche.fr
Electric car charging points
6 Rue de l'Église, 11200 Homps, France (1.2 km from the base)