The accommodation at Berges du Canal enjoys a priviledged location, right on the banks of the famous Canal du Midi. Ideal for leisurely walks and bicycle rides whilst watching the canal boats sail by

 the Canal du Midi links the Atlantic Ocean with the Meditteranean Sea

v it was constructed by Pierre Paul Riquet

v it measures 240 miles long

v work started in 1667

v and took 12,000 workers 15 years to complete 

the canal at Capestang   a bridge near Colombiers the port at Capestang 

The famous Canal du Midi was constructed by Pierre-Paul Riquet, born in Beziers 1604. He was a wealthy man, a tax collector for Languedoc. at the age of 60 he invested all his money in the construction of the canal, but sadly died destitute in 1680 just a few months before it was finished. The canal was built to avoid having to sail round Spain, which at the time took a month, incurred Spanish charges and was a treacherous trip due to the Pirates.

The Canal is full of features, close to Residence Berges du Canal is the Malpas Tunnel - the first canal passage ever built through a tunnel, the aquaduct at Beziers where the Canal crosses the River Orb, and the nine connected locks at Fonseranes. Follow the Canal inland through the pretty port at Homps and lively Trebes, then on to Carcassonne. In the other direction, the canal meanders from Beziers to the sea.

canal near Colombiers  entrance to the Malpas tunnel  top of the 9 locks in Beziers     

Click here for a great article from the Independent about the Canal du Midi 

for further information on the Canal, visit this very informative website  http://www.midicanal.fr/  

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