The Canal du Midi runs through Poilhes and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the port, boaters will find a mooring and services, as well as historic features. There are also natural attractions at the Étang de Poilhes and cultural sites from several eras. When choosing where to stay, consider whether the canal, nature or local history will shape your visit.
On the Canal du Midi: the port and walks
Poilhes is one of two key stopping points in the Canal du Midi area. Boaters will find a mooring and services at the port. A payment terminal provides water and electricity. Port services may change; check which services will be available before you arrive.
You can stroll along the shaded banks of the Canal du Midi in Poilhes. The port features a stone bridge, a wash house, an overflow weir, English cannons and the base of a Roman dolium. These various features give the port area tangible historical connections.
Nature at the Étang and seasonal activities
The Natura 2000 data sheet dated 16 January 2025 lists Poilhes among the municipalities of the Étang de Capestang. The Étang de Poilhes is of particular interest for wading birds during migration. If you are interested in these birds, migration season is the seasonal factor to consider when planning your trip.
A 3.5-kilometre stretch of the Canal du Midi near Poilhes is designated for night-time carp fishing. It runs from the downstream end of Poilhes to the upstream side of the Malpas Tunnel. Before fishing, check the applicable regulations and the designated stretch boundaries; rules may change.
Church, Roman history and prehistory
The present-day Église Saint-Martin de Poilhes was inaugurated and blessed on 2 April 1854, after three years of extension and restoration work. The Domaine de Regismont in Poilhes is classified as a historic monument. Both sites represent different aspects of local history.
Regismont was an Aurignacian hunter-gatherer camp where clear evidence was found of the layout of a settlement site. Regismont is one of the rare open-air settlements from the beginning of the Upper Palaeolithic and is dated to around 30,000 years ago. The Voie Domitienne lies a few hundred metres from Poilhes. It recalls the Roman road that connected Italy with Spain.
Horse activities, wine and local amenities
The Ranch d’Harres is located above the Canal du Midi, on the edge of Poilhes in the direction of Béziers, and offers sulky rides. Guided horseback rides lasting one hour or half a day are also available. Availability and booking conditions may change; check in advance.
In Poilhes, visitors can stop at a wine producer and sample local cuvées. Producer participation and opening hours may change, so check the visiting conditions. The village also has restaurants, gîtes and a small, typical grocery shop. Here too, it is advisable to check current opening hours and accommodation availability before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Marseillan, Lamalou-Les-Bains, Saint-Jean-De-La-Blaquière, Capestang, Portiragnes-Plage, Saint-Mathieu-De-Tréviers, Puilacher, Quarante.
For the regional travel overview: Hérault.
