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canal du midi |
The Midi Canal, in existence for more than 3 centuries,
was constructed by Pierre Paul Riquet between 1667 and 1681, with the help of about 12,000
workers, who dug out 7,000,000m³ of earth to connect Toulouse and Sète.
This
represents 240km(150miles) of canal, built using only manpower, during the reign of Louis
ⅩⅣ, the Sun King, "Le Roi
Soleil".
Conceived to enable the transport of goods and the French Navy between
the Atlantic ocean and the Mediterranean sea, it is now almost exclusively used by pleasure
boats.
during your trip you will discover a canal lined by trees, which meanders
through the land of the "Cathars", passing on the way locks, bridges and aqueducts of
the period.
You will come to appreciate the calm of the picturesque little
villages, which have preserved their charm and gastronomy, practically intact since the
canalʼs construction.
the Canal du Midi was recognised by UNESCO as a
world heritage site in 1996.
