The Canal du Midi is a 241-kilometre-long artificial canal connecting the Garonne River to the Mediterranean Sea between the cities of Toulouse and Sète.
Also known as the Canal of the Two Seas, the Canal du Midi connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea by joining the Canal de la Garonne. Its construction required large-scale work undertaken in 1666 by engineer Pierre-Paul Riquet, offering France a new communication route.
Today, it is one of the oldest canals in Europe, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Whether on foot, by bike or by boat, you can travel along it in its entirety or only for short stretches. In any case, you will not fail to encounter splendid historic towns, architectural works and natural beauty along the way,
Cruising the Canal du Midi means experiencing true relaxation, travelling at your own pace, in contact with nature, enjoying the gentleness of a sunny region and discovering the authenticity of the French countryside.
In the 17th century, the genius Pierre Paul Riquet of Béziers had the idea of connecting the Mediterranean to the Atlantic in order to guarantee the South of France a perpetual supply of water.
In order to realise this innovative project, the engineer drew a dividing line between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean basin: he found a way to divert the watercourses (channelling them into a specially created lake), building an artificial canal 241 kilometres long, 20 to 24 metres wide and 2 metres deep.
Locks were built to level the water level of the canal and allow boats to navigate easily. The locks work like dams, holding back the water and releasing it little by little, thus allowing all boats to cross the different water levels.
It took 14 years of work, 12,000 workers, 63 locks, 130 bridges: today the canal is used by 10,000 boats a year, carries 90,000,000 m3 of water and is the longest navigable artificial waterway in France.
The Canal du Midi is one of the most majestic routes in Europe, to be discovered on foot, by bicycle or by boat and the grandest civil engineering work since Roman times, the main route for tourism in the Occitane region.
The Twin Bridges of Toulouse symbolise the starting point of the Canal du Midi, kilometre 0. They are a set of three bridges: the Canal Lateral à la Garonne (going towards Bordeaux), the Canal de Brienne and the Canal du Midi.
As well as visiting the city of Toulouse, don’t miss the dry dock, which since the 19th century has housed Canal du Midi boats in need of repair in its holds. One of the 30-metre-long holds is covered and allows work on the barges in all weathers.
The link between Toulouse and its canal is so strong that a statue in the likeness of Riquet stands atop the Allées Jean Jaurès.
At the heart of a 29-hectare estate, the Château de Bonrepos-Riquet is a must-see along the Canal du Midi.
You can discover the history of Paul Riquet, the creator of the Canal du Midi, as well as his family. The visit also includes the park, the gardens, the orange grove, the ice house and the nymphaeum grotto, and lasts about 2 hours.
Ayguesvives is a commune in the Haute Garonne département, on the Canal du Midi road between Toulouse and Castelnaudary. A well-deserved stop is essential to observe the Ayguesvives aqueduct, built between 1687 and 1689. There is also a kiln and a mill around the lock.
Stop to admire the church of Ayguesvives, a Gothic-Renaissance building constructed of brick in 1500.
This is one of the essential spots to visit on the Canal du Midi. It is here, at the threshold of Naurouze, that the highest point of the canal is located, 189 metres above sea level.
From the very beginning, Pierre-Paul Riquet, the Toulouse entrepreneur who designed and built the Canal du Midi, has made this point a strategic one: it is here that the waters are partitioned either towards the Atlantic or the Mediterranean.
With its air of a quiet little town, Castelnaudary is world famous for its exceptional dish: cassoulet. For this alone, Castelnaudary is worth a diversion.
But the town has much more to offer, in particular thanks to its rich past, marked by the epic of the Cathar Country. Its large basin is a key stop on the Canal du Midi and sees the arrival and departure of numerous barges every day.
If you find yourself along the Canal du Midi, you cannot miss a visit to the famous medieval city of Carcassonne.
History lovers will enjoy strolling among historical monuments, cobbled streets and period houses. The 3-km-long city walls consist of 52 towers. Of Roman origin, the city of Carcassonne offers a real journey through time.
