History. Pierre Paul RIQUET did it! A FEW DATES... 1 ST october 1680 Death of Riquet in Toulouse

Transcription

1

2 Bonrepos, 15th November, 1662 I am writing to you from Perpignan... about my plans for a canal which could be built in this province of Languedoc to connect the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean sea... Thus, with this letter to Colbert, minister of Louis XIV, began the epic adventure of Paul Riquet and his canal. Linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean sea would be a means of avoiding the pirates of the Gibraltar Strait on one hand, and to shorten the long transport route of goods on the other... the Romans had thought about it..., Charlemagne envisaged it..., François 1st, Henri II and Henri IV would have liked to carry it out... Pierre Paul RIQUET did it! History A FEW DATES Laying of the first stone 1 ST october 1680 Death of Riquet in Toulouse 24 th may 1681 Official inauguration of the Royal Languedoc Canal which became the Canal du Midi during the Revolution. October 1996 Classification of the Ecluses (Locks) de Fonseranes as Historic Monuments Décember 1996 Classification of the Canal du Midi to the title World Heritage Site April 1997 Classification of the Canal du Midi by the French government as a Protected Site.

3 The work of a passionate man Pierre-Paul Riquet, Baron of Bonrepos, was born in Béziers in His office of Receiver General of the Salt Tax of Languedoc allowed him to amass a considerable fortune, which he would totally invest in the realisation of his dream. At an age when most men aspire to a calm life, Riquet, fired by a devouring passion and a rare obstinancy, started a career as a civil engineering contractor and, at the age of sixty, launched himself into the biggest adventure of his life. In 1666, Colbert granted him the title of Master of Works of the Royal Languedoc Canal. In the face of scepticism and incredulity, Riquet a self-taught engineer put his energy, talent, and fortune at the service of a technical, landscaped, and architectural master-work. taming the water Riquet took the water of the Black Mountain, built the Saint Ferréol dam to stock it and then take it to the meeting point of the waters, the threshold of Naurouze. From there, they could flow towards the Atlantic or the Mediterranean coasts. The major problem of the canal, supplying it with water - that nobody until then had been able to solve - Riquet overcame. a monumental challenge Riquet leaves us an unmatched monument : 15 years of work, up to 12,000 workers - including 600 women, dug with pick and shovel a pathway of water 24 kilometers long between Toulouse and Sète, along the way planting 45,000 trees, and erecting 328 works of art, of which some were original for that era. On the 1st October 1680, six months before the end of the work, Riquet, ill, exhausted, and ruined, died without seeing his life s work finished. With the inauguration of the canal he entered into legend. The digging of Canal of the Rhône to Sète in 1829 and that of the Lateral Canal to the Garonne in 1856 definitively linked the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.

4 Engineeriing Structures The Locks of Fonseranes Italians constructed the first locks in the sixteenth century. The technique, introduced to France by Léonardo da Vinci, allowed boats to pass thresholds and different levels and for canals to be built to link different water basins. Considered at the time as a remarkable technical feat, the Fonseranes Locks permit boats to pass a difference in level of 21.5 metres over a distance of 312 metres. Originally, this water stairway, with its eight basins and nine gates or the nine locks raised barges to the level of the River Orb, which they passed across to rejoin the canal on the other bank. In the nineteenth century, the lowest lock was closed off and the second modified to connect with the Canal Bridge; this explains why there are only six basins and seven gates operational today, and hence the name the seven locks. PLA N OF TH EW O R KI NG OF A LOCK

