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Historical site · Carcassonne, Occitânia
Port de Carcassonne (Canal du Midi)
Stretch of the Canal du Midi beside the station, with a lock and a port from which boat trips depart, between the Gare and the Bastide Saint-Louis.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Port de Carcassonne (Canal du Midi)
The Canal du Midi runs through the northern part of Carcassonne's lower town, between the train station and the Jardin André-Chénier. If you arrive by train you cross the canal as you leave the station.
The canal was opened in the 17th century by Pierre-Paul Riquet to link Toulouse with the Mediterranean and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Along its course there are 63 locks, canal bridges and aqueducts.
In Carcassonne there is one of the locks next to the port, where you can see the chamber filling and emptying as barges pass. Boat tours with commentary depart from the port, and there are also boats for rent for multi-day trips.
The bank has a path for walkers and cyclists and offers a calm stroll away from the bustle of the Cité.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the boat trip.
Best time
Boat cruises mainly run from spring to autumn; check the season. Late afternoon is a good time for a walk along the bank.
How to get there
It is in front of the Gare de Carcassonne, about a 10-minute walk from Place Carnot.
Tip
If you have time between trains, cross the station road and watch the lock in operation.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Port de Carcassonne (Canal du Midi)
Can you take a boat trip on the Canal du Midi in Carcassonne?
Yes, boat trips with commentary depart from the port next to the station, mainly from spring to autumn. Check the season.
Is the canal far from the Cité?
It is on the other side of town, by the station, about 2 km from the Cité.
Why is the Canal du Midi a World Heritage Site?
It is a 17th-century engineering work, with locks, canal bridges and aqueducts, that links Toulouse to the Mediterranean.