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User:Gloverepp/Aesthetics of the Canal du Midi

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The Aesthetics of the Canal du Midi brings together those facets of the Canal du Midi not included in its history, it's many locks, it's varied water features, nor its aqueducts. It does not cover these instruments of engineering that allow it to do its job of carrying boats and barges across the landscape from Toulouse to the Étang de Thau. Rather, it covers those things in between the starting and ending points that are not included in these other articles. This would be the cities and towns, the architecture, and interesting points along the way. [1] [2]

Orb Aqueduct
Grand Bassin in Castelnaudary
Trebes

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The sights along the Canal du Midi
Code: T=Town, V=Village, P=Port, At=Attraction
Code PK[A] Name Lat/Lon Comment
T 0.0 Toulouse 43°36′16″N 1°26′38″E / 43.604503°N 1.444026°E / 43.604503; 1.444026 The Canal du Midi has a junction with the Canal Latéral à la Garonne and the Canal de Brienne. Toulouse is an historic and cosmopolitan city with excellent shopping. [3]

Capital of the Midi-Pyrenees region and fourth largest city in France.[4]

At 0 Ponts Jumeaux 43°36′40″N 1°25′10″E / 43.61111°N 1.41944°E / 43.61111; 1.41944
P 0 Port de l'Embouchure 43°36′39″N 1°25′06″E / 43.61082°N 1.41822°E / 43.61082; 1.41822
At 0 Bas-relief de Lucas 43°36′39″N 1°25′06″E / 43.61082°N 1.41822°E / 43.61082; 1.41822
P 5.3 Port St-Etienne 0°N 0°E / 0°N 0°E / 0; 0
P 5.5 Port Saint-Sauveur 43°35′43″N 1°27′23″E / 43.59530°N 1.45629°E / 43.59530; 1.45629 Boats visiting the city are requested to moor here. The moorings have a full range of facilities and the city centre is nearby. [3]
T,P 11.5 Ramonville-Saint-Agne 43°19′30″N 1°17′01″E / 43.3249°N 1.2835°E / 43.3249; 1.2835 A modern port. [5]
T,P 12.5 Port Sud 43°32′29″N 1°29′27″E / 43.54128°N 1.49079°E / 43.54128; 1.49079 Restaurant and shopping. [3]
V 15.7 Castanet-Tolosan 43°31′N 1°30′E / 43.517°N 1.500°E / 43.517; 1.500 Village with moorings. Some shopping and market on Tuesday mornings. [3] Has a busy shopping area. [5]
V 25.3 Montgiscard 43°27′32″N 1°34′28″E / 43.4588888889°N 1.57444444444°E / 43.4588888889; 1.57444444444 Village with quay. Some shopping and market on Sunday mornings. [3] Founded in the 13th centruy by Alphonse de Poitiers. [5]
V 28.1 Ayguesvives 43°26′18″N 1°35′52″E / 43.4383333333°N 1.59777777778°E / 43.4383333333; 1.59777777778 Village with some shops and an attractive watermill. Nearby is the village of Baziège, home to the Château de Lastours; famous for its restaurant and antique shop. [3] [5]
V 33.3 Montesquieu-Lauragais 43°25′02″N 1°37′46″E / 43.4172222222°N 1.62944444444°E / 43.4172222222; 1.62944444444 Moorings with village on the left bank. [3]
V 33.4 Négra Lock 43°25′7″N 1°38′28″E / 43.41861°N 1.64111°E / 43.41861; 1.64111 At the lock is an inn, the old stables and a small chapel. This was once a staging post for the passenger boats. [5]
V 39.0 Gardouch 43°23′31″N 1°41′04″E / 43.3919444444°N 1.68444444444°E / 43.3919444444; 1.68444444444 Quay with village 0.6 km on the left bank. Some shops and a restaurant. [3]
V 41.2 Villefranche-de-Lauragais 43°24′02″N 1°43′08″E / 43.4005555556°N 1.71888888889°E / 43.4005555556; 1.71888888889 Best shopping between Toulouse and Castelnaudary. The 13th fortified town is pleasant has restaurants and a market on Friday mornings. [3]
V 43.0 Renneville 43°22′54″N 1°43′28″E / 43.3816666667°N 1.72444444444°E / 43.3816666667; 1.72444444444 Small village on the left bank. [3]
V 47.5 Avignonet-Lauragais 43°22′00″N 1°47′23″E / 43.3666666667°N 1.78972222222°E / 43.3666666667; 1.78972222222 About 2km from Port Lauragais. There is an old tower, erected in 1606, an attractive church, and a restored water mill. [5]
V,P 50.0 Port Lauragais 43°20′28″N 1°50′09″E / 43.34100°N 1.83586°E / 43.34100; 1.83586 Marina at an integrated autoroute station. Fuel, water, shop, restaurant and picnic area. [3] Has good moorings and a store selling local products. [5]