5 The Water Slope It is a French invention, developed in the 1960s, by professor Jean AUBERT and engineer René BOUCHET, using a canal, a mobile block, and a gate. Its principle is simple: the motor shield closes off a corner of water and the boat. It moves along the inclined canal until the levels matches with one of the terminal reaches. At the upstream limit, the gate is lowered to allow the boat to pass to the higher reach. At the downstream limit, the front is lifted to allow the boat to pass to the lower reach by passing underneath. Propulsion energy is provided by electric motors, supplied by gutter rails. PLAN OF THE WORKING OF A LOCK The Canal Bridge The Orb has always been a temperamental river. At times of flooding, its crossing by flat-boat was perilous. It was therefore decided, in 1857, to build a bridge that would permit the canal to cross the river. The technical difficulty of such an undertaking held back the work. The canal was diverted from its initial course at the Fonseranes Locks, two haulage pathway were laid out, a very deep lock was put in place after the bridge to regain the initial level of the canal, and a new port was constructed (the existing Port Neuf) In 1858, the Canal Bridge was put into service, permitting the crossing of the Orb in all seasons and weathers. It was the final classic work in the spirit of Riquet. The Pente d Eau of Fonseranes (with a difference in level of 13.5m) was put into service in 1983, thus rendering possible the passage of boats of more than 38 metres that could not use the original locks. Its measurements: 12 metres high, 28 metres wide, 240 metres long, and 7 arches.

6 Places and things to discover The Pont-Canal (aqueduct) of Répudre The first canal-bridge in France (and the second in the world), and the only one built by Riquet. It is a massive work, 135 metres long, of bonded, cut stone, with a single arch. Le Somail A hamlet created by Riquet around the Couchée (a shelter where post barges stopped for the night). The bridge, next to the chapel, is built of three different kinds of stone. Pont-Canal (Canal-Bridge) of the Cesse and the épanchoir des Patiasses Works built to cross the Cesse Valley, carried out in several stages. The Malpas Tunnel The tunnel cuts through the hill of the Oppidum of Ensérune (the first tunnel in the world traversed by a navigational canal.) It was dug out of a sandy tuff, 173 metres long, and supported by 30 masonry arches linked by a continuous arched roof. It was conceived by Riquet with the help of a local builder.

7 Les ecluses de fonseranes Conceived by Riquet himself, it was originally a stairway of eight successive locks, taking boats to the level of the Orb, which they then crossed to rejoin the canal on the other bank. It was later transformed to link up with the Pont-Canal. The Orb Pont-Canal A bridge 240 metres long, by which the canal crosses the River Orb, thus allowing boats to avoid the river and its floods. Les ouvrages du Libron A mobile passage, conceived to overcome the violent flooding of the little river by a complex system of sluice gates and tanks. Bassin Rond d Agde It is the only round lock in the world, and regulates three waterways. It was later enlarged to allow the passage of bigger barges. La pointe des Onglous It is the spot where the canal drains into the Thau lagoon. «LES ECLUSES EN FÊTE» Two days of animations for the great and the small. Discoveries, boat trips, concerts, market of local products, theatre, sound and light show on the locks... (june 13th and 14th 2009)

8 OLONZAC Eleventh century village Remains of the ramparts Ruins of the Protohistoric Oppidum of Mourrel Ferrat Archaeological Museum of Minervois Jouarres Lake Minerve Major site of the Cathar civilisation, built on a rocky spur between the gorges of Cesse and Brian Castle ruins Church of Saint Etienne(XII) Museums Argens Minervois Cathar castle, modified in the sixteenth century Ginestas Eglise gothique St Luc Bize-Minervois Oil mill (the only oil cooperative in the département (county) of Aude) Tourist train to Narbonne Cruzy Ninth century Church of Sainte Eulalie de Mérida, Museum Arche Quarante Tenth century Church of Sainte Marie, Thirteenth century windmill, Eolienne de Bolée minerve Along the Canal du Midi Puisserguier Circular village Medieval alleys and porches Twelfth and thirteenth century Castle Priory, Prieuré de Saint Christophe (twelfth century nave) La Gourge de Fichous Capestang Twelfth century castle, ancient residence of the archbishops of Narbonne Collégiale de St Etienne, fourteenth century Collegiate Church of Saint Etienne Poilhes Archaelogical Museum Marsh of Montady, dried in the thirteenth century Church of Saint Saturnin, thirteenth-sixteenth centuries, Chapel of Saint Christol, eighteenth century Belfry Colombiers Church of Saint Sylvestre, eleventh-twelfth centuries Immense wine cave with magnificent wooden roof framework (nineteenth century) Vendres/ Vendres-Plage Roman Aqueduct Remains of the Temple of Venus, Sixteenth century Church, Archaelogical Museum, Marsh of Vendres: protected site Valras-Plage Protected line of Dunes and four kilometres of fine sand beach Sérignan/ Sérignan-plage Collégiale de Notre Dame des Grâces, Collegiate Church of Notre Dame des Grâces, twelfthfifteenth centuries, Mupuisserg Nissan-lezseum of harnessing and horses Enserune cruzy Les Orpellières (protecoppidum of Ensérune, ted dunes and beach) holding the National quarante bize minervois argeliers Numerous Roman remains The Sully Elm, planted in 1608 ginestas olonzac homps paraza argens minervois roubia ventenac minervois la croisade

