Many plans to link the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas had been proposed over the years, but all had suffered from the same problem – how to provide a reliable source of water to feed a canal? This problem was finally solved by a salt tax collector from Beziers :

Pierre Paul Riquet.

As he travelled around the Languedoc collecting taxes, Riquet observed that waters arriving at the Col de Naurouze flowed both to the east and to the west, making Naurouze the ideal location for a summit pound. Riquet diverted water from the rivers and streams of the Montaigne Noir along specially constructed feeder channels that ran from the mountains to Naurouze. This provided the much needed water and a 5 kilometre long summit pound was constructed  between Méditerranée Lock and Ocean Lock. The feeder channels are still in use today and Riquet is acknowledged as being the father of the Canal du Midi.

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The Canal du Midi, considered by many to be France’s premiere canal, flows for over 240 kilometres through the rolling countryside of the Languedoc. This video-guide follows the waterway from its terminus in Toulouse, through the farmlands of the Lauragais Plain and on up to the summit level at The Col de Naurouze.

We then begin a descent of over 190 metres as the canal drops down through the vineyards of the Minervois to eventually arrive at the port of Sète on the Mediterranean.The guide also covers The Canal de la Robine as it drops down through Narbonne to the sea and also The Canal du Rhône à Sète as it crosses the Camargue to connect with ‘Le Petit Rhône’.

Included in the guide are features on the history and construction of the canal,  together with details of all the main towns and villages found along the waterway. The programme also includes information on the necessary paperwork required, hire bases, lock opening times and cruising hints.

Featured Locations:

Toulouse City and Waterway  -  Port Lauragais  -  Naurouze

Le Ségala  -  Castelnaudary  -  Bram  -  Carcassonne

Trèbes  -  Laredorte  -  Homps  -  Argens-Minervois

Ventenac  -  Le Somail  -  Sallèles d’Aude  -  Narbonne

Capestang  -  Colombiers  -  Béziers  -  Agde  - Étang de Thau  -  Sète

Palavas-les-Flots  -  Carnon – La Grande Motte  -  Aigues Mortes

Saint Gilles  -  Beacaire  -  Arles

Please note the VHS is  Pal Format and the DVD is Region 2  UK/Europe - They are not compatible for use in the USA