Canal du Midi

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Explore
The Canal du Midi – a brief overview
The must-sees
Stopover towns

Along the waters
Along the waters

Click to discover a portion of the canal in detail
By boat, by bicycle, on foot
By boat

Sailing on the Canal du Midi
Boat hire and organised trips
Route planner for boaters
All the information you need for sailing
Locks and ports on the Canal du Midi

By bike

Cycling along the Canal
Bike hire / organised cycling outings
Route planner for cyclists
The Accueil Vélo establishments and services

On foot

Walking along the Canal
Route planner for walkers
Plan your trip
Plan your trip
How long does it take to visit the Canal du Midi ?
When is the best time to visit the Canal du Midi ?
How to get to the Canal du Midi ?
Maps and brochures

Bike or boat hire
Route planner
Organising your journey
Swimming and water sports

Tourism information
Where to stay ?
Where to eat ?
History and heritage
The origin
of the canal

Pierre-Paul Riquet
Other project proposals before the Canal du Midi
The national and geopolitical context
Riquet's motivation

350 years
of history

Construction between 1666 and 1694
The major changes between 1694 and today
The Canal du Midi management
The Canal du Midi archives
The evolution of navigation

A technological achievement

The 1st long summit-level canal
The water supply system
The locks
The aqueducts
12 outstanding engineering works
Shaping the territory

Built heritage
Landscape heritage
The canal trees over the years
Memorial sites

A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Life along the canal
Life along the canal

Who does what ?
How does the canal operate today ?
What is the Canal du Midi used for ?
The people working on the canal
Wildlife and biodiversity

Unmissable events on the canal

ESCALQUENS

Opening

10 octobre 2026

31750 ESCALQUENS

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Who are we ?
Latest news

Conference 11/2026
Press
Institutional

Any questions ?

Frequently asked questions
Contact us

Mentions légales
Plan du site
Accessibilité

Mentions légales
Plan du site
Accessibilité

A site managed by Voies navigables de France in collaboration with members of the “Entente du Canal du Midi” and their tourist operators.