Fonserannes Locks

This last section does indeed pose some technical problems. The first that imposes itself on Pierre-Paul Riquet is the crossing of the Répudre, a small stream of just over thirteen kilometers and a left tributary of the Aude. Riquet then decided to build a canal bridge there, the first work of this kind on the Canal du Midi.

To reach his city of birth, Béziers, you must then cross the rocky ridge of Ensérune at the level of Malpas (etymologically "bad passage"). This is a significant obstacle. Likewise, the drop in the slopes of the Orb is another difficulty in this sector. Against the general opinion, Riquet chose to dig a tunnel to cross the Malpas : a technical feat achieved in 1679. It will be the first navigable tunnel in the world! And the one and only on the Canal du Midi ...

Following the 32-meter mark, the canal finally arrives on the slopes of Fonseranes, opposite Béziers. But last obstacle and not the least, he must now lose nearly 25 meters of vertical drop to descend into the Orb! It is a real technical feat that allows Riquet and his channel to meet this challenge: theFonséranes scale with its eight locks and its nine basins is built.

Even today, watching a boat take it is a constant spectacle!