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- Fonserannes Locks (Béziers) — A dramatic multi-lock staircase that’s part engineering spectacle, part photo stage set; watching a barge drop or rise through the steps gives you a real feel for 17th-century canal ingenuity.
- Agde Round Lock (Écluse Ronde) — A rare circular lock where the canal meets the Hérault river; its unusual shape and stonework make it one of the most photogenic and technically curious spots on the route.
- Malpas Tunnel — One of the earliest navigable canal tunnels in Europe, bored through rock in Riquet’s time; it’s a compact slice of bold engineering that marks how ambitious the whole project was.
- Seuil de Naurouze and Riquet’s Tomb — The canal’s highest watershed point and the symbolic heart of the design; the little park and Riquet’s tomb give context to the whole
- Fonserannes Locks (Béziers) — A dramatic multi-lock staircase that’s part engineering spectacle, part photo stage set; watching a barge drop or rise through the steps gives you a real feel for 17th-century canal ingenuity.
- Agde Round Lock (Écluse Ronde) — A rare circular lock where the canal meets the Hérault river; its unusual shape and stonework make it one of the most photogenic and technically curious spots on the route.
- Malpas Tunnel — One of the earliest navigable canal tunnels in Europe, bored through rock in Riquet’s time; it’s a compact slice of bold engineering that marks how ambitious the whole project was.
- Seuil de Naurouze and Riquet’s Tomb — The canal’s highest watershed point and the symbolic heart of the design; the little park and Riquet’s tomb give context to the whole enterprise and a nice viewpoint for the split of waters.
- Plane-tree-lined towpaths — Those double rows of plane trees are the Canal du Midi’s signature: shady, slow-paced routes perfect for cycling or walking, and they create that postcard-perfect green corridor.
- Stone aqueducts and old bridges — Small stone aqueducts and graceful arched bridges punctuate the route; each is a mix of functional craft and rural French charm, great for short detours or sunsets.
- Locks, lock-keeper houses and village life — The working locks and their little habitations are living heritage: watch manual operations, stop at a riverside café, and you’ll see how the canal still shapes local rhythms.
- Hire a péniche or bike the towpath — Nothing beats doing the canal at human speed: rent a day boat or bike and you’ll experience the architecture, landscape and village stops in the most relaxed, authentic way.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Carcassonne During World War 2
Private guided tour of the city of Carcassonne
Cité de Carcassonne Guided Walking tour. Private tour.
Carcassonne 's Medieval Walls: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
Languedoc Vineyard Tour
Tasting Gourmet
Private Tour with a Knight
Unusual guided tour of Carcassonne at the time of the Builders
Carcassonne Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.