Walk: The Grand Bassin of the Canal du Midi

Duration: 1h30 Distance: 6 km Uneven: 39 m Signpost: yellow, white-red

Castelnaudary (Aude)

Castelnaudary, capital of the Lauragais, its plains dotted with windmills, is famous for its ‘cassoulet’. A hearty dish made from haricot beans, garlic sausage, duck confit and pork hock.

 Leave the station and head for the Grand Bassin (large basin), a major stopping place on the Canal du Midi, which was built in just 15 years from 1666 by Pierre-Paul Riquet, to connect the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The largest area of open water in the canal, the basin covers an area of 18 acres. Once a scene of intense economic activity, it is now a major pleasure port used by tourist craft. But, it still holds a water reserve for the four locks of Saint-Roche, which permit vessels to pass with a depth of up to 10m.

After leaving the Canal, you can discover the town, with its old brick-built houses squeezed around the Présidial (now a museum) and the Collégial – the church of Saint-Michel.

See on the way :

• The view-point of Cugarel
• The historic centre of Castelnaudary and the Collegiale St-Michel

Find this route in the Topo-Guide FFRandonnée “Aude Cathar Country… on foot” (PR® n°27)

Order the free randofiche "The Grand Bassin of the Canal du Midi" at the Castelnaudary Tourist Office
Tel: +33 (0)4 68 23 05 73 www.castelnaudary-tourisme.com

Information on the department of the Aude : Departmental Tourism Committee Tel: +33 (0)4 68 11 66 00 www.audetourisme.com