9 Béziers Birthplace of Paul Riquet Cathedral of Saint Nazaire (twelfth and fifteenth centuries) Cloister (fifteenth century) Bishops Garden (eighteenth century) Basilica of Saint Aphrodise (twelfth and fourteenth centuries) Church of Saint Jacques (twelfth century) Church of the Madeleine (eleventh and fourteenth centuries) Chapel of the Blue Penitents (fourteenth and fifteenth centuries) Roman Arena (first century AD) New Arena (1897) Statue of Pépezuc (Roman era) Market Halls (nineteenth century) Town Hall (eighteenth century) Private town mansions Theatre (1844) Statue of Paul Riquet (1838) Plateau des poètes (1870) Pont Vieux (twelfth century) Museums guier Villeneuvecapestang colombiers béziers lès-béziers Church of Saint Etienne (tenth century) Tower of the Castle of the Baron de Villeneuve Town Hall, eighteenth century Portiragnes/ Portiragnes-Plage Typical old village of the Béziers region The Church of Saint Félix (fourteenth century) Roque Haute Nature Reserve Nissan lez enserune MARSEILLAN Ancient Phocaean city founded in 535 AD Basalt quays and houses Church of Saint Jean Baptiste, seventeenth century Halles couverte, Covered market, seventeenth century Vias/Vias-Plage Ancient Medieval fortified village, from Gallo-Roman times The church of St John the Baptist, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries 5 km of protected beaches Agde Ancient Greek trading post built with the lava (basalt) of an extinct volcano, with a 2000-year old town centre Cathedral of Saint Etienne, twelfth century seventeenth century Chapel of Notre Dame du Grau, Greek ramparts Old town hall and private mansions Mont Saint Loup villeneuve lez béziers vendres poilhes Agathois Museum Bagnas Nature Reserve Ephèbe Museum (underwater archaeology at Cap d Agde cers portiragnes sérignan valras-plage Vias mediterranean Things to discover THE Pont-canal (aqueduct) OF Répudre Le Somail Pont-canal OF THE Cesse AND THE épanchoir des Patiasses The Malpas Tunnel locks of fonseranes Pente d eau Pont-Canal Les ouvrages du Libron Bassin Rond d Agde La pointe des Onglous agde THAU Marseillan lagoon

10 Animal and plant life The Canal du Midi passes through a varied landscape composed of vines, and fields of maize, sunflower, and wheat... More than 45,000 trees have been planted all along the route of the canal. As well as contributing to the scenery, they also serve the indispensable function of strengthening the canal banks with their roots. They also provided wood for the construction of different works and were a source of fuel for the lock houses. The dominant tree remains the plane tree, but there are also a large number of cypress, and a large variety of native trees, such as umbrella pine and chestnut. Iris and daffodil flowers brighten with the colours of yellow, white, and violet this long green serpentine. In this natural setting, a real route of silence so perfectly united to the landscape that it appears to be a work of nature, do not be surprised either to come across coypus and other ducks and birds attracted by the water and greenery, or to hear the clacking of cicadas which bring to the scene an incomparable and unique Mediterranean flavour. The Canal du Midi has long been an economic asset for the South of France, serving as a means of t r a n s p o r t. Nowadays, this activity has practically d i s a p p e a r e d, leaving its place to a new industry: river tourism. Numerous boat hire and cruise firms offer their services to the many tourists eager to discover the waterway in a unique manner. The 10,000 passages per year at the Fonseranes Locks show the extent of this unprecedented river tourism. The haulage paths on the banks attract horse riders, cyclists, or walkers all year round. The other major activity of the canal is the irrigation of crops (40,000 hectares of agricultural land). The Canal Today