Riquet Cultural and Historic Centre. Rugby museum. [4]

At 51.7 Seuil de Naurouze 43°20′58″N 1°51′13″E / 43.34938°N 1.85357°E / 43.34938; 1.85357 Situated at an altitude of 190m. There is a park of magnificent cedar and plane trees and the huge octagonal Bassin de Naurouze. The Royal Mill is nearby, as is the Riquet Obelisk. [5]
At 52.3 Riquet Obelisk 43°20′58″N 1°51′13″E / 43.34938°N 1.85357°E / 43.34938; 1.85357 Obélisque de Riquet [3]
V 53.8 Le Ségala 43°20′19″N 1°50′10″E / 43.33854°N 1.83600°E / 43.33854; 1.83600 Small village with moorings, some shops, restaurant and railway station. [3] A pottery workshop shows cassoulet bowls being made. [5]
T 64.6 Castelnaudary 43°19′09″N 1°57′16″E / 43.3191666667°N 1.95444444444°E / 43.3191666667; 1.95444444444 Pleasant town with moorings. Excellent shopping and wide selection of restaurants. Large market on Monday mornings. Access to the Bassin de Saint-Ferréol by road. The Bassin is a large and beautiful reservoir and dam and is used for watersports. The area around the reservoir have many pleasant walkways. [3] This was once an important port and boat-bulding center. [5] Famous for its cassoulet stew. [4]
At 64.9 Ile de la Cybelle 43°18′51″N 1°57′18″E / 43.31428°N 1.95494°E / 43.31428; 1.95494 An island in the Grand Bassin. [5]
P 65.0 Grand Bassin 43°18′50″N 1°57′24″E / 43.31389°N 1.95673°E / 43.31389; 1.95673
At 65.5 Rail line passes under 43°18′45″N 1°57′37″E / 43.31248°N 1.96030°E / 43.31248; 1.96030 SNCF runs under canal through a tunnel.
V 70.6 Saint-Martin-Lalande 43°18′01″N 2°01′12″E / 43.3002777778°N 2.02°E / 43.3002777778; 2.02
V 76.0 Villepinte_(Aude) 43°16′57″N 2°05′14″E / 43.2825°N 2.08722222222°E / 43.2825; 2.08722222222 Village 1km on the left bank. Some shops and a restaurant. [3]
V 80.5 Bram 43°14′37″N 2°06′55″E / 43.2436111111°N 2.11527777778°E / 43.2436111111; 2.11527777778 Rental Station – Shops and restaurants in the village. [3] Gallo-Roman town built in a circular pattern around 14th century church. [4]
P 80.9 Port de Bram 43°14′37″N 2°06′55″E / 43.2436111111°N 2.11527777778°E / 43.2436111111; 2.11527777778
V 91.2 Villesèquelande 43°14′18″N 2°13′56″E / 43.2383333333°N 2.23222222222°E / 43.2383333333; 2.23222222222 Bridge with small village 0.5 km on the left bank, past the vineyard. This pretty village has an ancient church. [3]
V 95.9 Pezens 43°15′19″N 2°15′57″E / 43.2552777778°N 2.26583333333°E / 43.2552777778; 2.26583333333 Village 1.5 km on the left bank. [3]
At? 101.8 Jardin Botanique 0°N 0°E / 0°N 0°E / 0; 0
