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After months of careful maintenance and restoration, Emma de France is back on the water and ready to welcome guests for another unforgettable season. Emma is more than a boat—she is a beautifully preserved piece of French heritage. Every detail has been carefully maintained to preserve her authentic charm while ensuring every cruise is comfortable, relaxing, and memorable. Slow Down and Experience France Differently The best way to discover Southwest France isn't by rushing from one attraction to another—it's by slowing down. As Emma glides peacefully along the historic Canal des Deux Mers, you'll enjoy tranquil waterways, beautiful countryside, charming villages, centuries-old locks, and breathtaking scenery. Every cruise is designed to let you disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with nature. Whether you're visiting France for the first time or returning to explore more, a canal cruise offers an experience you'll never forget. A Boat with Character Emma has always stood out because of her timeless elegance and authentic character. Rather than modernising her beyond recognition, we have carefully preserved what makes her special. From her classic design to the peaceful atmosphere on board, every journey reflects the beauty of traditional French canal cruising. Today, Emma looks better than ever while remaining true to her original spirit. Perfect for Couples, Families and Private Groups Whether you're planning a romantic escape, celebrating a birthday, enjoying time with family, or simply looking for one of the best things to do in Southwest France, Emma offers an unforgettable experience. Our cruises are intentionally intimate, allowing every guest to relax, take in the scenery, and enjoy the peaceful rhythm of life on the canal. Looking for something more exclusive? Our Private Canal Escape allows you to reserve the entire boat for your own group and enjoy Emma at your own pace. Sunset Cruises You'll Remember Forever There is something magical about watching the sun set over the canal. As the golden light reflects across the water and the countryside becomes quiet, Emma transforms into one of the most peaceful places to be in France. It's the perfect way to end a day of exploring the region and one of our guests' favourite experiences. Welcome Aboard This season marks a fresh beginning for Emma de France, and we couldn't be happier to welcome you back on board. If you're searching for an authentic canal cruise in France, a relaxing private boat experience, or simply a unique way to explore the Canal des Deux Mers, Emma is ready to welcome you. We look forward to sharing unforgettable moments, beautiful scenery, and the timeless charm of French canal life with you. Book your cruise today and discover why the most memorable journeys are the ones taken slowly.

The two “Emma” behind the name. The barge is named "Emma." It carried this name and sailed across all the waters of Occitanie for over 20 years, before being renamed "Black Mountain" for a few years. When Louise and I acquired the boat, we decided to restore its original name. We believe that a boat's name carries history and a spirit with it. As it has been named Emma twice, there are two remarkable women of history behind the name:  Emma de France  and  Emma de Provence . Each one lends a touch of heritage, elegance, and story to the journey. Both Emma were remarkable women who shaped France around the year 1000, a feudal period of high instability, a world dominated by men, iron, where the knowledge of the antiquity was lost for the doctrine of the church.   Emma de France: A Queen amongst Kings. Born in 894, Emma de France was the daughter of King Robert I and Beatrice of Vermandois. In the history of the queens of France (or rather, the queens of the Franks, for that era), the figure of Emma, who lived during the final years of the Carolingian dynasty, is often overlooked. And yet, Emma, Duchess of Burgundy through her marriage to Raoul (also known as Rudolph), became Queen of France when he was crowned in 923 - at a time when Emma’s own family had risen in rebellion. Her father, Robert I de Neustrie, had proclaimed himself king in opposition to the reigning and “official” monarch, Charles the Simple. It was Emma who did everything in her power to ensure that her husband Raoul would become King of the Franks, especially after her father Robert I was killed at Soissons. With the support of her brother Hugues, she pushed Raoul’s claim to the throne while her brother-in-law, Herbert II of Vermandois, kept the “legitimate” king, Charles the Simple, imprisoned Emma was the first Frankish queen to be crowned in Reims (July 923), and when her husband was off fighting in one region. She personally commanded the remaining available forces elsewhere. She led successful sieges at Avalon and Château-Thierry and defended the city of Laon, both against her own brother-in-law, Herbert II. Until her death in 934, Emma stood steadfastly beside her husband, helping to crush various uprisings from those who rejected the new regime, as well as repelling incursions by Viking bands (since the creation of the Duchy of Normandy had, in truth, resolved nothing). Her leadership and diplomatic skills were instrumental in maintaining stability during a volatile period in French history. She was known for her strength, diplomacy, and quiet influence in a world dominated by men. She held lands in her own right, and her marriage reinforced crucial alliances. Her presence aboard  Emma the barge  brings nobility and strenght from times long gone, Emma de France shares a sense of timeless French grace. Emma de Provence: A Countess of culture and arts Little is known about Emma de Provence, also called Emma de Venasque. She was born around 1000. She was the daughter of Rotbold III of Provence and Ermengarde. In 1019, she married Guillaume III Taillefer, Count of Toulouse. In 1037, Emma inherited the County of Provence upon her brother's death. She transferred the joined county of Toulouse and Provence to her son, setting a significant political force in the region. Her patronage of culture and religion left a lasting impact on the Provençal landscape.  Through her union, she brought the Cross of Provence into the Toulouse lineage. The cross later became the cross of Languedoc, and remains as the current iconic Occitan Cross. This emblem, with its twelve dots and equal-armed design, became a lasting symbol of Occitan identity, unity, and cultural pride. You’ll see it today flying red and gold above town halls and boats, ours included. She brings to  Emma  the poetry of the south, a symbol that has gathered people for a thousand year. She brings grounding in the region and the humility of the ones who do, change and build but are not remembered.   Two Women, One Soulful Journey Together, Emma de France and Emma de Provence shape the dual soul of our barge: noble yet rooted in the region, historic yet alive, European yet unmistakably southern. When you step aboard  Emma , you're not just floating in a region, you’re traveling with the spirit of queens.   Historical Timeline Emma de France 894  –  Emma de France  is born, daughter of King Robert I of France and Beatrice of Vermandois. 921  – Emma marries Rudolf of Burgundy, who becomes King of West Francia in 923; Emma is crowned queen consort. 931  – Emma captures the fortress of Avallon. 933  – Emma conducts a successful siege of Château-Thierry. 934  – Emma de France passes away. Emma de Provence c. 1000  –  Emma de Provence  is born, daughter of Rotbold III of Provence and Ermengarde. 1019  – Emma marries Guillaume III Taillefer, Count of Toulouse, bringing the Cross of Provence into the Toulouse lineage. 1037  – Guillaume de Toulouse dies. Emma inherits the County of Provence upon her brother's death. 1062  – Emma de Provence passes away, her surviving son inherits of the county of Toulouse and Provence.

