10QI

10QI 1

• What is the Canal Du Midi

The Canal Du Midi is a man made 240 km long stretch of waterway which connects the Mediterranean Sea at Sete to Toulouse where it joins the river Garonne which was made fully navigable taking shipping to the Atlantic ocean at Bordeaux

• When was it constructed

1666 to 1680 with the initial agreement  and sponsorship of Louis XIV.

• Why was it constructed

To improve transportation and trade links between the Mediterranean and England, Holland and Scandinavia.

• Who was the brainchild of the project?

Pierre-Paul Riquet 1604 (1609?) – 1680.

• How?

10,000 (or 12,000 ouvriers et ouvrieres) men and women were employed to dig out and construct the canal.  Remember this is 1666 with no JCB or similar equipment so the 14 years it took to construct is remarkable.

10QI 2

International Trade Routes

              Trade routes between the east – China and the west have existed for millennia.   The Silk Route is a prime example, running from – China via ???? Istanbul – then known as ? to ?

              In more local terms, to move produce across France was difficult with roads being little more than mud tracks.   Therefore, to move large quantities, shipping was used.   Shipping produce from the south

10QI 3

Locks 63 ècluses

10QI 4   

Trees cypresses and Plane planted to provide shade and prevent evaporation.   Millions of irises to protect the bank and add colour.

10QI 5

Bridges and aquaducts  130 ponts

10QI 6

Boating.    If you start at Capestang it takes 8 hours 50 to cover the 52 km to Sète passing through 16 ècluses.    Travelling in the opposite direction, it takes 12 hours 55 to cover the 82 km to Carcassonne passing through 26 ècluses

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10QI 7

Water supply and reservoirs

10QI 8   

Canalised Rivers

10QI 9   

Vaulting the first navigation tunnel in the world

10QI 10

Pierre-Paul Riquet