Closure of the Canal du Midi: attendance, turnover… what are the results for the port?

As the navigation season ends, the Canal du Midi enters its winter period. For five months, the port of Castelnaudary becomes a true cosmopolitan village. Around forty boats, manned by owners from Ireland, Wales, Switzerland and the United States, liven up the quays. “Despite some last minute cancellations, the port will be full this winter. Usually, we also have Australians and New Zealanders, but not this year,” notes Thomas Badon, director of the Castelnaudary tourist office. These temporary residents are keen to participate in local life, bringing their habits and lifestyles as well as significant purchasing power to the economy of the Aude commune.

A controlled drop in attendance

Despite the dynamism of the port, the season saw a marked drop in overnight stays. While the port usually records around 7,500 overnight stays, this figure fell this year to 5,500. “This represents a drop in attendance of 30%,” explains Thomas Badon. This phenomenon is explained by the temporary closure of the Negra base, located between Castelnaudary and Toulouse, which forced part of the Chaurien port clientele to fall back on the Bram base, further away from Castelnaudary, thus impacting the results of attendance.

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However, the tourist office was able to limit the economic loss thanks to redesigned reception strategies. Usually favoring weekly pitch rentals, the harbor master's office has innovated by offering, since the beginning of April, monthly rentals. This exceptional measure will no longer be offered from next season. Thus, despite a drop in attendance, “turnover only fell by 19%”, underlines the director of the tourist office.

A sustainable port: support for cycle tourism

Aware of energy issues, the port has implemented rates encouraging more economical consumption of water and electricity. “We observed a 22% drop in total energy consumption, as well as a 19% drop in the energy bill,” explains Thomas Badon. Castelnaudary is also moving towards “slow tourism” initiatives, particularly to attract cycle tourists. With its “Accueil Vélo” label, the harbor master's office has been offering luggage storage and parking for bicycles since last year, in order to meet the growing demand from lovers of soft mobility on the canal. The Castelnaudary tourist office has also noted an increase in the number of tourists by bicycle. “The water shortage has nevertheless impacted river use,” says its president.

The Chaurian port has also succeeded in attracting a new North European clientele, in particular Ukrainian, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian and Polish tourists. “The destination contracts across the Occitanie region have made it possible to promote the Canal du Midi, and the development of the route in the Aude department has also done a lot of good,” adds Thomas Badon.

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The great highlights of winter

Winter visitors will have the opportunity to virtually follow the Vendée Globe race by supporting Castelnaudary's virtual boat, called the “Windy'naudary”, using the Virtual Regatta application. The port also organizes several festive events as winter approaches, including a barge lighting competition at the beginning of December, for winter visitors. This good-natured little competition will be followed by the “Port en Lumière” on December 13. This event, which will be held from 5 p.m. on the port, will offer street shows, a craft market, light projections on the Pont Neuf and the music school, activities for young and old, including the famous photo with Santa Claus at the captaincy. Students from the intercommunal music school will also sing Christmas carols.

Due to the low water level, the resumption of navigation is gradually postponed and will not take place until the beginning of April, a month later than usual, in order to preserve water resources. .