The Canal Du Midi

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CANAL DU ]VIIDI ln October 1666 Louis 14th signed the edict authorising the construction of a canal designed to join the Atlantic to the Mediterranean (le canal des deux mers). Such an operation had been considered a couple of times previously, in 1539 and 1598, by reason of transporting merchandise via the long and frequently hazardous sea route (weather and Barbary pirates) from southern France around the lberian peninsula to Bordeaux.

So who was chosen to carry out this amazing feat of civil engineering? obviously a respected engineer. But flo, Pierre-Paul Riquet, a tax collector. The farmer of the Gabelle or salt tax in Languedoc. He was appointed collector in 1630 and was also a munitions provider to the Catalonian Army. Riquet became extremely wealthy and on being given permission by the King to levy his own taxes became even more wealthy. This in turn allowed him to execute grand projects with great technical expertise. He was created Baron de [\llonrepos in 1662 and died in 1681, just 9 months prior to the completion of the first section from Sete to Toulouse, known as the canal royal de Languedod'.

Following the Revolution the canal was nationalised and renamed Ie canal du Midiin 1793. ln 1810 Napoleon 1 created la compagnie du canal du Midi and then sold off the state held shares to his family and friends.

It was only in 1856 that the dream became reality, the Atlantic and the t\llediterranean were joined with the completion of the canal lateral it la Garonne from Toulouse to Castets-en-Dorthe at the head of the navigable stretch of the river Garonne. The Cie Central du Haute de la Garonne operating small steamships linking Castets to Bordeaux, with a variety of larger vessels serving the communities between Bordeaux and St.Nazaire.

The Compagnie des chemins de fer du Midi et du Canal latdral i la Garonne (also known as Compagnie des Che mins de fer du Midior just Midl'twas granted a 4A year concession to operate the canal from 1858 Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society LU CANAT DNS DEUX MERS

Marmande

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Montauban Fontq d'paa de ldpnarh

Canaldu Midi

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Pastc d'em de Saull rla llonraun Port- Hom

Canal de Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Societyla Robine r

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Fierre-Paul Riquet haron de Bonrepcs, n6 le 29 juin 16CI9 a Bdziers dans la provtnce de l-anguedac et mort [e 1s octobre 1680 e Toulouse, est un banquieq fermier gdn€ral et entrepreneur frangais qui a congu et r"€alis€ le canal du Midi dans le sud de la France entre Ia Garonne et la rner M6ditenran€e

THE CANAL DU MIDI

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Letter re legal matters, dated December 14th 1766 from NARBONNE to Monsieur Ptns the Controller General of the Canal at the house of M. Clauzade, Director of the Canal at BEZIERS. Taxed at 4 so/s the rate for a single rate letter travelling up to and including 20 lieues - tariff of 1759.

THE CANAL DU MIDI

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The section from Toulouse to Sdte

From 1667 known as

Le Canal royal de Languedoc

and from 1789

THE CANAL DU MIDI

MONTPELLIER

Lenain 8 Recorded use 1763 - 1772

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Letter dated January 1"t 1765 from M. Laborie Pailhez (Baron de Laborie, French governor of I'lslet a Caret (later Saint Lucia) from 1784 -1789) in MONTPELLIER To A/lonsieur Pin Controlleur general of the canal in TOULOUSE, re the concerns of the Prior of St. Jacques and other residents of properties bordering the canal about damage to their properties due to neglect of a section of the canal banks. Taxed at 6sols for a single sheet letter travelling 2O4O lieues. Tariff of 1759 Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society LE CANAL DES DEUX MERS

The section from Toulouse to Sdte

From 1667 known as

Le Canal royal de Languedoc

and from 1789

THE CANAL DU MIDI

*AGDEF Lenain 8 Recorded use 1777 - 1791

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Letter dated August 10th 1783 from lr/1. Audreary deputy director of the Canal at AGDE to lr/1. Prn managing director in TOULOUSE appraising him of the forthcoming arrival of a marine engineer to inspect the canal which was closed to trafficfor repairs. Also with mention of le comte de Caraman (Victor lVlaurice de Riquet (b. 1727 d.1807 sometime Chief lnspector of the Royal French and Overseas Cavalry). Taxed at 6 so/s single rate for 2A - 4A /ieues. Tariff of 1759. Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society LE CANAL DES DEUX MERS

The section from Toulouse to SEte.

From 1667 known as

Le Canal royal de Languedoc

and from 1789

THE GANAL DU MIDI

Business correspondence, consignment notes etc, entrusted to the bargee along with the freight.

ptron Galinier

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Notification dated May 19th 1786 of a consignment of Bayonne ham entrusted to the bargee patron Galinier at TOULOUSE for delivery to AGDE, carriage charges having been pre-paid.