11 The Offices of Tourism, Information Centres and other points of information along the canal BEZIERS CAPESTANG COLOMBIERS GINESTAS HOMPS THE Canal du Midi BY BOAT Cruising the canal LES BATEAUX DU SOLEIL 6 rue Chassefières AGDE Tél /Fax Béziers :Tél CROISIÈRES DU MIDI 35, rue des Tonneliers HOMPS Tél contact@croisieres-du-midi.com Croisières et locations (location à la journée) MINERVOIS CRUISERS LE SOMAIL (11) Tél SARL CANAL 17 bld Jean Jaurés Puisserguier Tél /Fax PENICHE CARABOSSE Association Péniche Carabosse 15 Rue André Le Nôtre BEZIERS Tel/ Fax : peniche.carabosse@aliceadsl.fr Site : boat rental CROWN BLUE LINE Port Cassafières PORTIRAGNES Tél /Fax MARSEILLAN-PLAGE MINERVE NISSAN OLONZAC PORTIRAGNES PUISSERGUIER SERIGNAN SIRAN VALRAS-PLAGE VENDRES NAUTIC EURL EVEQUE Chemin de la Pageze BP AGDE CEDEX Tél /Fax LOCABOAT PLAISANCE (pénichettes) Capitainerie de Port Ariane Rue de la Capitainerie LATTES Tél /Fax CAMARGUE PLAISANCE Chemin Dal CARNON Tél /Fax RIVE DE FRANCE Port de Plaisance COLOMBIERS Tél /Fax AD NAVIS 80 Grand rue SERVIAN Tél /Fax CROISIÈRES DU MIDI 35, rue des Tonneliers HOMPS Tél contact@croisieres-du-midi.com Croisières et locations (location à la journée) NICOLS (vedettes fluviales) Allée de la Glacière (11) Le Somail Tél VIAS-PLAGE CONNOISSEUR Port Minervois Homps Tél HAPIMAG Port de Capestang CAPESTANG Tél CA MI NAV Base Fluviale CD CARNON Tél : REVE D UN ROI VENDRES Tél : boat-hotel AD NAVIS 80 Grand rue SERVIAN Tél /Fax camping-cruise Péniche béatrice Port Cassafières Portiragnes Tél /Fax Soleil d Oc Imp du Calvaire11590 Sallèle d Aude Tél For any technical explanation about how the Canal du Midi works and about the locks-crossing schedules, please contact : Voies Navigables de France (VNF) Pont Rouge BEZIERS - Tél

12 OFFICE DE TOURISME ET DES CONGRÈS 29, avenue Saint Saëns BÉZIERS Tél. : +33 (0) Fax : +33 (0) tourisme@ville-beziers.fr - January & December : Monday to saturday 9-12 am, 2-5 pm - February, March, April, May, October, November : Monday to saturday 9-12 a.m, 2-6 p.m - June & September : Monday to Saturday 9 am pm and 1.30 pm - 6. pm - July & August : 9 am pm Open on sunday & bank holidays : 10-1 p.m & 3-6 p.m Réalisation 2009 : Médias d Oc * BÉZIERS / Crédit photos : C. Romeu, R. Estournet, P. Hueber, J. Orlandini, G. Riciotti (Photo Caméra Club) et Ch. Féménias (Service Communication Ville de Béziers)