A number of things spring to mind whenever a holiday to France is mentioned - a rich history, great food and some of the world's most beautiful scenery.
However, one of the most famous claims to fame France has is its amazing wine and vast vineyards, which draw many people from all over the world - especially to the Canal du Midi.
Much of France is dotted with vineyards and wine-producing regions, and for wine lovers, there is no better way to sample some of the country's best tipple than with a boating holiday down the meandering Canal du Midi, which takes visitors through the southern part of the country.
A popular spot for canal holidays, the waterway winds through one of the most important wine-producing regions in France - the Languedoc area - and as such, the length of the canal passes through many of the best parts of the country, enabling passengers to sample a tipple or two of French wine.
The Canal du Midi begins in the bustling town of Toulouse and runs south, taking in a variety of important historical spots on the way, including the medieval walled city of Carcassonne.
A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, the stunning engineering marvel is some 150 miles long.
The canal was built between 1667 and 1694 and those travelling down it on holidays to the region can enjoy contending with more than 80 different locks along their journey.
Some stretches of the canal go over incredible viaducts and aqueducts, including the beautiful Cesse Aqueduct and the marvellous Orb Aqueduct.
The latter is the longest aqueduct on the canal and continues for more than 800 feet.
Heading over the structure is a fun way to check out the stunning scenery below and is a great photo opportunity for those on canal holidays in France.
While travellers may not have the time to tackle the entire length of the canal, they may be interested to hear that the waterway links two of the world's greatest oceans - the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
Wine lovers taking canal holidays down the Canal du Midi will be spoiled for choice over where to stop and which delicious tipple to try, but a must-see part of this area of France is the region and vineyard of Carbardes.
This wine-growing area stretches all the way from the Pic de Nore to the ancient walled city of Carcassonne, and some of the best-known wine grape varieties can be found here.
Merlot and Cabernet fans will find a number of delicious wines to try and other well-known drinks that can be sampled include wine made with Cot grapes, as well as those featuring the Mediterranean types of both the Grenache and Syrah grapes.
Whether those on a boating holiday prefer white, red or rose, they will find something to suit on a visit to this interesting wine-growing region.
Those who are interested in the process of producing the tipple could enjoy a tour of the vineyard and should certainly invest in a bottle or two to take back home after their boating holiday.
One of the most interesting aspects of wine produced in this part of France is its deep flavour, which those in the know say comes from the wide range of terrains on which grapes are grown, varying from tall mountains to soil flats.
Wine fans should make sure they call in at the small port town of Homps while on a canal holiday in France.
This tiny but important community was once a base for many wine merchants, who used the harbour to ship their wine and other produce up to Bordeaux.
After strolling down the streets of the port, holidaymakers enjoying a canal holiday should next head to the pretty village of Bram, which is thought to be the oldest settlement in the region.
Sights on offer in Bram include churches dating back hundreds of years, as well as several beautiful examples of the typical architecture of this part of France.
The Canal du Midi's main attraction is certainly the ancient medieval city of Carcassonne, which is rich in the bloody history of the region and a beautiful place to wander for a good few hours.
The UNESCO World Heritage site boasts two distinct rings of city walls with more than 50 towers, as well as three kilometres of battlements and a huge castle.
The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire is also a popular sight in the city, which is split into two separate areas by a pretty bridge.