T 105.0 Carcassonne 43°12′47″N 2°21′07″E / 43.21306°N 2.352028°E / 43.21306; 2.352028 Spectacular fortress town with moorings near the town centre at the basin by the railway station. The town is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carcassone was, in the 13th century, one of the largest fortified towns in Europe and tourists are well catered for. [3] Two cities: the Bastide de St-Louis is the main commercial center built in the reign of Louis IX with the medieval la Cité which is the largest fortress in Europe. [4]
At 116.7 Orbiel Aqueduct 43°12′52.39″N 2°26′21.51″E / 43.2145528°N 2.4393083°E / 43.2145528; 2.4393083
V 117.3 Trèbes 43°12′38″N 2°26′32″E / 43.2105555556°N 2.44222222222°E / 43.2105555556; 2.44222222222 Small town with quay. [3]
V 126.2 Marseillette 43°12′14″N 2°32′34″E / 43.2038888889°N 2.54277777778°E / 43.2038888889; 2.54277777778= Village on the right bank. Some shops and restaurant. [3]
V 135.0 Puichéric 43°13′29″N 2°37′30″E / 43.22472220°N 2.625°E / 43.22472220; 2.625 Village 0.8 km on the right bank. The village has a square towered church, some shops and a restaurant. [3]
V 139.5 La Redorte 43°15′11″N 2°39′14″E / 43.2530555556°N 2.65388888889°E / 43.2530555556; 2.65388888889 Pont Vieux and restaurant. Village on the left bank with good shopping. [3]
V 145.5 Homps 43°16′06″N 2°43′19″E / 43.2683333333°N 2.72194444444°E / 43.2683333333; 2.72194444444 Village with basin and moorings. Shops, large wine shop and aselection of restaurants. [3]
V 151.1 Argens-Minervois 43°14′36″N 2°45′59″E / 43.2433333333°N 2.76638888889°E / 43.2433333333; 2.76638888889 Pretty village with boat harbour and picnic area. The village of narrow cobbled streets is overlooked by the square towers of the 14th century château. [3]
V 154.8 Roubia 43°14′54″N 2°48′02″E / 43.2483333333°N 2.80055555556°E / 43.2483333333; 2.80055555556 Village on left bank. Canal-side picnic area and some shops in the village. [3]
V 157.6 Paraza 43°15′02″N 2°49′56″E / 43.2505555556°N 2.83222222222°E / 43.2505555556; 2.83222222222 Village with quay. The village has some shops, a restaurant and a wine shop selling a local wine. Château on the outskirts of the village. [3]
V 160.9 Ventenac d’Aude 0°N 0°E / 0°N 0°E / 0; 0 Village with quay. The village is noted for the waterside wine cave where the produce can be sampled. [3]
V 165.9 Le Somail 43°15′54″N 2°54′29″E / 43.26500°N 2.90806°E / 43.26500; 2.90806 Rental Station – Pretty village with quay. Of note is the Librarie Ancienne which houses thousands of rare books, prints and posters. [3]

