Lodging for the workers was provided for a nominal fee as well. Days off due to rain, bank holidays, Sunday and sickness leaves were all paid. Paul Riquet took good care of his workers and paid both men and women the same salary, unique for the 17th Century. The canal was a masterpiece of both hydraulic and structural engineering, and took 12,000 labourers to build. This is also the continental divide of France rain falling to the east will flow to the Mediterranean, and rain falling to the west will flow to the Atlantic. This is the highest point along the canal at 189 meters above sea level. The water from this reservoir feeds the canal at Seuil de Naurouze, about 10 Km east of Castelnaudary. This lake was the largest man-made lake at the time. Riquet solved this centuries old problem by creating a huge dam and artificial reservoir, the Bassin de St FerrГ©ol in the Black Mountains. The main problem that had to be solved was finding the water to feed the canal. However, most of this money he spend to construct the Canal Du Midi, hoping to gain money from charging tolls upon its completion. Paul Riquet was a tax collector for Louis XIV, and as such build up a considerable fortune for himself as well. Finally, a BГ©ziers native called Pierre-Paul Riquet started looking into the problem during the 1600's. Later, Charlemagne also revisited this idea but abandoned it after carefull studies. The Romans were the first to contemplate a waterway joining the Atlantic to the Mediterranean but were unsuccessfull in finding a way to make this happen. Its main aim was to transport wheat, wine and textiles while avoiding the dangerous waters around Gibraltar. The Canal Du Midi measures 240 Km in length. The entire length of the Canal des Deux Mers (Bordeaux to SГЁte) is 525 Km, and can be cycled with ease. The Canal Du Midi is part of the Canal des Deux Mers (Canal of the two seas) the other part being Canal de Garonne which runs from Toulouse to Bordeaux. The Canal Du Midi is considered an extraordinary 17th century feat of engineering and as such has been an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. The Canal Du Midi runs from the city of Toulouse down to the Mediterranean port of SГЁte. вЂњVГ©lo de trГЁs bonne qualitГ©, accueil trГЁs sympa. 'Kiitos kovasti! PyГ¶rГ¤t ja maisemat aivan loistavia.' 'Super fahrrГ¤der und tolle empfehlungen und tipps fГјr die tour. вЂњExcellent bikes вЂ“ Rolls Royce! And brilliant friendly service.вЂќ вЂњThe bike was great! Great service in pick-up and delivery!вЂќ вЂњWhat a find, great bikes and great staff!вЂќ

'Prima service van Relax Rentals! Van harte aanbevolen voor een fietstrip langs het Canal Du Midi.' 'Our third bike tour in Europe and by far the best equipped, best organized, and friendliest hosts.'ДЄuthor of Dutch cycle guide for Canal Du Midi rented bikes from us to cycle to Bordeaux: 'We would have loved to stay on the bikes for another week or two. Bordeaux to Agde, no trouble with bikes, very reliable - Merci' '750 Km - what a great experience - on a Relax Rentals bike.

Bespoke Self Guided Private Canal Du Midi Bike Tours

Down with the sickness midi