In the 17th Century, the Age of Enlightenment dawned. The Canal du Midi combined the philosophical values of the time, and it is as popular as ever today.
The Canal du Midi, the famous French waterway that meanders through the south west of the country is three centuries old. Winding its way from Toulouse to Étang de Thau, taking in 150 miles and several stretches of stunning countryside, the canal, built between 1666 and 1681 is a feat of engineering beauty and continues today to provide a waterway that links the Mediterranean and the Garonne River.
Of course, the canal was first designed and built for economic reasons. It played a huge role in the shipping trade and was important in transporting both wine and wheat across Europe. The precarious route that led around the Iberian Peninsula was best avoided and so the Canal du Midi was a safe alternative.
Although the canal was undoubtedly a significant player in the world of commerce in Europe, it is primarily remembered today as a magnificent construction and an engineering project that represented the birth of the modern age.