Homps on the Canal du Midi

Homps brings together the Canal du Midi, the history of wine transport and a range of water-based activities. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the different options: boat hire from Port Minervois, a guided cruise on the canal, a walk to Lac de Jouarres and historic buildings each offer a different perspective on the town.

The Canal du Midi: History and Boat Trips

Homps was an important place for transporting wine on the Canal du Midi. This former role in transport offers a historical perspective on the waterway; today’s boating options provide a different view of the same canal. Homps can therefore be explored both through its history and through activities on the water.

Le Boat offers boat hire and river tourism from Port Minervois in Homps. If you are interested, check availability in advance, as the offer may change. Another option is a trip on the Canal du Midi with Croisières du Midi: it lasts two hours and is a round trip aboard a gabare. When planning, note that these are two different types of offer: boat hire and a trip with a stated duration and return journey.

The Croisières du Midi trip includes a lock, bridges and a canal bridge, with commentary along the way. A lock overcomes a change in level along the waterway, while a canal bridge carries the waterway over an obstacle. The two-hour trip thus combines a set duration with several of the canal’s structural features. Check departure times before your visit if you would like to fit the cruise into your day.

The Port and Lac de Jouarres

The Maison du Port en Minervois in Homps houses the harbour office and a tourist information centre. The building therefore serves two purposes: harbour administration and visitor information. It is another useful point of reference when exploring the town and its waterside attractions.

A walk leads from the port of Homps to Lac de Jouarres. The lake is a developed recreational area for families. Unlike a trip on the Canal du Midi, this walk offers a different focus: it leads from the port to the lake, providing an alternative to travelling by boat. When planning, you can therefore choose between an activity on the canal and a walk to a recreational area by the lake.

Historic Buildings in Homps

A former commandery of the Order of Hospitallers can still be visited in Homps. It is associated with the year 1183. This date provides a historical point of reference for visitors interested in the town’s past; it does not explicitly refer to the year the building was constructed.

The former church in the cemetery in Homps offers another kind of historical context: it has been listed as a historic monument since 7 February 1951. The commandery and the church thus represent different aspects of the town’s heritage—the connection with the Order of Hospitallers on the one hand, and its official protected status on the other.

Discover more destinations: Douzens, Tourreilles, Canet, Espezel, Roquefort-De-Sault, Saint Jean De Minervois, La Digne-d'Amont, Aragon.

Go to the regional travel overview: Aude.