The Canal du Midi is a historical engineering marvel, UNESCO site, and one half of the 360km long ‘Canal des Deux Mer’, which joins the Atlantic with the Mediterranean. Built in the 17th Century when France wasn’t quite as friendly with Spain, the canal is quite simply a work of art and provides some excellent boating and cycling opportunities as well as many picturesque locations to stop for a picnic and more.
The Romans first had the idea of building a waterway to connect the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, but despite their engineering ingenuity the project never got underway. In fact, it wasn’t until 1667 and the reign of the ‘Sun King’ Louis XIV that construction actually began. Pierre-Paul Riquet designed and built the canal, with the aim of transporting wheat, wine and textiles. It took 12,000 people over 14 years to make it a reality and officially opened on May 15th 1681. But it took another two centuries before the waterway was linked to the Canal du Garonne and Riquet’s dream of reaching the Atlantic was finally fulfilled.
One of the challenges that Riquet faced in constructing the canal was water supply. In 1660, he found the solution: our lovely Montagne Noire (Black Mountain), which essentially acts as a giant aquifer to the even higher landmass of the Massif Central.
A vast amount of water passes through the Montagne Noire, so Riquet and his team devised a clever water irrigation system and reservoir at nearby St Ferréol. From there a watershed was created at the highest point of thecanal, the Seuil de Naurouze, at 192m above sea level.
Thanks to this system, both sides of the canal – 360km of waterways – are naturally supplied with water all year round!
The Canal du Midi is a must-see if you’re in the area, and of course we will happily give you our recommendations on the best spots if you fancy a quiet family picnic, a half-day cycling trip or a relaxing full-day cruise on the water!
More information:
Local cycling routes
The Canal du Midi in nearby Puicheric