It’s a 360 km network of waterways linking the Mediterranean and the Atlantic through 328 structures, including locks, bridges, and tunnels. We also visited Castelnaudary, the highest point of the canal at Col de Naurouze, and the junction with the Garonne in Toulouse. It is a typical place at the Canal du Midi, the technical facilities of the lock seem unchanged and also the lock keeper's house has been preserved. Rising in the historic city of Toulouse, this is the country's most famous canal. The climate along the Canal Du Midi is Mediterranean. The first stop was in the center of Toulouse, between Boulevard des Minimes and Boulevard Matabiau. A few other places where we had a short stop: Malpas tunnel, the first navigable canal tunnel in Europe; Le Somail, a picturesque hamlet, once a stop for mail ships, some buildings, a chapel and an old stone bridge have been preserved; The Argent-Double Aqueduct, also an overflow to the Argent-Double river; a triple lock and the Orbiel Aqueduct in Trèbes. Today, the construction is not very impressive, but in the 17th century the dam in Saint-Ferréol was the highest in the world. Cant' be beat. Constructed between about 1080 and 1120, the Romanesque landmark is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's therefore an ideal place to drop anchor in and explore. Later on I visited the Canal du Briennes near Toulouse and pretty much had the same experience there too. One could argue that you can do Canal du Midi justice only by renting a boat to navigate a portion of it. We have seen the beautiful canal at Fonséranes, near Béziers, where are nine lifts that go over 25 m and are 315 m long, a port and a bridge, that makes the canal cross the river Orb. The Canal du Midi was officially inaugurated in 1681. Your main worries should be RAIN and WIND! Canal Du Midi Bike Tours! We docked at towns like capestaing and trebes for the night and picked up bread and croissants each day after 7 am when the bakeries opened. It is the oldest canal in Europe and the first canal in the world to use locks, who were invented by Leonardo Da Vinci when he lived his last years in France. Diffusion http://ecranlocal.blogspot.fr/ The canal there looks like any stream in an urban setting, nothing too exceptional. A wonderful trip. On the north bank, the walking/biking path is paved, while on the south bank there are unpaved car tracks. In for a laugh? The principle is that the river is split in two streams, which cross the canal through separate aqueducts. The Canal du Midi is truly magnificent. From the standpoint 17th century engineering, doubtless it must have been regarded then as a miracle. But on this journey, your voyage effectively ends at Étang de Thau, the largest of a string of lagoons located near Sète. Normally, the levels of the two streams are very similar, so that a conventional aqueduct was not applicable. Must-sees include the cathedral, seen here at dusk overlooking the old town and its bridge. Traveling west-east from Toulouse to Sète, the locks numbered 1–18 are ascending and 19–86 are descending. He was conscious that he was creating a symbol of the power beyond a functional communication wateway: he ensured the quality of the architecture and the works were designed with monumental dignity and simplicity. But it was too late in the day to see the exhibition, and I did not think another look at the canal itself would add anything to my impression of it. From step to step it worked better - learning by doing with success. From here, your voyage continues to Agde. With eight successive chambers and nine lock gates a boat can be lifted a height of 21 metres at a distance of 300 metres. Great Republic Day sale ends today, Experience productivity at its finest with the Vostro 5402. Couple that with side visits to Carcassonne, Minerve, and Narbonne and … 2.480 Average Every year, hire boats ply its emerald green waters, with some making the voyage all the way to the Mediterranean coast. The Canal du Midi was built between 1666 and 1681 by Pierre-Paul Riquet to provide an … That being said, a boating cruise is still something on the list for my future visits to Occitanie. The structures and technical facilities might not be very impressive for today's visitors. I also stopped at the Port-Lauragais Service Area on A61, which allows pedestrian access to the canal and has an exhibition pavilion dedicated to it. The surrounding countryside is beautiful, with everything Mother Nature has to offer. The town once served as the resting place for passengers on the mail barge operating between Toulouse and Agde. It was a calm and peaceful atmosphere, the time seemed to pass more slowly than elsewhere. So we decided to visit the Canal du Midi by car on our trip from Arles via Carcassonne to Toulouse. You might as well take a look at the Opidum d'Enserun. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the Canal du Midi three times, although I have never been able to navigate the Canal by boat. Her beautiful interior makes the most of traditional materials such as African hardwoods and shining brass to create a warm onboard feel, reminiscent of a classic yacht. It would be interesting to see how the facility operates at high water. Another option: by bicycle on the old towpath along the canal. You can feel it. Subsequently, if you don't have time for a boating cruise, making a short visit to a random point on the canal is entirely sufficient for "seeing" it. Canal du Midi barge holidays are an entirely unique way to see the South of France. but it was what we needed - a leisurely week to appreciate the waterways, food and wine and great weather. Day 5 – Paraza PK158 The Canal du Midi is also a love affair of man , nature and engineering . Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, this Canal is lined with ancient monuments and hidden villages with thousands of secrets. Once used to transport goods and people, the waterway is now mainly used by boaters and other tourists. We enjoyed very much our trip along the Canal du Midi. We decided on the Mediterranean route as this involved less locks (cowards!) But that would take several days, and I'm afraid it might be a bit boring after a while. Although we love the experience, we were horrified to discover that boat effluent is being dumped in the waterway. On this stretch, boats and barges line one side of the waterway, while the north bank becomes a walking and biking path. The Canal du Midi remains the masterpiece of Pierre-Paul Riquet, a French canal-builder and engineer. This isn’t your only option. 3.50 Italy / Czech Republic - 07-Feb-06 -. At 360km and with 328 structures (bridges, locks, aqueducts and tunnels) it is a true work of art and was the largest construction site of the 17 th century in France. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this canal is defined by its beauty, lined with shady plane trees which often touch to form an arc of green above the water from bank to bank, and crossed by pretty … 1 locations, The site has There are explanatory panels, but I'm not sure if I understood all the technical details. Travellers along the canal are quick to offer a ‘bonjour’ to one and other. The bridges cross three canals: du Midi, Latéral and Brienne. Oh, and it does smell so nice over there. Connect with friends faster than ever with the new Facebook app. The magnificent 13th-century Church of the Jacobins is celebrated for its vaulted roof. Enjoy wine tasting, cycling, and sightseeing at medieval villages. (Photo: Carcassone sits on the Aude River, which is bordered by the Canal du Midi. Most ‘nature moorings’ (posts for tying u… For anyone who is not sure whether they can cope with locks, try this route - only 14 to navigate and it's good fun. Obviously, we realise now the reason for the putrid water. This was one of the great technical innovations by Pierre-Paul Riquet, the engineer of the canal. Canal du Midi ~ Carcassonne ~ Robine Canal ~ Narbonne The sun-drenched South of France home of vineyards, sunflower fields and the world-famous, historic, Canal du Midi . But one have to take into account that most of the constructions date from the 17th century and were built with rather simple equipment. Easter, and the canal is much less busy than during the high season. A remarkable work of engineering, the Canal du Midi twists and turns through some of the most beautiful countrysides in southern France. Wine , cheese and bread while underway and then to a new village and a restaurant for dinner. The Canal du Midi is steeped in history and heritage. A shame. Click on map to enlarge the Canal du Midi cruise region The canal is served by several tour operators offering novices the chance to navigate their own barge along the entire watercourse or selected sections of the waterway. Overall, I feel that taking a first-hand look at Canal du Midi does not add a lot in terms of appreciation of this feat of engineering beyond what you can gather from reading about it. The Canal du Midi, designed and built by Pierre-Paul Riquet in 1662-1681, is a remarkable work of engineer­ing, justifying its inclusion in the Unesco world heritage list in 1996, and one of the most popular cruising waterways in France. The Canal du Midi is recognised as one of the most beautiful and popular waterways in Europe. The Pont Neuf arch bridge dates back to the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Would be more appealing to me, but it would also take a few days to see a substantial part of the entire stretch. The surrounding landscape was also taken into account: the canal was framed by trees and plantations. There are moorings and facilities placed at regular intervals, often with electricity and water and sometimes even showers and a laundry. The Canal du Midi was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997. The classical way is to navigate the canal by boat. One of the delights of travelling along the canals is that you can pull over and tie up almost anywhere. Through a Canal du Midi boat hire, you’ll see stunning cathedrals, grand châteaux, ancient ruins and medieval cities. Relax Bike Tours, based out of Béziers, France, is excited to offer you a fantastic cycling holiday along the Canal Du Midi. When money didn’t arrive from the court (the project cost 15 million libras) he had to spent his; he died before the canal was finished. Unfortunately, this is not regulated and often we heard that people were told to just dump their toilet into the Canal.This is an UNESCO World Heritage site and as such, one would assume care of the Canal would be of prime importance. The French can be proud. Our route is level and car-free. Further southeast, in Donneville, the canal fully assumes rural features, dissecting fields and rolling by small villages. Here, the scenery became really picturesque, and I spied couples and families enjoying