My stages on the Canal du Midi

Bridge of En Serny

Bridge of En Serny

This charming brick bridge dates from the XNUMXth century. A row of small houses along the towpath enrich the scenery and provide a very photogenic view. But the most surprising sight comes when the reflection of the bridge completes an almost perfect circle. Beautiful optical illusion!

Lock of Negra

6 min ride. by bike, 23 min. on foot, 10 min. on a boat

Lock of Negra

If there is one place that does not lack charm, it isNegra lock à Montesquieu-Lauragais. In the XNUMXth century, the atmosphere was totally different: Négra was a stage of the trip between Toulouse and Agde called the “dinée”. This is where the passengers of the post boat made their first stop for lunch. Only one structure remains original, it is the chapel in which travelers prayed before getting back on the boat to set sail for Languedoc. The trip lasted three days!

You will also see theold stable (today the technical room of the Voies Navigables de France) where the horses rested: the boat was indeed towed by these animals which took turns every 12 km. Some picnic tables are available at this lock. Before leaving, be sure to admire the'aqueduct built by Vauban, in order to bring the Thésauque stream… under the Canal du Midi!

On site

• Boat rental : contact Locaboat
• Picnic tables at the water's edge.

Laval Lock

13 min bike ride, 51 min. on foot, 42 min. on a boat

Laval Lock

This double lock makes it possible to cross one of the most significant drop in height of the Canal du Midi (5,48 meters). It is a timeless place that will seduce you with its calm and tranquility.

Lock of Gardouch

4 min ride. by bike, 29 min. on foot, 14 min. on a boat

Gardouch lock

This lock had the important port of the Agales to export the cereals produced in Lauragais, hence the presence of an old flour mill now converted into a third place on the Riquet Quay.

While strolling on the old towpath you will see many colorful inhabited boats as well as a canal bridge.

On site:

• Bar restaurant in the lock house Estanquet
• Start of the hike Passing by the Agals " (7 km)
• Picnic tables & restrooms
• Third place of the flour mill and its association Channel Coop' which organizes activities of all kinds all year round
• Black bean houseboat : livable barge rental with its crew

Aqueduct of the vaults of Renneville

9 min ride. by bike, 33 min. on foot, 25 min. on a boat

Aqueduct of the vaults of Renneville

THEaqueduct of the vaults which has an unusual story that few people know. In the 1930s, the Hers, which flows under the Canal du Midi, was used as… a municipal swimming pool! There were then two basins. The water of the Hers river was held back with two modest wooden planks and bathers thus enjoyed aquatic pleasures.
The place became more festive in 1935 thanks to the installation of a guinguette along the swimming pools.

You can still admire these vaults which have just had a makeover, ready to defy time!

On site

• Le Surcouf barge : commented boat trips & day cruises with catering on board

Lock of Encassan

16 min ride. by bike, 1 hour. on foot, 35 min. on a boat

Lock of Encassan

This lock is double for a particular reason: during its construction, huge leveling errors were made because of the imprecision of the instruments of the time. When it was filled in 1672, it was realized that the single lock was insufficient, hence the addition of a second basin!

Find out more

Emborrel Lock

4 min bike ride, 19 min. on foot, 15 min. on a boat

Emborrel Lock

This small lock owes its name to the Occitan “borréla”, which was a folk dance.

Port Lauragais

11 min ride. by bike, 38 min. on foot, 25 min. on a boat

Port Lauragais

Port Lauragais is one of the largest ports on the canal du midi. It's also the newest!

This marina offers the opportunity to learn about navigation by taking advantage of various formulas, adapted to their wishes and their budgets. To rent your boats, Nav-channel et Nicols have habitable barges without a license for cruises over several days, such as small electric boats for a short 1 hour trip.

Do you want cultural discoveries? The port also has 3 exhibition venues:

• Gallery #ART61 offers unique temporary exhibitions of artists and craftsmen from Lauragais.
• The Lauragais Discovery Area offers an interactive discovery trail to discover the history of Lauragais, its traditions and its heritage.
• Outdoors, an exhibition dedicated to Claude Nougaro retraces the life of the emblematic singer of Toulouse

Naurouze threshold

10 min ride. by bike, 30 min. on foot, 20 min. on a boat

Naurouze threshold

Located on the highest point of the Canal du Midi, at an altitude of 194m, the Seuil de Naurouze is the cornerstone of the canal's supply system. In this place, the gully of the plain, which runs for 38km from the Saint-Ferréol lake, at the sources of the Canal du Midi, feeds the Canal du Midi. The waters then flow towards either Toulouse or the Mediterranean Sea: this is the " water sharing"

Enjoy a walk in the shade of the bicentenary plane trees and observe theobelisk erected in honor of Pierre Paul Riquet, founder of the Canal du Midi, by his descendants.