The Canal du Midi Dream big, live slow

Canal du Midi - Occitanie - Explore France

Experience the Canal du Midi in all its forms: it's a historical landmark listed as UNESCO world heritage, royal channel for river tourism in Europe AND an iconic holiday destination in Occitanie! This one-of-a-kind feat of engineering runs from Toulouse to Sète with a cocktail of fabulous voyages, pretty towns, bike rides, boat trips, "guinguettes" (open-air cafés), Mediterranean scenery and vibrant events to soak up Occitalité when summer arrives.

From Toulouse to Sète

Breathtaking feats of engineering

The Canal du Midi, both a technical feat and a work of art, spans the ages and landscapes while preserving their authenticity and diversity. Away from the hustle and bustle, the timeless Canal du Midi is a 241km channel beneath the shade peppered with lock houses, classic Southern French houses, guinguettes and spectacular feats of engineering such as the Malpas tunnel and famous Fonséranes 9 Locks in Béziers.

The supply system of the Canal du Midi also testifies to the remarkable ingenuity of Riquet. The system originates in the Montagne Noire (Tarn), captures the streams and collects them in the Saint-Ferréol basin near Revel. From there, the water is carried by channels to the canal 20 KM from Saint-Ferréol!

To discover by going to the Sources of the Canal du Midi, Grand Site Occitanie.

 

Ecluses de Fonseranes - Béziers © Le Boat

World Heritage Site UNESCO

The Canal du Midi was created in the 17th century by Pierre-Paul Riquet. This unique work of art in the world was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996, becoming a privileged destination for river tourism in Europe.

The essentials of the Canal du Midi

From Toulouse to Sète via Carcassonne, the towns crossed by the Canal du Midi are all Grands Sites Occitanie. To discover absolutely!

Bateau Canal du Midi - Occitanie © P.Thébault

Canal du Midi by boat

A privileged destination for river tourism!

Let yourself be guided on the Canal du Midi, sightseeing boats and barges take you on a cruise of 1h30 to 2h or for a day, departing from Sète, Béziers, Carcassonne, Castelnaudary, Toulouse.

Learn more

Logo Explore France © atout France

Le Canal des Deux Mers à vélo - Occitanie

Linger a little longer

On the Canal des Deux Mers

The Canal du Midi was extended from Toulouse with the Canal de Garonne, built between 1836 and 1856. The two canals cover a total of 360km waterways to form the Canal des Deux Mers: cycle along the towpath on an epic adventure between the Atlantic and Mediterranean (V80 route). Your Occitanie pitstops: Moissac, Montech, Toulouse, Le Seuil de Naurouze, Castelnaudary, Carcassonne, Le Somail, Béziers, Agde, Sète.

View the itinerary.

How to get there?

  • By car: Occitania has a large number of motorways (A9, A20, A61, A75, etc.).
  • By plane: the region has several airports, including the international airports of Toulouse, Montpellier and Lourdes.
  • By train: the region is accessible from all the major cities of France and the European capitals.

FIND OUT MORE