It is in this Black Mountain of the Massif Central that the Canal du Midi originates. From here, engineer Riquet developed an amazing artificial network, called Rigole de la montagne.
It is thanks to the latter that the canal is constantly supplied with water, flowing into the Saint-Ferréol reservoir, which in turn feeds the Rigole de laplaine, connected to the Canal du Midi. This water supply system ensures regular navigation along the Canal du Midi.
You can take advantage of this place to go on various hikes and see magnificent views during your trip: in fact, its banks are particularly suitable for forest walks.
Small village at the gateway to the Black Mountain, on the edge of the Corbières and in the heart of the Minervois.
Vauban devised an 11-arch bridge to evacuate water spilled from the canal caused by bad weather, flowing into the Argent Double river below.
Between the Argens and Fonsérannes locks lies the Grand Bief. This 54-km-long section of the Canal du Midi runs without locks, maintaining a constant altitude of 32 metres above sea level: a true technical feat.
The Canal du Midi meanders freely between plane trees, amidst the vineyards of two great regional AOCs: the Minervois and the Saint-Chinian, where several châteaux stand. The Grand Bief also passes through picturesque villages such as Poilhes or Capestang.
This stretch is particular for being overhanging. Therefore, the view of the surrounding landscape is magnificent. You might be lucky enough, on a clear day, to see the Canigou Pyrenees massif to the south-west and the legendary Caroux to the north.
The Répudre Canal Bridge is the second navigable canal bridge in the world and the first in France.
It is also the only canal bridge built by Riquet. The others were, for the most part, added by the architect Vauban.
Within a small authentic village, the Pont du Somail was built along the Canal du Midi: here, time seems to stand still. Stroll through the cobbled streets, surrounded by charming stone houses, and you will soon find yourself in a part of the canal where serenity and tranquillity are the main connotation.
This hamlet appeared with the Canal du Midi and served as a stopping point for travellers to spend the night. Two kilometres further on, at kilometre 168, is the Canal de la Jonction. This canal connects the Canal de la Robine going to Narbonne with the Canal du Midi.
After the Canal du Midi and the Canal de la Robine were put into service at the end of the 17th century, goods had to travel overland to go, for example, from Narbonne to Toulouse. The Canal de la Robine made it possible to link the two and thus favour the fishing ports in the south of the Aude.
The Canal de la Robine connects Narbonne to Port-la-Nouvelle on the Mediterranean coast. This small, 13-km-long canal is part of the great river network of Occitania.
It was built in the 19th century to connect the Canal du Midi to the sea, thus facilitating trade between Narbonne and the Mediterranean ports. It is also used for boating. It crosses a varied landscape, ranging from the salt marshes of Narbonne-Plage to the vineyards of the Fitou region. It borders numerous gardens and parks, including the Narbonne Regional Natural Park.
The only tunnel along the Canal du Midi, the Malpas tunnel is 600 metres long and lies between the Fonseranes and Bram locks.
A remarkable construction feat, it is considered a landmark in 17th century hydraulic engineering. Among other things, it avoided the construction of other locks and possible flooding, which was frequent in this part of the region.
Colombiers is a fascinating stop with ancient origins: protohistoric remains have been found there.
Its towpath, where you walk in the shade of plane trees, is particularly charming, as is its castle that has now become a restaurant.
The particularity of Colombiers lies in its river port built in a semicircle: it is the starting point of many canal cruises.
The locks of Fonseranes follow one another and overcome a drop of more than 21 metres over a length of 300 metres.
They constitute one of the canal’s most majestic and formidable works, the fruit of Riquet’s creative genius. Here, the engineer encountered a major obstacle: a difference in height of over 21 metres separating the Fonseranes site from the Orb river, which flows at the foot of the town of Béziers.
