Castelnaudary Base Information

Base Opening Hours

Monday to Sunday: 08:30 to 12:30, 14:00 to 18:00

Late Arrivals

If you are going to be arriving at the base late, you will need to inform the base directly or the general sales office where you booked.

When you arrive at the base there will be a note on the reception door informing you where your boat is. The boat will be left open with the lights on for you to stay on board that night. The base staff will do the full briefing the following morning.

When To Arrive

Your boat will be ready to depart for 16:00 - 18:00. We recommend that you arrive 60 minutes earlier for check-in and instructions.

If you have booked an Early Check-in Service, please arrive at the base ready to depart between 11am and 12pm or from 2pm.

Upon Arrival

Our base staff look forward to welcoming you to their cruising region and aim to make your arrival and holiday as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

When you arrive our base staff will:

• Take a fuel deposit to cover the fuel you use during your holiday. Any extra fuel used will be charged on your return or we will refund the difference for fuel you have not used.
• Take a refundable collision damage deposit – if you have not purchased collision damage waiver. This will be refunded if you return your boat and its inventory undamaged at the end of your holiday
• Familiarise you with your waterways guide, maps and other helpful documentation provided to help you plan where you want to go and where you’d like to stop.
• Brief you about your boat, the equipment on board, and the cruising area (places to visit, etc).
• Give you a boat handling demonstration on the water with one of our technicians.

Parking

Outside unsecure parking - Free of charge
Outside enclosed secure parking: £35 per week

Market Day

A market is held in the town every week on Monday.

Shops

Spar (town centre, 15 min walking) - 09:00 - 19:30 (every day except Sundays)
Géant Casino (approx. 2.5 km from the base) – 08:30 - 20:30 (every day except Sundays)
Intermarché (approx. 2.5 km from the base) - 09:00 – 20:00 (every day except Sundays)
Netto - open Monday to Thursday 09:00 - 12:30 / 14:30 - 19:30, Friday and Saturday 09:00 - 19:30, Sunday 9:00 - 13:00
Leader Price - open Monday to Saturday 08:30 - 19:30, Sunday 9:00 - 13:00
Lidl - 08:30 – 19:30 (every day except Sundays)

Tourist Office

Place de la République,
11400, Castelnaudary
Tel. +33 (0) 468 230 573
www.castelnaudary-tourisme.com

Market Days

Monday mornings

By Road

Be Prepared

It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with local road rules and abide by them. Most European countries have a list of compulsory equipment that you must take with you. For example, there is a new legal requirement in France to carry a breathalyser, triangle & florescent jacket in your car. For driving advice and a list of the equipment you’ll need, please visit www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas

Directions

Directions from Calais: Take the A16 heading towards Saint-Omer/Reims/Paris. Take exit onto A26/E15 toward Saint-Omer/Reims/Paris. Then take the exit onto A1/E15 toward Arras-Est/Paris. Keep right to continue on A3, follow signs for A104/E15/Bordeaux. Take the exit onto A6B toward A10/Lyon. Keep right to continue on E50. Merge onto A10. Take the A20 exit toward Bordeaux. Then merge onto A62 and continue onto A61. Take the exit 21- Castelnaudary toward Castres. Take the D6 and then D623. Turn left onto Rue Général Laperrine and a slight right onto Quai du Canelot. Road distance approximately 1081km / 671 miles / 9hrs.

Directions from Paris: Take the A10/E50 toward Bordeaux. Keep left to continue on A10/E5, follow signs for A71/ Toulouse/ Bordeaux. Keep right to continue on A71/E9, follow signs for A20/Toulouse. Take the exit onto A20/ E9 towards Toulouse. Take the A20/E9/A62 exit toward Toulouse/ Bordeaux. Merge onto the A62, continue onto A61, keep left to stay on A61. Take exit 21- Castelnaudary toward Castres. Take the Route de Mirepoix/ D6 and then D623. Turn left onto Rue Général Laperrine and a slight right onto Quai du Canelot. Road distance approximately 735km / 456 miles / 6hrs 30 mins.

Car Rental

Avis - 0033 (0) 468 250 584
Hertz - 0033 (0) 468 254 126
Budget - 0033 (0) 468 723 131
Europcar - 0033 (0) 468 250 509

By Air

Closest airports
Carcassonne - 38km
Toulouse - 71km

By Train

Closest train stations:
Castelnaudary - 650m from the base

Ferries

The following ferry companies operate to Northern France.

• Dover to Dunkirk: DFDS Seaways (previously Norfolk Lines)
• Dover to Calais: P&O
• Newhaven to Dieppe: LD Lines
• Portsmouth to Le Harve: LD Lines
• Portsmouth to Caen: Brittany Ferries or try Northern Spain and drive across to South France
• Portsmouth to Bilbao or Santander: Brittany Ferries
• Plymouth to Santander: Brittany