Our base in Homps
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!
Emerald Star base
Point of interest
What you get on the base
Facilities
- Toilets and showers (code available at reception)
- Wifi
- Luggage may be left at reception under staff supervision (at own risk) or in the base technical room when space permits..
Local info
Hotels
L’Arbousier – Tel: +33 (0) 468 911 124
Le Jardin de Homps – Tel: +33 (0) 4 68 75 30 76
Domaine Val Au Clair – Tel: +33 (0) 6 81 61 78 86
Le Château de Siran – Tel: +33 (0) 468 915 598
Restaurants
Le Bistro Gourmand – Tél : +33 (0) 468 414 237
En Bonne Compagnie – Tél : +33 (0) 468 912 316
Le Foudre – Tel: +33 (0) 468 329 692
Les Tonneliers – Tel: +33 (0) 468 911 404
La Peniche – Tel: +33 (0) 468 912 434
La Guinguette du Lac – Tel: +33 (0) 468 912 620
Shops
There is a supermarket in Homps town centre, which is a 10 minute walk from the base. Opening hours: Monday – Saturday: 07:00 – 19:30, Sunday: 07:30 – 13:00
Grocery Deliveries
We recommend ordering and paying for a grocery delivery at Intermarché SUPER La Redorte. You can arrange for your order to be delivered to the base between 9am – 12pm on the morning of your departure.
Fishing
Fishing is allowed on the canal throughout the season. A fishing licence is required and can be purchased online: www.cartedepeche.fr
Electric car charging points
15, Rue du Stade, 11200 Homps, France (0.8 km from the base)
Approximate cruising times
From Homps it is:
- 20 hrs (45 locks) to our base in Castelnaudary
- 6.5hrs (14 locks) to our base in Carcassonne (Trèbes)
- 12.5hrs (18 locks) to our base in Port Cassafières
Plan your days with confidence using our approximate cruising times for the Canal du Midi.
Canal du Midi Region Guide
Curious about where the water could take you? This guide will spill the secrets of the region.
- Must-stop towns and villages, plus local tips on markets, moorings and mouthwatering eats.
- Cruise times, lock numbers and handy need-to-knows to help you plan your trip.
- Region-specific info on moorings, locks, and facilities – so you’re always one step ahead on the water.
Detailed Itineraries
Sometimes too much choice can feel overwhelming, so we’ve drawn on our 55+ years of experience and in-house expertise to create a collection of detailed itineraries exclusively for Emerald Star customers. Featuring handpicked routes, must-see attractions and local dining gems, they’re designed to guide you on your boating holiday and make planning easy.
7-Night Canal du Midi Itinerary: Homps via Béziers Return
3-Night Canal du Midi Itinerary: Homps via Argeliers Return
Navigation Map & Guide Book
Make the most of your boating holiday by ordering your very own navigation map and guide book of your specific cruising region.
Start exploring your cruising region and planning your holiday from home, with detailed maps, cruising tips, and highlights of towns, villages, and must-see spots along the waterways.
Get 20% off with promo code ‘LEBOAT26’.
To ensure your guide arrives before your holiday, please order at least 1 week in advance if you live in France, and at least 3 weeks in advance if you live outside of France.
Emerald Star’s Sustainability Plan
Our ‘Climate, Nature & Community’ plan includes our carbon reduction actions, our efforts to reduce single-use plastic waste, and our support for local nature and communities. Learn more about our sustainability efforts, including how you can play your part in preserving waterways for many generations to come.