He thus created an elaborate system of nine locks, a marvel of civil engineering, classified as a World Heritage and Historical Monument. These eight round pools are surrounded by nine gates that allow the slope to be bridged.
Crossing the Orb has always posed considerable difficulties due to the amount of water in the river, which is at its highest in summer. The only possible solution was to build a bridge over the canal to cross this capricious river.
This structure, located less than two kilometres downstream from the locks of Fonséranes, changed the south-western suburbs of Béziers considerably. Not only was it necessary to modify the original course of the locks, but it was also behind the creation of the Port-Neuf and its lock, the only rectangular one on the entire Canal du Midi. With these new constructions, the city’s economic activity shifted from west to south, taking advantage of the junction between the Canal waterway and the railway lines.
Over the centuries, Béziers has managed to preserve its rich history and heritage. After crossing the Plateau des Poètes and the Paul-Riquet alleyways, which pay tribute to the man who created the Canal du Midi, you reach a very beautiful old town. From Romanesque churches to 17th-century private mansions, the village offers a true dive into the history of the town where the Canal du Midi flows, punctuated by its nine locks.
To enable boats to navigate in three different directions, Thau, Agde or Béziers, the Agde lock was designed.
Round in shape, like a roundabout, with three gates, the Agde lock is a true work of architecture. Watching the boats manoeuvre through this lock is a spectacle in itself, like a ballet in a quiet and relaxing place.
The Etang de Thau is located between Sète and the Canal du Midi. It covers 7,500 hectares and is a natural site of rare beauty, where several hundred animal and plant species coexist.
A true inland sea, the largest body of water in Occitania will take you to a multitude of universes: oysters from Bouzigues, delicious wines, small fishing ports, nautical recreation, an amazing architectural heritage.
It is at Pointe des Onglous that the Canal du Midi ends its course in the Thau lagoon. The waters of the Canal du Midi become one with the waters of the pond.
To conclude your journey of unmissable sites along the Canal du Midi, the Pointe des Onglous, with its small lighthouse at the end of the pier, its oyster farms and its panorama as far as the eye can see, will be a worthy finale.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
The best way to discover the Canal du Midi and the fabulous area it runs through is to rent a boat for a week and sail the 240 km of the canal from Toulouse to Marseillan. You can sail it all or just a section, for several days or just one day, or you can take an organised cruise.
In any case, it is a slow-paced tourism that rediscovers the silence of nature, the lapping of the water and the beauty of the territories you cross.
The Canal du Midi is an easily navigable waterway, one of the busiest in France. A must for barge cruises, this treasure of European river heritage is an experience to be enjoyed with family or friends.
Hiring a boat on the Canal du Midi is very easy: the various mooring points are entirely dedicated to tourist river navigation and you will find numerous agencies specialised in boat hire.
After selecting your criteria such as the period, the boat model, the number of beds and the presence of a captain, you will be able to find the solution that suits you best.
In addition, some charter companies offer different options on board, such as hiring bicycles, barbecues or fishing rods. Always remember to check whether bed linen and towels are included in the rental.
You do not need a licence to rent a boat on the Canal du Midi: it is only necessary if you want to use your own boat.
The boats for hire are without a licence and no previous experience or knowledge is required. At the time of hire, you will be given a practical demonstration: during a briefing before departure, you will be shown how the boat works and how to carry out simple steering and mooring manoeuvres.
Before departure, you will be issued with a provisional navigation card covering the duration of your stay.
Going through locks may be impressive at first glance, but in reality it is a simple and safe passage. All you have to do is respect a few basic rules that you will be given at the briefing.
The average navigation speed is 6 km/h on the Canal du Midi: the maximum limit is 8 km/h. You will be asked to adjust your speed in the presence of smaller boats, such as rowing boats or canoes. Finally, when approaching locks and bridges, be sure to reduce your speed to 3 km/h.
As far as mooring is concerned, the rules are simple: you can stop wherever you want, whenever you want, provided of course that you do not get in the way of navigation. You can use the terminals on the banks, provided for this purpose, or plant the poles provided on the boat.
