Sarah De Winne Situated along the scenic bends of the historic Canal du Midi lies the tiny hamlet of Le Somail. This hidden gem is tucked away in the heart of the Minervois in Occitanie. It is well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Le Somail is a picturesque canal port where time stands still. Its peaceful setting on the Canal du Midi is the perfect place to unwind and relax. Le Somail is full of old-world charm and its vibrant ambience means there is plenty to enjoy on the banks of the canal or on the water all year round.
- 7 Reasons to Visit Le Somail Canal du Midi
- 1. Le Somail is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
- 2. Le Somail is a Scenic Place to Relax and Enjoy Leisure Activities
- 3. Le Somail is a Picturesque Canal Port
- 4. Discover Le Somail’s Historic Buildings
- 5. Browse Over 50,000 Second-Hand Books at Le Somail!
- 6. Walk in the Footsteps of a US President at Le Somail!
- 7. Eat & Drink By the Canal du Midi
- Our Recommendations … Other Nearby Places of Interest to Visit
7 Reasons to Visit Le Somail Canal du Midi
Whilst Le Somail is well-known to locals, it is easy for first-time visitors to overlook this location. As locals living nearby, we have 7 reasons why we think you should visit Le Somail, experience its charm and uncover some surprises!
1. Le Somail is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
The first good reason to visit Le Somail is that it forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Canal du Midi.
Le Somail is an authentic canal port situated along this incredible 360 km man-made water network that spans from Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea. If you are looking for less touristic places to experience part of this early engineering achievement, Le Somail is definitely worth a visit.
In the past, Le Somail was an important stop on the Canal du Midi as it provided a place for travelling passengers to sleep overnight. Today, Le Somail is a small pleasure port where you can hire and moor boats or enjoy guided boat trips.
In recent years, substantial investment has been spent on improving the facilities at Le Somail and redevelopment is still ongoing. This includes the addition of a large and attractively landscaped free car park that makes the site easily accessible from the D607.
2. Le Somail is a Scenic Place to Relax and Enjoy Leisure Activities
Another reason to visit Le Somail is that it offers a lovely canal-side location to pursue many outdoor leisure activities. You can either relax and enjoy the slower pace of Mediterranean life from the banks of the Canal du Midi or take to the water. The choice is yours!
The flat tree-lined towpaths at Le Somail hug local vineyards. They are perfect for walking and cycling adventures in the south of France sunshine.
Alternatively, you can hire a boat and spend time travelling through Occitanie’s scenic countryside. Or why not sit back and relax on a short pleasure boat ride?
3. Le Somail is a Picturesque Canal Port
Le Somail is also an attractive place to visit and explore all year round. In the centre of Le Somail, is a quaint cobblestone bridge. This bridge straddles the canal against a backdrop of palm trees and blue sky. From the bridge, you can enjoy a wonderful view of Le Somail and the Canal du Midi stretching in both directions.
Plenty of boats moor along the banks of the canal and geese roam freely amongst visitors! The little port also has charming old buildings and a number of restaurants with attractive terraces alongside the canal. Perfect for enjoying a glass of wine and watching life on the water!
4. Discover Le Somail’s Historic Buildings
In addition to visiting the historic Canal du Midi, visitors can also discover some interesting old buildings at Le Somail. Both the small chapel and bridge at Le Somail date to the 1600s when the canal was built. There is also an intriguing icehouse that once stocked ice from the nearby Black Mountains.
To discover more about the history of Le Somail and the waterways of the Canal du Midi, head to the Tourist Office (La Maison Bonnal). Here you can enjoy an immersive history lesson in the form of a hologram. An English traveller (Mrs Cradock) will transport you back in time as she recounts her journey as a passenger on the Canal du Midi!
5. Browse Over 50,000 Second-Hand Books at Le Somail!
Certainly, one of the more surprising things to discover at the port of Le Somail is its cavernous second-hand book shop!
Don’t be fooled by the unassuming exterior of this bookshop! Within the walls of the ‘Le Trouve-Tout du Livre’ bookshop, you can lose yourself amongst shelves stacked to the ceiling with over 50,000 second-hand books!
As its name suggests, you will certainly find any type of book imaginable in the Find All bookshop at Le Somail! Books in this unique library date from the 17th Century to the present day. Here you will find books for all ages and in all subjects as well as a selection of comic book favourites.
6. Walk in the Footsteps of a US President at Le Somail!
Another curious reason to visit Le Somail is to locate an interesting plaque that commemorates a former US President’s visit to the site. Many people have fallen under the charm of the tiny port of Le Somail including Thomas Jefferson.
Jefferson was extremely interested in the Canal of Languedoc now known as the Canal du Midi. In 1787, he hired a ‘bark’ (barge) and travelled along its entire length from Sète to Toulouse. In a letter to William Short, he wrote: ‘Of all the methods of travelling I have ever tried this is the pleasantest’. After travelling 20-35 miles a day, he always slept ashore at places along the canal like Le Somail!
7. Eat & Drink By the Canal du Midi
Some 200 years later, Le Somail is still a peaceful place to sit back and enjoy a meal or drink by the canal. During the summer months, there is nothing better than sitting on the terrace of one of the local restaurants and watching life go by on the canal.
Look out especially for the Auberge du Somail, Le Comptoir Nature and L’Ô à la Bouche to name a few of our favourite spots to eat.
Finally, don’t miss the floating épicerie moored at Le Somail. You will find it in a painted green, yellow, and black Dutch barge called the ‘Tamata’. On board, you will find many delicious local specialties including bread, cheese, honey, and wine.
Our Recommendations … Other Nearby Places of Interest to Visit
Close to Le Somail, there are many other interesting things to see and do. This makes it easy to combine a visit to Le Somail with other nearby places of interest. So, here are a few of our favourites …
Explore More of the Canal du Midi
If you want to explore more of the Canal du Midi, you could visit the Malpas Tunnel near Colombiers or Les 9 Écluses de Fonseranes at Béziers.
In addition, a branch of the Canal du Midi (the Canal de la Robine) also crosses the delightful city of Narbonne which is also not far from Le Somail.
Taste Local Food Specialties
If you are a food lover, why not visit the nearby award-winning olive oil mill and regional olive producer? L’Oulibo offers guided tours, plus tastings of a range of excellent olive oils. You can also sample the delicious Lucques olives that are a local specialty.
Afterwards, why not cool off in the nearby medieval village of Bize-Minervois? This pretty village has a swimming basin in the River Cesse that locals visit in the summer months.