The Canal Latéral à la Garonne stands as a remarkable feat of 19th-century engineering, weaving through the tranquil landscapes of southwestern France. Constructed between 1838 and 1856, it was conceived as a reliable alternative to the often unpredictable Garonne River, providing a stable, navigable link between Toulouse and Castets-en-Dorthe, where it meets the tidal waters of the Garonne. Together with the Canal du Midi, it forms part of an extraordinary inland waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea—a continuous route rich in history, beauty, and purpose. Stretching 193 kilometers, the canal features 53 locks, expertly engineered to manage the elevation changes along its course. Unlike the hand-crafted, irregular locks of the Canal du Midi, those along the Canal Latéral reflect the technological precision of the Industrial Revolution, with more standardized design and function. One of its most iconic landmarks is the Cacor Aqueduct near Moissac—a majestic structure of stone arches that carries the canal high above the Tarn River, blending utility with architectural elegance. It is a striking reminder that even feats of infrastructure can possess timeless beauty. In contrast to the Canal du Midi—built in the 17th century and celebrated for its pioneering vision and poetic harmony with the landscape—the Canal Latéral à la Garonne reflects a more modern and pragmatic approach to waterway construction. Designed with functionality in mind, it features straighter, wider stretches capable of accommodating larger vessels, responding to the growing commercial needs of the 19th century. While it may lack the whimsical charm of the Midi’s winding paths and tree-lined banks, the Canal Latéral possesses a quieter elegance. It flows seamlessly through a patchwork of vineyards, golden fields, and sleepy villages, offering a more understated, yet no less captivating, portrait of the region. Today, the canal is cherished not only for its historical significance but also for the leisure and tranquility it provides. Its calm waters are ideal for boating, while the scenic towpaths welcome cyclists and walkers seeking to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of the French countryside. Together with the Canal du Midi, the Canal Latéral offers a journey through centuries of history and engineering—a testament to human ingenuity and the enduring romance of France’s inland waterways.

We're Lou & Fred, the new owners of EMMA. We're excited to welcome you aboard to take a slow meander along the Canals of the Two Seas tasting local treats and soaking up the sunshine of South West France.

It took five full days of motoring to move the barge from Castenaudary to its new mooring in Montauban, the same journey by car takes an hour and a half. (131km). This is why we love slow tourism, because pace matters. You need time to appreciate close up the wonders of canal life.

The Canal du Midi stands as a testament to human ingenuity and vision, weaving through the sunlit landscapes of southern France with an elegance that matches its engineering complexity. Built between 1666 and 1681, it was conceived by Pierre-Paul Riquet as a solution to a centuries-old challenge: creating a navigable link between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This monumental project transformed the region, bypassing the perilous sea routes and opening new avenues for trade and communication. It was initially called the Canal Royal du Languedoc, before the name changed to the current one. Stretching approximately 240 kilometers, the canal is a masterpiece of design and innovation. Its slopes are managed by 63 locks, each a marvel of hydraulic engineering that seamlessly raises or lowers boats to navigate the varied terrain. Among its most striking features is the Fonserannes Locks, a series of staircase locks near Béziers that demonstrate the precision and foresight of Riquet's plans. The locks are still working nowadays! The canal’s infrastructure includes aqueducts, bridges, and tunnels, each a pioneering achievement of its time. The Orb Aqueduct, for instance, carries the canal over the Orb River, a feat that spared vessels from the challenges of crossing the river itself. Equally remarkable is the Malpas Tunnel, the world’s first canal tunnel, which cuts through a hill to maintain the canal’s uninterrupted flow. Yet the Canal du Midi is not just an engineering triumph; it is a work of art. Its tree-lined banks, originally planted to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion, now form a stunning canopy that provides shade and serenity. The canal meanders through vineyards, villages, and fields, offering travelers a journey that is as tranquil as it is awe-inspiring. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Canal du Midi remains a living monument to the brilliance of 17th-century engineering and the enduring beauty of human ambition harmonized with nature.