(00353) (0) 71 962 7633
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Take advantage of our low deposits and secure your boating vacation today with just a 25% deposit. 2nd payment (up to 50%) is due by December 31st, 2024. Balance due 90 days before departure. Gold Trusted Service Award

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Boating expertise since 1969

With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water. Boat

World’s largest fleet

We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people. Life buoy

No boat licence required

That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.
Opening hours for (00353) (0) 71 962 7633

Mon – Fri: 9am to 5pm | Sat and Bank Holidays: 10am to 12pm and 12.30pm to 4pm

Our base in Homps

Port Minervois, 11200 Homps
Canal du Midi

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!

CHECK AVAILABILITY

From Homps it is:

View our Homps base on Google Maps

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

Travel to Homps

View our Homps base on Google Maps

By Train

Closest train stations:

  • Lézignan Corbières:12km
  • Narbonne: 25km
  • Carcassonne: 30km

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 https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe

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 Emerald Star 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.

Car rental

  • Lézignan-Corbières:  Hertz, 4 Rue Jean Mermoz, 11200 Lézignan-Corbières (13 km)
  • Narbonne: 14 Av. Carnot, 11100 Narbonne (28 km)

Parking

Secure parking onsite (pre-bookable extra – fee applies) or free unsecured parking.

By Air

Closest airports:

  • Carcassonne: 33km (E80)
  • Toulouse: 129km (E80)
  • Béziers: 45km (E15/E80)

By Sea

Closest port(s):

  • Santander (660km)
  • St Malo (895km)

Book your ferry to France today with our partners Direct Ferries.

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.

Emerald Star base Emerald Star base
Point of interest Point of interest