Le port du Somail,
On the Canal du Midi#Historical ballad
In the heart of the Minervois region, between Narbonne and Carcassonne, the hamlet of Le Somail is a historic stopover on the Canal du Midi. The stone bridge, the chapel, the ice house and the old stones of the inns of yesteryear make up the remarkable architectural décor of this 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage-listed river relay. A picturesque spot that’s a must-see when camping near the Canal du Midi! In the heart of the Minervois region, between Narbonne and Carcassonne, the hamlet of Le Somail is a historic stopover on the Canal du Midi.
The stone bridge, the chapel, the ice house and the old stones of the inns of yesteryear make up the remarkable architectural décor of this 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage-listed river relay. A picturesque spot that’s a must-see when camping near the Canal du Midi!
A heritage stop
on the Canal du Midi#Trésors du Somail
Situated between Narbonne and Carcassonne, 25 km from the 4-star La Pinède campsite, in the heart of the Minervois region, Le Somail is a pretty hamlet crossed by the Canal du Midi. Built in the 17th century by Pierre Paul Riquet, this stopover inn once served as a “couchée” (evening meal and overnight stay) for boatmen and travellers on the Barque de Poste from Sète or Toulouse. For almost 300 years, the port of Le Somail, a vital link between the Canal du Midi, Narbonne and the Mediterranean, was a hub of intense commercial activity.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996, the small port of Le Somail is an essential historic and heritage stopover on the Canal du Midi. Even today, the former freight port lives to the rhythm of the canal, with bike rides, hikes and barge cruises. A stroll through the hamlet allows you to immerse yourself in this past and discover some of the emblematic places that have stood the test of time.
A life-saving stopover
for hikers
and yachtsmen#Summer at Le Somail
Every summer, thousands of visitors, sailors, mountain bikers and hikers stop off at Le Somail. People come here to stroll in the shade of the plane trees, to find a bit of peace and quiet or a bit of entertainment, to relax on a terrace bathed in generous sunshine. L’Ô à la Bouche, L’Auberge du Somail and Le Comptoir Nature are just a few of the restaurants serving home-cooked meals made with fresh, organic produce and traditional methods. Moored alongside the canal, the grocer’s barge is also worth a visit.
You’ll find everything you need to stock up on regional products in the décor of an authentic 1927 Dutch barge. It’s also an opportunity to meet Denis Carrière, painter of the journey and draughtsman of the moment, who has a small studio, “L’Atelier 37”, as well as an exhibition room.
The old icehouse#Ice heritage
The ice house is part of the postcard of the port of Le Somail. Built in 1684, the site was once used to store blocks of ice in winter and keep them until summer. The ice loaves were transported by donkey from the Montagne Noire to supply the Canal’s inns. It is the last surviving work of this type from this period.
Le Somail bridge and chapel
#Pélerinage marinier
Built between 1684 and 1693, the chapel at Le Somail was once a place for bargemen and travelers to gather and receive blessings. Mass was celebrated when the boats arrived and departed.
A few steps away, you can cross the stone humpback bridge over the canal. Dating from the 17th century, it offers a magnificent view over the hamlet. Remarkable for its basket-handle arch, it is one of the most photographed structures on the Canal du Midi.
An incredible bookshop#Book cave
The hamlet of Le Somail is also home to an old-fashioned bookshop: “Le Trouve Tout du Livre”. Housed in a former wine cellar moored to the Canal du Midi, this astonishing bookshop boasts an immense collection of 50,000 rare and antiquarian books from the 17th century to the present day. Literature, fine arts, cinema, regionalism, science, medicine, esotericism… bookworms and culture buffs are sure to find something to their liking.
The Bonnal House#River history
To find out more about the history of Le Somail, the Canal du Midi and the Canal de la Robine, you’ll need to visit the former Bonnal winery, which now houses a tourist centre and the Maison du parcours canaux et rivières du Grand Narbonne. Push open the door and meet this British woman, Miss Anne Francesca Cradock, who will tell you all about her trip to Le Somail in 1786.