Envisioned by King François I and his friend Leonard da Vinci in the 1500s, the idea of a grand canal that would connect the Mediterranean and the Atlantic was long a goal of French military and political leaders.

The main part of this canal, the Canal du Midi, was accomplished in the late 1600s under the direction of Pierre Paul Riquet and today provides many opportunities for recreation. It runs southeast from Toulouse through Castelnaudary and Carcassonne to the Bassin de Thau, near the Mediterranean town of Sète.

Other elements include the Canal Latéral à la Garonne, which runs from Toulouse northwest, connecting with the Garonne River and going to Bordeaux.

Want to really get to know a French canal? Join a canal barge cruise, or even a bicycling and canal barge cruise. More...

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Canal du Midi Recreation Canal du Midi Canal Barge Cruise Bike & canal Barge Cruise Carcassonne Castelnaudary About Languedoc About Toulouse About Pyrénées region