You can park in a port and thus benefit from the corresponding services such as water, electricity: of course mooring at the port at night is subject to a charge.
Boat rentals on the Canal du Midi generally start at 2 days. Day rentals are possible but the time available to enjoy this experience would be very limited. Instead, we recommend that you spend more time cruising, a minimum of 4 days, while 1 week is ideal to make the most of the trip and all the treasures along the waterway.
Most companies offer a charter package for a round trip on the same basis. However, some companies offer a one-way service, i.e. pick up the boat at one location and return it at another mutually agreed point. This will allow you to cover more kilometres and discover more landscapes.
The price of hiring a boat on the Canal du Midi varies greatly according to several criteria: its size and the number of passengers it can accommodate, the duration of the hire, the period.
Normally you can sail alone, but there is the possibility of being accompanied by a captain who will also act as a tour guide.
The prices can therefore range between € 700 and € 4,000 per week while the daily rate varies from € 120/day for 3 people and can go up to € 800 for 10 people.
Fuel and storage must also be added to the rental rates, while the cost of passing through the locks is included in the rental.
Throughout the entire route there are 63 locks and 91 chambers, including several staircases. These staircases are electrically operated and therefore do not take too long to climb.
Most of the locks on the Canal du Midi are user-operated. You will therefore have to be prepared to get on and off the boat to use the controls. Some locks may have a lock keeper who will help you along the way. The control panels and instructions are very easy to follow, so you will have no problems.
The best time to experience a boat cruise on the Canal du Midi is from spring to autumn, when you can enjoy mild weather and beautiful scenery.
Between June and August the weather is consistently warm and sunny, however, keep in mind that in August temperatures can exceed 30°C and the mugginess on the boat is stifling. If you cannot stand the heat, it is best to travel at the beginning or end of summer.
In fact, many travellers recommend cruising the Canal du Midi in late spring or early autumn to take advantage of the good temperatures and admire beautiful colour palettes.
The Canal des 2 Mers is the cycle path that connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, successively taking the Canal de Garonne and the Canal du Midi.
It is now the only tourist bike route linking the two French coasts, on the axis of Emperor Augustus’ Via Aquitaine, thus crossing two major tourist regions, New Aquitaine and Occitania.
There are more than 750 km of landscapes, heritage discoveries and gastronomic riches that mark the route for cyclists. Another feature that makes this route unique is the exceptional variety of heritage concentrated along it. In fact, the route follows the towpaths of the Canal Latéral de la Garonne, the Canal du Midi and the Canal de la Robine, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, among waterways that today enchant all cycling enthusiasts.
You will use the old paths that were once used to pull boats ashore and that have now been converted into cycle paths. They are flat and suitable for everyone, alternating beaten tracks with wilder parts. The trails are equipped with numerous services for cyclists, such as storage spaces for bicycles, repair kits and tourist offices to find information on the routes.
If you do not plan to set off with your bike in tow, you can rely on Accueil Vélo, which provides a list of authorised bike rental companies.
If you have decided to follow the Canal du Midi by car or bicycle, without dedicating several days to navigation, you will be able to make several strategic stops along the way: in fact, the canal passes through or near many spectacular tourist cities such as Toulouse, Béziers, Carcassonne, Narbonne.
Here you can find hotels, B&Bs and all kinds of accommodation for a relaxing and peaceful stay.
The quickest way to reach the Canal du Midi is certainly to land at Toulouse airport where you can conveniently rent a car and head towards your destination, discovering all the facets of the magnificent landscapes around the Canal and the region. Proceeding at your own pace, you will have all the freedom to move from place to place, stopping on the way to take photos of the magnificent Occitan landscapes.
Alternatively, you can land at Marseille airport and after collecting your rental car, you can drive to the Etand de Thau, one of the extremes of the Canal de Midi in less than 3 hours.