Céline Deschamps
En bateau sur la Canal du Midi Le Somail
1 territory, 3 canals!

The canal du Midi

The canal, which links up the territories of the Languedoc, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, is steeped in history (multiplied by three) on the Côte du Midi! Listed Unesco World Heritage Sites, the three canals – Canal du Midi, Canal de Jonction and Canal de la Robine – offer three different settings to explore on foot, by boat, bike or electric scooter!

Sometimes sinuous, sometimes straight, they invite you to gently follow their ingenious route, punctuated by monumental works of art and breathtaking landscapes!

The canal du Midi

Undertaken in the 17th century by Pierre-Paul Riquet to link the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the Canal du Midi, a fabulous life line between men, and trade line between regions, is today enjoyed by boaters and tourists!

A listed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, with its 240 km of navigable waterways linking Toulouse to the Mediterranean sea, and more than 300 structures – locks, aqueducts, bridges and tunnels, the canal is one of the most extraordinary civil engineering achievements of the modern era, paving the way for the industrial revolution. On the Côte du Midi, it crosses through the delightful villages of Ventenac-en-Minervois, Somail and Argeliers, and features magnificent works of engineering such as the canal bridge of La Cesse towards Mirepeisset, or that of Le Répudre between Paraza and Ventenac.

Céline Deschamps
Canal du Midi
Céline Deschamps
En bateau sur la Canal du Mid
Céline Deschamps
En bateau sur la Canal du Midi
Céline Deschamps
Canal du Midi

History of the Royal Canal

Before taking the name of "Canal du Midi", it was initially referred to as the "Canal Royal" then the "Canal du Languedoc". Devised by Pierre-Paul Riquet, this waterway was dug between 1666 and 1681. It is the second canal in French history after the Canal de Briare!

IBG Folio
Canal du Midi en bateau
Véronique Herman
Ventenac en Minervois
Grand Narbonne
Ventenac en Minervois
Claude Cruells
Le Somail

Le Somail

Before it became a marina, from the 17th to the 19th century Le Somail was an important trade and passenger port, with no less than 28,000 passengers in 1831! A unique atmosphere reigns in the port of Somail, where everything has remained the same since the 17th century.

Take some time to visit the icehouse, the bridge, admire the boats that come and go along the canal, or the geese and ducks that paddle in front of the outdoor terraces... A delight not be missed!

Visit Le Somail

Céline Deschamps
Bateau Canal du Midi Le Somail

The Somail bridge

Céline Deschamps
Librairie ancienne Le Somail Canal du Midi

The Somail bookshop

OT CDM
Mrs Cradock

Mrs Cradock

The canal de la Robine

In times gone by, the river Aude flowed through Narbonne... but this capricious little waterway decided to change its bed in the Middle Ages, and so it was almost natural that the canal de la Robine was built. Inspired by the ancient Roman port, the canal passes through Narbonne, then on to the lagoons the Mediterranean. La Robine is also nicknamed the "Canal des étangs", or the Canal of lagoons, since it passes through the magnificent Bages-Sigean lagoon before reaching its terminus at Port-La Nouvelle.

The 32-kilometre canal passes through settings that are by turns urban in Narbonne, and by turns rural in the heart of the lagoons. You can enjoy its quiet waters by renting an electric or pleasure boat, or by taking a guided tour aboard a gabarre boat or barge. Some will prefer to walk or ride along the landscaped banks in the shade of the century-old plane trees.

Côte du Midi
Canal de la Robine Narbonne

Narbonne

Bulle Communication
Canal de la Robine Ile Sainte Lucie

In the middle of the ponds

Côte du Midi
Canal de la Robine Port La Nouvelle

Port-La Nouvelle

Mairie de Narbonne
Canal de la Robine

A little history

La Robine takes its name from the Occitan word "Roubine" which means canal!

Built in the 14th century to bring water to the city's mills, the canal uses part of the ancient bed of the river Aude, hitherto called "Atax", along which the Romans travelled by boat. The commercial success of the Canal du Midi in the 17th century led to the construction of another canal in 1686 to link Narbonne to the Canal du Midi. Commissioned by Vauban, it reaches the River Aude at the place known as Gailhousty, where the rest of the route to the Canal du Midi is still by land.

Narbonne

Passing right through historic centre of Narbonne, the canal de la Robine is the city's pulse! Discover the historic centre by walking along the surrounding promenade des Barques or the Cours Mirabeau. Take a few moments on the footbridge to contemplate the Pont des Marchands. Whether on the left or right banks, oft-times transformed, this promenade is perfect for a pleasant stroll.

A few minutes' walk away, on one side, you will reach the Narbo Via museum where you can discover the secrets of "Narbo Martius" – the city's name in Roman times. The other side takes you to the medieval garden and its plantations dating back from the Middle Ages: "fleurs de marie", vegetables, medicinal plants, magic plants.

Some very nice walks in prospect!

Visit Narbonne

Ville de Narbonne
Passerelle Canal de la Robine Narbonne
Ville de Narbonne
Canal de la Robine Narbonne
Ville de Narbonne
Canal de la Robine Narbonne
Ville de Narbonne
Canal de la Robine Narbonne

From Narbonne to Port La Nouvelle

Once out of Narbonne, nature works its magic: the canal passes through the lagoons, with views of the massifs of la Clape, les Corbières and the islands.

Don't miss the island and the salt flats of Sainte-Lucie, a recognised regional nature reserve. You can visit Sainte Lucie by bike, by boat, or on foot... you will be amazed by the diversity of landscapes in this stunning regional natural park!

Claude Cruells
Ile de Sainte Lucie Port La Nouvelle
Claude Cruells
Sainte-Lucie
La Méditerranée à Vélo
Ile Sainte Lucie Port La Nouvelle Canal de la Robine

The canal de Jonction

The canal de Jonction connects the canal du Midi to the canal de la Robine. In fact, it is the "youngest" of the three! Not only is this canal a technical feat, it is also superbly laid out: rectilinear, lined with parasol pines and punctuated by 7 locks. It was more than a century in waiting before being commissioned in 1787, almost a century after the Canal du Midi!

Côte du Midi
Canal de Jonction Sallèles d'Aude

Sallèles d'Aude

The canal de Jonction is very much a part of village life in Sallèles d'Aude. To be sure, it extends over the entire town!

This canal's construction was the last step to finally connect Narbonne and the Canal du Midi, more than a century after the latter's construction. Don't miss the Gailhousty spillway at the extreme south of Sallèles d'Aude.

With its straight route bordered by parasol pines, the canal is both original and highly aesthetic!

Gilles Deschamps
Canal du Midi randonnée bateaux
Gilles Deschamps
Canal de Jonction Sallèles d'Aude
Gilles Deschamps
Canal de Jonction
Gilles Deschamps
Canal de Jonction
A.Spani(c)Narbo_Via
Amphoralis

Amphoralis

A stone's throw from the canal lies the Amphoralis, a museum that overlooks the archaeological excavations of an ancient pottery. Dating back to Roman times, it is an ancient amphora production workshop.

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