The Canal du Midi, an engineering masterpiece

Classed as a world heritage site, the Canal du Midi stretches all the way from Toulouse to Marseillan in the Herault region. It attracts many visitors each year who come to spend their holidays in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, keen to explore its shady walking routes, the waterway, and the fascinating architecture, which combines functionality with aestheticism. On holiday in the Canal du Midi area, you could explore this amazing area at your own speed by bike, on foot, or in a boat!

Walk along the canal

Built between 1666 and 1681 by Pierre-Paul Riquet, during the reign of Louis XIV, the Canal du Midi was built with the aim of linking the Garonne River to the Mediterranean ocean by providing a commercial link. It took almost 12,000 workers and a lot of inventiveness to build the 240km of water ways, from Toulouse in the Haute Garonne region to the Thau Lake, in the Herault region.

It continues to show a wealth of expertise, with its locks, bridges, aqueducts, and ports, of which the port at the canal mouth in Toulouse, the port of Agde, or the port of Sete. The Canal du Midi is one of Europe’s oldest canals that is still navigable. You could rent a boat to discover the beautiful scenery dotted with plane trees, or go for a guided tour on board a barge to find out about the history and stories surrounding the construction of the Canal du Midi. If you’d rather take a walk or a bike ride, you could really discover the beauty of the area by heading along one of the many routes through the surrounding villages.

The must sees of the Canal du Midi

You could make the most of your holiday on the shores of the Canal du Midi by staying in Toulouse, a great base for visiting the Haute Garonne area. For a holiday rental in the Languedoc area, you’d enjoy yourself in Port Minervois, located near to the famous port town of Homps, surrounded by picturesque villages which you could discover. Closer to the sea, you could have a great holiday in the Hérault area, perhaps staying in Beziers, and admire the fabulous Fonsérannes locks, as well as the Malpas tunnel, near Colombier, which is one of the architectural highlights of the Canal du Midi. Closer to the Mediterranean Ocean, you could stay in the Cap d’Agde area, and discover the Canal du Midi’s only round lock, located in Agde. You could then follow the towpath for a bike ride or walk, or even stop for a while to try some fishing.

Finally, you could choose to spend a week in a holiday rental in Marseillan Plage, the mouth of the Canal du Midi, with the Port of Onglous. In order to find the best price for a holiday rental in the Canal du Midi area, here’s a selection of the best offers available. Over to you to compare and book!