The Canal du Midi is one of the greatest feats of engineering of the 17th century and Pierre Paul Riquet was its chief architect under the instructions of Louis XIV.
The King had instructed his minister Colbert to find a new sea route for the royal galleys and to create a port for shipping Languedoc's products. Colbert entrusted this task to the Knight of Clerville who identified the cap of Sète as the most suitable site for the creating a port. The town now houses many art museums and hosts a variety of festivals, the most notorious being the canal jousting festival during the summer months.
Watch the jousting
3 Related Holidays
Canal du Midi Prestige
Ancient cities and idyllic waterways
From the extraordinary fortified town of Carcassone to the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean, travel down tree lined towpaths, over beautiful stone bridges and through some of the prettiest scenery in southwest France, ending each day in...
Canal du Midi Cruise
Enjoy your own gastronomic odyssey
Embark on a journey along sections of the Canal du Midi aboard the enchanting hotel barge, Anjodi, famous for taking Rick Stein on his 400 mile French food exploration in the TV series Rick Stein's French Odyssey. As well as indulging in the fabulous...
Canal du Midi to Coast
Ancient cities and idyllic waterways
Explore enchanting Carcassonne before some gentle cycling along the Canal du Midi; a picturesque, tranquil and richly cultural route. You’ll encounter timeless villages and sun-baked olive groves on your way to the sandy beaches of the...
