Maison Tranquil

The Canal du Midi (meaning canal of the two seas) is 241 km (150 mi) long. It was originally named the Canal royal en Languedoc (Royal Canal in Languedoc) but the French revolutionaries renamed it to Canal du Midi in 1789. It was considered at the time to be one of the greatest construction works of the 17th century.

The canal connects the Garonne River to the Etang de Thau on the Mediterranean and along with the 193 km (120 mi) long Canal de Garonne forms the Canal des Deux Mers joining the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The canal runs from the city of Toulouse down to the Étang de Thau near the Mediterranean.

Perfect for a lazy shaded walk and even a picnic under the plane trees that line the river banks. River cruises operate from Carcassonne for a cruise down the canal and through a few locks. The more adventurous can rent bikes from one of the local tour companies to experience a little more of what this fabulous canal has to offer.