Castelnaudary

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Castelnaudary is the highest point on the Canal du Midi – remember, a canal does not flow like a river as the course does not slope. To move canal traffic up or down, a system of locks must be used. Every canal has a highest point, and it’s at this point where all water lost through “locking down” must be replaced.

Castelnaudary has a massive basin that receives run-off water from surround hills, town storm water and the like. It’s a wonderful town and we spent our anniversary here, eating pizza on our penichette and drinking red wine. It was great. An otter even swam past.

The image above is the bridge that crosses the canal just where the “Grand Bassin” opens up into the reservoir for the entire Canal du Midi. We fed swans here and would love to return some day…

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