In the 17th century, the inn was the resting place for passengers on the mail barge operating between Toulouse and Agde.[4]

At 168.0 Cesse Aqueduct 43°16′48″N 2°54′55″E / 43.28000°N 2.91528°E / 43.28000; 2.91528
P 168.7 Port de la Robine 43°16′55″N 2°55′06″E / 43.28190°N 2.91837°E / 43.28190; 2.91837 Junction with the La Nouvelle branch and moorings. Access to Narbonne via the La Nouvelle branch.
V 172.6 Argeliers 43°11′N 2°33′E / 43.19°N 2.55°E / 43.19; 2.55 Quay with large village 0.7 km on the left bank through the vineyards. [3]
T 188.3 Capestang 43°19′47″N 3°02′43″E / 43.3297222222°N 3.04527777778°E / 43.3297222222; 3.04527777778 Small town with moorings. The tree-lined canal loops and turns before reaching the village so you may find yourself quite close to the town as the crow flies but still be several kilometres away by canal. The town offers a good range of shops and restaurants and a 14th century church. [3]

Noteable: The Capestang Bridge and Gothic Saint Etienne church. [4]

V 194.1 Poilhes 43°18′30″N 3°04′40″E / 43.3083333333°N 3.07777777778°E / 43.3083333333; 3.07777777778 Village with quay. Several shops and a restaurant. [3]
At 198.8 Malpas Tunnel 43°18′26″N 3°7′36″E / 43.30722°N 3.12667°E / 43.30722; 3.12667 First canal tunnel in the world. Above the tunnel is the La Maison du Malpas, a cultural center. On top of the hill is the Enserune Oppidum - a pre-Roman fortified village. [4]
V 200.5 Colombiers 43°18′50″N 3°08′29″E / 43.3138888889°N 3.14138888889°E / 43.3138888889; 3.14138888889 Village with marina. Supermarket, La Cave winery, some shops and restaurants. [3]
At 206.5 Fonserannes water slope 43°19′50″N 3°11′59″E / 43.330556°N 3.199722°E / 43.330556; 3.199722 (Fonserannes Locks) No longer in use. [3]
At 207.6 Orb Aqueduct 43°20′04″N 03°12′46″E / 43.33444°N 3.21278°E / 43.33444; 3.21278 (French: Aqueduc de Orb)
T 208.1 Béziers 43°20′51″N 3°13′08″E / 43.347615°N 3.218991°E / 43.347615; 3.218991 Town with moorings. Town centre 0.5km on the left bank. A supermarket and a good selection of shops and restaurants in the town centre. [3]

Birthplace of Pierre Paul Riquet. Magnificent cathedral St-Nazaire overlooking the Orb River. [4]

V 213.8 Villeneuve-lès-Béziers 43°18′56″N 3°16′52″E / 43.3155555556°N 3.28111111111°E / 43.3155555556; 3.28111111111 Village on the right bank. [3]
V 218.3 Portiragnes 43°18′19″N 3°20′11″E / 43.3052777778°N 3.33638888889°E / 43.3052777778; 3.33638888889 Village 0.4 km on the left bank. Several shops and restaurant. [3]
P 222.0 Port Cassafières 0°N 0°E / 0°N 0°E / 0; 0 Moorings and restaurant especially for boaters. Access to Redoute Plage 2km. [3]
At 225.1 Ouvrages_du_Libron 43°18′03″N 03°24′15″E / 43.30083°N 3.40417°E / 43.30083; 3.40417
V 226.4 Vias 43°18′49″N 3°25′09″E / 43.3136111111°N 3.41916666667°E / 43.3136111111; 3.41916666667 Pont Vieux with village 1.2 km on the left bank. [3]

Mediterranean beach resort of Vias-Plage is 3km to the south. [4]

T 231.3 Agde 43°18′39″N 3°28′33″E / 43.3108333333°N 3.47583333333°E / 43.3108333333; 3.47583333333 Town with quay. Town centre 0.8 km on the right bank. The town is set on a hill and is dominated by the 12th century fortified cathedral. Good shopping and a selection of restaurants and cafés.5km from the town centre is the resort on Le Cap d’Agde. It has fine sandy beaches and numerous cafés, restaurants and hotel. On the Eastern side of Capd’Agde is one of the largest naturist resorts in Europe. [3]

One of the oldest towns in France. [4]

At 231.6 Agde Round Lock 43°19′13″N 3°28′03″E / 43.320253°N 3.467624°E / 43.320253; 3.467624 A circular lock with three gates. [4]

See also

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Notes

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A Distance in km from the beginning of the canal in Toulouse.

References

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  1. ^ Vois Navigables Canaux du Midi. Editions De L'Ecluse. 2008. ISBN 978-2-916919-09-6.
  2. ^ Rolt, L. T. C. (1973). From Sea to Sea. Ohio University Press. ISBN 8124-0152-1. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: length (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao "WorldWideRiverCruise.com". Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Jefferson, David (2009). Through the French Canals. Adlard Coles Nautical. p. 275. ISBN 978-1-4081-0381-4.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Midi Camargue Waterways Guide 7. Editions Du Breil. ISBN 2-913120-04-0.