idyllic tranquillity. We stayed in Carcassonne, and the next day we went to the Bassin de Saint-Ferréol, the main water reservoir of the Canal du Midi. And for me as a Northern European, it is very nice to see that life has a different pace along the banks of the Canal. First we headed for the round lock at Agde, a basin with three gates that connects the canal with the Hérault River. This is the largest walled city in Europe. The picturesque Saint-Joseph Bridge spans the Canal du Midi near Agde, the Mediterranean port of the canal. Tie your boat up and watch the. We started at Beziers with the plan to reach Aigues Mortes and return - we eventually reached Carnon! This 330-year-old waterway skirts the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean before meandering inland through ancient villages, Roman fortifications and famed vineyards. Flexible cancellation or change Houseboat BOOM Péniche (1894, refit 2013) 98.42 feet Skipper included in the price. Canal Du Midi Climate. How to visit a canal of more than 240 kilometres in length - indeed a good question. Probably because we stayed two nights at Marseillan - a lovely village with really nice restaurants. The photo shows the lock in Homps where we had a sumptuous picnic. Riquet and his engineers had to find innovative solutions for the water supply, the flood protection, the rivers that cross the canal, etc. The Canal du Midi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it has a truly fascinating history. But to be honest, our main goal was not the dam but the nearby town of Revel, every Saturday there is a wonderful market in and around a medieval market hall. english version. The construction is a jumble of slide gates, ring gears, bars and chains. During the two days, we saw only about a dozen boats, but the ports were full of boats, suggesting that the canal may be quite crowded in high season. Visitors to Carcassonne will find that the canal is also next to the train station there. Finding myself in Toulouse and having only a couple of hours to spare in August of 2017, I figured I'd stop at a few random points along the canal and call it a reasonable visit. Passing through historic water locks you will discover charming medieval villages and ancient fortress cities. However, most people cycle the Canal Du Midi in the "better" months of summer. Everyt curve in the canal opens a new vista, I draw and paint , filled two sketchbooks and feel the need to return to pick up what i missed. The costs vary from €2-€20 per night. In Béziers is also the steepest section and the most spectacular place on the Canal du Midi, the Fonserannes Locks. In Toulouse, the starting point, you can walk alongside the canal for a long stretch - the main train station Matabiau is right next to it, and a statue of its mastermind Riquet can also be found in the area. 2.37 Score, Epic beauty of tree-lined Canal du Midi under threat as fungus strikes (14.08.11), The site has The 17th-century Saint-Marcel bridge in Le Somail. The picture is from this stop. Next we went to the Ouvrages du Libron, a complex system of gates and walls to protect the Canal du Midi from an overflow of the river Libron at high water. Seuil de Naurouze marks the highest point (190 m, or 623 ft above sea level) of the Canal du Midi. It’s a whole different kind of cruise experience. Video: Nokia N95 8GB. Also known as the Languedoc, the Canal du Midi cruise region boasts roughly 700,000 acres under vines, and is the single biggest wine-producing region in the world. Midi Canal, also called Languedoc Canal, French Canal du Midi or Canal du Languedoc, historic canal in the Languedoc region of France, a major link in the inland waterway system from the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. A magnificent waterway linking Toulouse to Sète and, not surprisingly, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Hotel Barge Anjodi. I then drove to the edge of the city, to the municipality of Ramonville-Saint-Agne, where the canal touches a small marina of Port de plaisance de Port Sud. It was fun to watch how a hobby skipper finally managed to steer his boat through all the lock chambers. Canal du Midi boat hire : go with the flow in the south of France, along this jewel of the waterways Your cruise in this famous waterways region, extended by the Canal Latéral à la Garonne, allows you to cover up to 500 km on your Pénichette ® or self-drive boat – with no license needed! The old Canal du Midi could easily be on everyone's bucket list if they like six days of being pampered on the Athos luxury barge by a staff that answer with a regular glass of local rosé. (Photo: A cultural highlight is the remarkable Basilica of Saint-Sernin. For casual visitors, this is probably the one of best spots to see the canal, but to really enjoy it, a boat ride is likely to be preferable. I visited this WHS in February 2014. A most attractive HD video along Canal du Midi by Castelnaudary (between Carcassonne and Toulouse), Languedoc in South of France. The canal is located in the south of France, connecting the Garonne River at Toulouse to the Étang de Thau on the Mediterranean. The Canal du Midi begins in Toulouse at Les Ponts Jumeaux – three bridges in the Port de Bassin de L’Embouchure (mouth). 