Description:

Canal du Midi museum, Saint Ferreol, Haute-Garonne.

The Canal du Midi is massive feat of engineering excellence, linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

The idea of linking creating the canal had been around for a number of centuries, but the problem of supplying the canal with water could not be overcome.  Pierre-Paul Riquet struck on the theory of collecting the waters from the various streams of the Montagne Noire (Black Mountains) in a series of reservoirs.

Work began on 1^st January 1667, following four difficult years of negotiation with Louis XIV and was completed in 1681 a year after Riquets death.

The Museum is located at the heart of the Montagne Noir on the borders of three departments (Haute-Garonne, Tarn and Herault) on the dam at Saint Ferreol, which was the largest dam in Europe for many centuries.

The Museum provides a fascinating insight into the construction and maintenance of the canal.  Exhibits in the gardens display the principles behind supplying the canal with water and also makes a pleasant place for a stroll.  Group reservations can gain access inside the dam and get an up close look at the mechanics behind the canals water supply system.

There are six exhibition rooms in the Museum:

• Room 1: Sources of the Canal du Midi
• Room 2: The Canal in five stages
• Room 3: The fourteen years of work
• Room 4: From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean
• Room 5: The daily life of the Canal du Midi
• Room 6: Temporary Exhibition Room

The reservoir of Saint Ferreol is now a major tourist attraction, providing watersports and recreation facilities.

Opening times:

Open every day except Monday *: 

November-March: 1400 - 1700

April-May-June-September-October: 1030-1230 & 1430-1800

During July - August, open daily, 1000 - 1900

Annual closing on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
* Open Monday by appointment for groups

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