EDB 07 Canal du Midi

Hérault étang de Thau canal du Rhône à Sète embranchement de la Nouvelle Lez Petit Rhône canal dArles à Bouc

The Canal du Midi planned and designed by Pierre-Paul Riquet is best known for its large number of hydraulic structures. In this canal guide all these structures whether canal bridges spillways or culverts are presented with photos and drawings. The guide is limited to the Canal du Midi and the waterways east of Toulouse. You should definitely take the time on your tour to have a closer look at some of the historic structures.

The canal is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for the numerous plane trees on its banks. For some years however many of the trees have been infested with the so-called plane tree canker a disease spread by boats. In cooperation with the state waterways administration (Voies navigables de France) a list of precautionary measures was drawn up to limit the tree disease to the Mediterranean side of the canal. You can find the list in this inland guide.

Since 2012 more and more locks on the Atlantic side of the canal have been automated. Fortunately only the simple locks are affected the lock stairs continue to be serviced by the popular keepers.

The canal ends at the Lake Thau (Étang de Thau) which is however difficult to navigate in strong winds. In this inland guide you will now find a map of each harbour entrance of the lake.

The new fairway marked in 2010 by the staff "des Phares et Balises de Sète" is clearly visible.

Our journey ends at the Rhône delta which is especially known for its large number of very different bird species. Some of the most common species as well as the best observation spots are described in this inland guide.

Scale 1:50000/1:25000. Trilingual "Guide fluvial" (frz./engl./dt.) by Editions du Breil. Colour map drawings throughout text includes nautical and tourist information.