Classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, this magnificent creation 240 kilometres long, which links the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, represents a great technical achievement and is still today a pleasant and original way of visiting the Aude.

Pierre-Paul Riquet, born in Béziers in 1604, was the man who dared to take up the challenge that had already discouraged others. After conducting experiments in the grounds of his private home, he submitted his plan before Colbert who easily obtained the agreement of Louis XIV.  In fact the economic advantages of such a project no longer needed to be demonstrated.  As for the finance, Riquet managed to find sponsors and also used a great deal of his own private fortune.  He died on 15^th May 1681, shortly before the Canal, which he owned, was filled with water.  His heirs rapidly made the Canal profitable thanks to a tax levied on transport of goods.

During the French Revolution the state took possession of the Canal but,  because of lack of foresight it was not able to adapt the Canal to the technical evolution of shipping.

Nowadays the Canal has found a new life thanks to “river tourism”.

What is more relaxing than taking one’s time to drift with the current to discover the magnificent countryside and the picturesque hump backed bridges and locks (there are 64 of them) that stretch along the Canal!