The Canal du Midi and the harbour define Homps as a town closely connected to the water. Homps was once important for transporting wine along the canal; from the harbour, a walk also leads to Lac de Jouarres. This gives a stay two distinct points of interest: the history of the canal and an excursion to a recreational site by the lake.
Canal du Midi: history and boating options
Homps was an important place for transporting wine on the Canal du Midi. This former role explains why the canal is part of the town’s history beyond its present-day leisure activities. Le Boat offers boat hire and river tourism from Port Minervois in Homps. This brings together two different aspects of the canal: its historical significance and a current boating option. Le Boat’s availability may change; check the current options before making plans around it.
A two-hour gabare boat trip
On the Canal du Midi, Croisières du Midi offers a two-hour round trip aboard a gabare. The trip includes a lock, bridges and a canal aqueduct, with commentary along the way. Its duration makes it easy to fit into your schedule, while boat hire from Port Minervois is a different type of offering. When comparing the options, you can choose between a two-hour round trip with commentary and a boat rental, rather than treating them as the same experience. Check the current departure times before making specific plans for the trip.
Walk to Lac de Jouarres
A walk from the harbour in Homps leads to Lac de Jouarres, a developed recreational site for families. Unlike the boating options on the Canal du Midi, the focus here is on the walk to a lake and its recreational facilities. Travellers who would like to add a walking excursion to their stay can include this route as a separate activity. The site thus offers a distinct leisure option among the water-related activities.
Heritage in Homps
Homps’s heritage also offers specific historical points of interest. A former commandery of the Hospitaller Order is open to visitors and is associated with the year 1183. The former church of Homps is also located in the cemetery and has been listed as a historic monument since 7 February 1951. The commandery and the church offer different points of interest: the focus at the commandery is on visiting the site, while the church is notable for its listed status. Both add a connection to the history of the religious orders and the church to the story of wine transportation.
Finding your way around the harbour
The Maison du Port en Minervois is a useful place to get your bearings in Homps: the building houses the harbour office and a tourist information centre. This brings the harbour function and tourist information together in one place. If you plan to use the tourist information centre in person, check its current opening hours before making a special visit.
Discover more destinations: Brenac, Mailhac, Arzens, Armissan, Montolieu, Espéraza, Argeliers, Espezel
Back to the regional travel overview: Aude.