43 Votes The well-known Moulin de Cugarel near Castelnaudary is a favorite visitor attraction. A major problem was to supply the canal with sufficient water throughout the year. 10 connections, Epic beauty of tree-lined Canal du Midi under threat as. Port Saint-Sauveur on the Canal du Midi is one of two river ports located on the waterway at Toulouse. This was not our understanding as we were told that the toilet mascerator separated solids from liquid and this was disposed of at port dumps. We were a party of four adults, novices at boating, and one of us (me) didn't like boats or water! The Canal du Midi is a commercial waterway and is part of the Waterways of Mainland Europe. The Canal Du Midi is surrounded by vineyards, fields of sunflowers and poppies. Early Sunday morning I walked on the towpath along that Canal until it joins the Canal du Midi. The largest work on the canal is the dam of Saint-Ferréol. Carcassonne is a real gem. Personally, I think it still is. (Photo: From Seuil de Naurouze, we head eastwards towards Castelnaudary through a tranquil and pastoral countryside. Picturesque Languedoc is France’s most productive wine region with many delicious ‘drink now’ varieties on sale, direct from the vineyards (free tastings welcomed) that border the waterway, for just a few euros per bottle. You will. Besides the city hall, the building houses a theater and the national orchestra. The original purpose of the Canal du Midi was to be a shortcut between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, avoiding the long sea voyage around hostile Spain, Barbary pirates, and a trip that in the 17th century required a full month of sailing. This map was created by a user. Discover the Canal des Deux Mers à Vélo, an exceptional cycle route linking the two seas of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Visit the nine locks of Fonsérannes. Nevertheless, his desire not to superimpose colours and the fact that he left large areas of the background in a pale grey colour can be related to neo-Impressionism. The Canal du Midi is a masterpiece of civil engineering - and it works until today. So, visit the Canal du Midi and the Aude region, enjoy it. And please, dot't forget, the Languedoc has a very interesting 2000 year old history. The skippers of the rental boats will make it worth your while, mostly not being hampered by any knowledge of seamanship and line handling. From there a canal, the Rigole de la plaine, feed the Canal du Midi at its highest point at the Col de Naurouze. On the other hand, the canal itself is uniformly the same narrow strip of water at any point of its stretch, only the surrounding scenery may vary. A remarkable work of engineering, the Canal du Midi twists and turns through some of the most beautiful countrysides in southern France. I liked very much the lifts and the bridge because of the quality of the architecture and their working, that I have admired when a boat passed them. Little tip for visitors in the neighbourhood of Bezier: a bit to the west lies the village of Nissan, close to the Canal du Midi. (Photo: The city's Musée des Augustins is a fine arts. 12000 men worked here and Riquet became its architect and had to have many capacities. Vineyards, the beautiful old trees, which are so typical for France. It runs for 240.01 kilometres through 95 locks from Port de l'Embouchure (Toulouse) (where it joins the Canal de Garonne - (Main line) and the Canal de Brienne) to Pointe des Onglous (where it joins the Étang de Thau). It’s forbidden to tie to a tree, so ground stakes must be used (you need to carry your own), but the reward is a huge amount of flexibility in terms of where to stop for the night. The Languedoc is responsible for more than a third of France’s total wine production. The Canal du Midi cuts through this sleepy town located near Carcassonne, which is certainly worth a diversion. Its architect Pierre-Paul-Riquet was a tax collector from Béziers and presented his project to the minister Colbert and to the Versailles court: only the king Louis XIV believed in him because he thought that it was the ideal connection between the port of Séte, that was under construction, and the ocean. Since I was based in Carcassonne, I first enjoyed an afternoon walk by the juniper tree-lined canal with its bridges and locks near Carcassonne. It is an UNESCO world heritage site and attracts many visitors every year. Anjodi is very much a hotel barge of the classic Dutch design and also the founding member of our fleet, embarking on her first cruises along the historic Canal du Midi 35 years ago.. When it comes to barging in the South of France, the scenic Canal du Midi is a must. We have made two Canal trips in France the latest during Aug/September this year. The Escargot Bleu Parked on the Canal du Midi in Le Somail, France After a cool refreshing shower, we wandered into the town in search of a frosty alcoholic beverage and something to eat. Its citadel—Cité de Carcassonne—was founded during the Gallo-Roman period, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Canal du Midi was one of Europe’s major construction projects prior to the Industrial Revolution, and even though it never really fulfilled its promise of being a major artery of the French economy and is today mostly used by house boats ad other pleasure boats, it is still quite a fascinating achievement. (Photo: Travel before March 21 & save 20% on your next booking, Last chance! Unless you take a cruise, though, you have to be content to visit it in bits and pieces. He was also very conscious of the impact of the canal to the landscape, so he planted trees and plantations along it. Coming out of Carcassonne train station on a day trip from Toulouse we crossed over the Canal du Midi on our way to downtown Carcassonne. Four adjoining channels are also included. The chapel dome of Hôpital de La Grave is reflected in the Garonne River. The massive Orb Aqueduct in Béziers is a later addition, it was built in the 19th century and is the longest bridge on the Canal du Midi (240 metres). Canal du Midi. There are a couple of lock gates by the side of the road, where it’s fun to watch the boats maneuvering in and out of the waterway. All the meals were good. The Canal du Midi is rightly on the list of UNESCO World Heritage. Customize any tour; All tours are private tours; Best bikes on the Canal Du Midi . Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, Ladakh Stand-Off: India, China Likely to Hold Next Round of Military Talks Tomorrow, Armaan Malik On His Epic EMA Win & How Complex Relationships Inspire His Songs, Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article, The Canal du Midi is a 240-km- (150-mi-) long canal in southern, Running westwards, the canal also joins the Garonne River to form the Canal des Deux Mers, joining Toulouse with Bordeaux—and effectively the. Cruising this 300 year old waterway, you will savor the slow easy pace of travel as you pass lush vineyards in the heart of the Languedoc wine region. 2016 marks the 350th anniversary of the royal decree authorising Riquet to build the canal, and the 20th anniversary of the … As with all locks on the canal, the chamber is oval, the curved walls better withstand the water pressure. The Capitole de Toulouse dates back to 1750. Discover the coast of Canal du Midi in a houseboat with 6 Cabins. You can pedal along for almost 800km beside the Canal de Garonne and the Canal du Midi, the latter a World Heritage Site, to explore unforgettable landscapes and sites. This is the largest open body of water within the canal, and also the site where its official opening took place. The old towpath varies in quality from a road that can be driven by car to a trail of a few inches wide. The canal is located in the south of France, connecting the Garonne River at Toulouse to the Étang de Thau on the Mediterranean. I finished off my visit with a great Cassoulet at Le Tirou, the number one restaurant in town if you want to try the best cassoulet ever! This climate is characterized long hot dry summers, warm springs and autumns, and clear mild winters. You need to be aware about lock procedures and also that the bridge at Frontignan only opens three times a day so you need to plan your arrival time to coincide with these openings. Photo: Béziers - Lifts of Fonséranes on the Canal du Midi. The Ultimate Guide by Andrea Hoffmann & Hans Zaglitsch is a handy-sized, up-to-date guidebook covers all the practical information and sightseeing opportunities that boaters – whether first-timers or experienced – need to know during their holiday on the Canal du Midi. Three of us were on the canal for a week from corbieres to trebes and back with a side excursion by bus to medieval carcassonne. Not a hotel but in fact a 16th-century Renaissance palace, the ornate Hôtel d'Assézat houses the Bemberg Foundation, a major city art gallery. The Canal du Midi is a 240 km long canal that in its time (late 17th century) was a great engineering achievement. For a change, I opted to visit the Grand Bassin of Castelnaudary where there were much more boats, a small river island and a different view of the Canal du Midi. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, the Canal du Midi is an engineering masterpiece stretching 240 kilometres (150 miles) from Toulouse to Sète on the Mediterranean coast. Learn how to create your own. It’s well worth spending at least one day sightseeing whilst you're here. The idea was to collect the water from the rivers of the Montagne Noir in a large reservoir. Historic Béziers is one of the oldest cities in France. Finally, at the edge of Ayguesvives, I came across canal locks. It's a pleasant and quiet route, mainly used by joggers and people walking their dogs nowadays. At Castelnaudary, I found an informative explanation of why the Canal is so important as an engineering feat and as a WHS. 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You will discover charming medieval villages and ancient fortress cities on I visited the Canal at Col de Naurouze the. And medieval cities remarkable work of engineering, the construction is a favorite visitor attraction by the Canal looks..., Narbonne and Toulouse wine, cheese and bread while underway and then to a trail of few. Being said, a French canal-builder and engineer east of the impact of the side canals is... Me, but in the center of Toulouse, this Canal, and also the section. City of Toulouse, between Boulevard des Minimes and Boulevard Matabiau of Saint-Ferréol with water... Founded during the Gallo-Roman period, and it works until today worth diversion... With thousands of secrets cowards! same experience there too Basilica of.... Calm and peaceful atmosphere, the largest open body of water within the du... Beziers with the new Facebook app delights of travelling along the Canal is so important as an engineering feat as! We had a sumptuous picnic year, hire boats ply its emerald green waters, with some making voyage!

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