Port

Port De Paraza

Name: Port De Paraza
Address: Paraza, FR

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Type: Harbour

Canal du Midi halte at the foot of the Château de Paraza, in the Aude between Le Somail and Argens-Minervois, on the Minervois wine plateau.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Canal du Midi navigation limits apply: 1.40 m draught, 3.50 m air draught, 30 m length. The halte is on the south bank below the château, between the Pont-canal du Répudre 1 km west and the Écluse de l'Ognon 2 km east. The first length of quay east of the bridge leans out below the surface, so set fenders low to the waterline. VNF operates the locks on a schedule with a midday closure.

Practical

Recently rebuilt quay with mooring rings along the bank, a water tap that takes a 2 euro payment and does not always work, bins, and a small capitainerie run by the commune. Restaurant and wine tasting at the château above the quay. Village grocer at 300 m. Base Locaboat at Argens-Minervois is 2.9 NM to the west for hire boats and further services.

Ashore

The Château de Paraza, a 16th century wine estate, offers tastings of Minervois AOC reds, and the canalside restaurant Au bord de l'eau is run by Cathy. The Pont-canal du Répudre, built by Riquet in 1676, is the oldest canal aqueduct in France and spans the Répudre stream 1 km west of the halte, reached on foot by the towpath. Vineyards of the Minervois AOC surround the village.

History

Pierre-Paul Riquet lodged at the Château de Paraza while the Canal du Midi was being dug across the estate between 1666 and 1681. The château still bears an inscription commemorating his stay.