Aperitif Cruise, Drinks Included

Aperitif hour on the water: this 1.5-hour cruise drifts past Toulouse's historic center with drinks on board, from $33 per person, rated 4.2 across 62 reviews.

Overview

This is a 1.5-hour aperitif cruise on the Canal du Midi, run by Yacht de Toulouse, with two glasses of wine per person and a gourmet assortment served on board. Boarding happens at the Kiosque Yacht opposite 5 boulevard de Bonrepos, half an hour before the boat leaves. The cruise then sails out along the canal and returns to the same point at the end of the evening.

The boat has an air-conditioned interior and a shaded terrace, so there is a choice between sitting inside or taking in the scenery from the terrace. Music is played on board, and the pace is slow and relaxed. Reviewers consistently describe the crew as friendly and the food and wine as good.

It suits groups of friends and colleagues looking for an unhurried drink on the water rather than a sightseeing tour. One traveller noted the route covers the same stretch out and back, and another said it is best seen as an aperitif with friends rather than a trip packed with commentary. If the aim is a calm evening with a glass of wine in hand, that is exactly what this delivers.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Arrive at the kioskBoarding takes place at the Kiosque Yacht in Toulouse, opposite 5 boulevard de Bonrepos. Arrive 30 minutes before departure.
2. Board the boatBoarding begins at 6:45 PM. The nearest metro stop is Marengo, and the Indigo Toulouse Matabiau Ramblas parking is nearby for those driving.
3. DepartureThe cruise departs at 7:00 PM onto the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
4. Aperitif on boardTwo glasses of wine per person and a gourmet assortment are served while the boat glides along the canal past plane trees.
5. Return and disembarkThe cruise ends at 8:30 PM with disembarkation at the same kiosk.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help set expectations before booking this cruise.

• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup. The meeting point is the Yacht de Toulouse kiosk opposite 5 boulevard de Bonrepos, and the listing asks travellers to arrive 30 minutes before departure.
• Pace and feel. This is a relaxed aperitif cruise, not a guided tour. Reviewers describe it as calm and slow, with one noting the boat covers the same stretch of canal out and back.
• Food and drink. Two glasses of wine per person and a gourmet assortment are included. One reviewer found the food enough for the duration of the trip; another mentioned carbonated drinks were also available, though beer was not that day.
• Where to sit. The boat has an air-conditioned interior and a shaded terrace, so travellers can choose between indoor seating and the terrace. The plane trees along the canal give shade and scenery as the boat moves.
• Who it suits. Reviewers recommend it for groups of friends. One said it works best as an aperitif outing with company rather than as a sightseeing activity on its own.
• Timing. The departure is in the early evening, and one reviewer specifically chose the sunset slot. Check the live booking page for the exact time being offered on the chosen date.

Common issues. The route follows the same section of canal out and back, and one reviewer did not consider it the most attractive stretch, so the appeal rests more on the food, wine and atmosphere than on the scenery. Another felt the value was questionable for the price paid for a sunset slot. One traveller found beer unavailable on their day, with carbonated drinks offered instead, so the drinks offer may vary. Beyond that, the listing notes only that boarding starts 30 minutes before departure, and travellers need to make their own way to the kiosk.

Common Questions