CANAL DU MIDI
Read moreDesigned by Pierre-Paul Riquet (1609-1680) and motivated by the wheat trade, Canal du Midi was shaped by the hand of man. It began the era of the Industrial Revolution by allowing to rally, by its 240 kilometers, the Atlantic Ocean, via the Garonne, to the Mediterranean Sea. Its journey begins in Toulouse and ends in Marseillan - the other part connecting the Atlantic begins in Toulouse and ends in Castets-en-Dorthe (Canal de Garonne). It was made between 1667 and 1694 and two thousand workers were hired from January 1667. This number rose to twelve thousand, including six hundred women, to alleviate the shortage of men. The work was carried out in three major projects: the first from Toulouse to Trèbes (east of Carcassonne) which includes the basins and water supply systems, the second towards the south of Trèbes to the pond of Thau, and the third that was the construction of the harbour of Sète. To address the problem of leveling throughout the course, more than 60 locks had to be built, Riquet was perfectly conscious of helping to forge a symbol of the power of the 17th-century France, while giving the country a functional communication channel. He thus particularly made sure that the quality of the canal's architecture is worthy of this function. The bridges, the locks and the structures associated with them, as well as the tunnel entrances were designed and drawn with a great sense of aesthetic combined with technical constraints, the whole includes no less than 328 works of art and 63 locks. He was also extremely conscious of the impact of his work on the landscape and took great care to ensure that it was properly bordered by trees and by vegetation in harmony with the landscapes crossed. Since 1996, this performance has rightly been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Having the width of 10 to 20 meters and deep of about 2 meters, the canal passes to its highest point at the threshold of Naurouze, at the border of the department of Aude and Haute Garonne in the Lauragais. Its history with Carcassonne was quite complex since, at the completion of the first route, the canal was 2 kilometers from the city. A link between the city and the canal was suggested in 1686 by Vauban but it was only a century later, in 1787, that the construction of a new route was ordered and was completed in 1810 and that wouldl definitely set the canal in its current configuration.
L'ÉTANG DE BAGES
A village with four islands accessible by catamaran, kayak or rowing boat, ...Read more
VILLAGE DES PECHEURS DE L'AYROLLE
A fishermen's village where you can buy fresh fish during your morning ...Read more
DÉFILÉ DE LA PIERRE-LYS
Natural site with impressive gorges, classified in 1948 in Quillan.Read more
CANAL DE LA ROBINE
The Canal de la Robine is a Unesco World Heritage Site, with one of the few ...Read more
THE ARBORETUM PLANEL
This park has many rare tree species from all over the world, such as the ...Read more
THE GREEN MAZE
The green labyrinth of Nebias, a place for a magical walk that contains ...Read more
SAINT LUCIA REGIONAL NATURE RESERVE
The reserve is home to superb landscapes, and the trails are ideal for ...Read more
CARRIÈRE DE MARBRE ROUGE
Caunes-Minervois is the red marble capital of the world, designed to be the ...Read more
CASCADE DE CUBSERVIÈS
Cubserviès waterfall, 90 m high, a must-see in Mas-Cabardès, a steep ...Read more
SEUIL DE NAUROUZE - LIGNE DE PARTAGE DES EAUX
The Naurouze weir, 12 km west of Castelnaudary on the D611, is an ...Read more
ÉTANG DE PISSEVACHES
Read moreThe pond of Pissevaches is located at the mouth of the Aude. It communicates with the sea through a grau which opens and closes according to the sea's movements. It is thus fed by the alternation of salt water and fresh water causing a soil rich in sediment. Landscape diversity also since it is practically dry in summer. This site is a lagoon complex including a zone of sansouire, a heath of salicornes, that the presence of nearly 200 species of birds has transformed into one of the best ornithological sites of the department.
SAINT ANDRÉ LA TUILERIE
This area is ideal for young and old alike, for a day out in the great ...Read more
ASSOCIATION " LE LAC MARIN "
Read moreOn the Ile aux Loisirs site, this key Leucate facility, which has just celebrated its 25th anniversary, offers a space dedicated to exploring and discovering the Etang de Salses-Leucate. Dominique and his team welcome school groups, the curious and CEs who come to take part in organized tours and workshops: discovering the ecosystem, fishing, building... You're in Leucate's most eco-friendly spot, and certainly one of the most beautiful on the lake, where this association has succeeded in combining environmental awareness with nautical activities. Numerous educational projects are carried out with schools, including the famous pedal-boat treasure hunt in the lagoon, and a litter hunt to show the negative impact of litter on the lagoon. Kids love it! The highlight of this site, set on a small beach on the edge of the lagoon, is a visit to a barraca, the traditional fishermen's house made of sanils (reeds) and created from scratch by Dominique. For fun and sport, there's nothing like discovering this protected area by canoe, paddle, pedalo, aqua stepper or boat without a license. Unforgettable rides with the Canigou as a backdrop! Last but not least, the icing on the cake is the waterside guinguette: an oasis of serenity in the style of a straw hut, with alcoves and delicious cocktails and tapas to savour as the sun sets. Few places have moved us so!
PARCOURS LUDIQUE EN FAMILLE
A fun-filled family stroll along a route designed by Armissan town council, ...Read more
SUR LES TRACES DU RAINART D'ARMISSAN
The route leads through vineyards and forest, near several sites that make ...Read more
LE GRAND BASSIN
An idyllic site in Castelnaudary for walking, cycling, jogging, sunbathing ...Read more