P'It M oy't'/c'r'r^' ! & la garde de Dieu & conduite d , f*/ir.-o'e*-4<

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comm e e!-contr€ regu q*'ayez le tout I fir ns rdtarde- rmarqud 1 I ---rin*- rneht r bien & dffement e*ndidonmd, {bns ma;:que ni Voiture fcrL yous I payerez Po ut /**-Pcrc & 3 c..

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I Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society LE CANAL DES DEUX MERS

The section from Toulouse to Sdte

THE CANAL DU MIDI

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Business correspondence, consignment notes etc. entrusted to the bargee along with the freight.

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Handwritten consignment note dated August 5s 1791 from TOULOUSE, noting the costs of transport by the barge of Andre Cauny for specified goods to be delivered to AGDE and then fonrarded to Marseille.

The section from Toulouse to Sdte €nfir** d;{***+W *.'ft r,firtafur o**

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The section from Toulouse to Site

THE CANAL DU MIDI

The tariff of January lst 1792. Distances in lieues, as the crow flies, from a central point in a d6paftementto a central point in another dapaftement. Taxe in sous perT+ once, not in an envelope.

30 TOULOUSE 30mm x 9mm Not recorded by Pothion tor 1792

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Letter from M. Crouzat, a bargee, posted at TOULOUSE on April 4th 1792 to Bousquet et Fils, merchants in AGDE where it was received on April 6th. Taxed at 7 sous for a distance of 30 - 40 lieues. The letter sets out the proposed itinerary from Toulouse to Agde, with a diversion to Narbonne for negotiations with carriers for the transport of ?8000 quintals of grain already waiting at Beaucaire. Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society LE CANAL DES DEUX MERS

The section from Toulouse to Sdte

The section from Toulouse to Site

THE CANAL DU MIDI

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Bill of lading dated 30 Vendemiaire an 13 (22'd. October 18M) for a cargo valued at 11,750 livres to be canied on the barge of patron Raynaud of Beaucaire from TOULOUSE to AGDE.

Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society za ocf | 80+ ,,a {.r j ,{ t "a ftko #!ffimt**/ fl.',,fo,,.ru r fs, J&' {f**r!;rrr*L;.-,ofiJ u-

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, t*!fiteu{.) coiliure) ct-coutfe) ; .ttgtD qu t' T dtte** drx.et{t- ae*ewfre,,ale**{ #rceu t- , , at$t;qu€) t$ ,i- t t *oururngr*s #{zte€d{- ri.i pdlezefr plul- r*, eL cal$t lt{,t--\ ";-1rg*-.*,'"{l*..*/fi t 1?fe I , ?* ieP o ltTf tt tr f .-.-- rr" *ioo.rt- {t{,t*rtd-- {''€orrnuuu }* nuou

t Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society LE CANAL DES DEUX MERS

THE CANAL DU MIDI

BT,JLLETII{ DES LOIS. N.o 6g"

(N." , r97.) Dicnzr tntpERrAL clnt€nant rectiification d'un artic/e de /a Loi du zt Vendimiaire an l/, re/atiye au Droit de navigailon sur le canal du Mirli, Au quartier inrpdrial d'Austerlitz, Ie r6 Frimaire an XIY" NapoLEoN, Emps,RnuR DEs FRemqers Idor o'Irerrr,; r. Vu Ie rapport du rninistre des finances sur Ia discordarrce qui existe dans l'article $, de la Ioi du e r vend6miaire anV, relative au droit de navigation sur Ie canal du Midi, entre I'enoncialion en rnesures et monnaies nouvelles, et celle en rnesures et monnaies anciennes, du droit etabli par cet article; Notre Conseil d'6tar entendu, Nous eyoxs nf,cnf,ri er ntcnrlroNs ce qui suir: Ant. I.o' Les mots, dnq deniers deux tiers par quintal et par portion de trois mille soixante-une tlises, sont, dans l,article $" de Ia Ioi du zr vend6miaire an V, substituds h ceux- ci z quatre deniers six eent quatre-vingt-quinry milliines par quintal et ?ar lieue de trois mille soixante-une toises, 2. A compter du r." janvier r8o6n Ia perception sera ! rdtablie con{brmdmert au vceu de Ia loi, d'apr}s Ia rectili: cation ordonnde par I'article pr€cddent. 3. Notre rninistre des finan€es est charg6 de I'exdcution du present decret" Sign6 NAPOLdON. Par l'Empereur : Le Seuitaire d'hat, sign6 Hucues B. MAngr; r. f l/,' Srrie, o

Official notice of Novembet 24ff. 1805 re implementation of changes to charges and measurements appertaining to navigation on the Canal du Midi, as detailed in the lawof Octoberl3u'1796. Theimplementation, innew money and measurements, to take effect from January 1st 1806.

The section from Toulouse to Sdte

THE CANAL DU MIDI

Revel a walled hill town (Bastide) c30 miles south east of Toulouse the site of the St. Ferr6ol reservoir, a source of water for the canal.

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30 It REVEL ale 21mm x 9mm Recorded use 1792 - 1826 'r

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A CASE OF POSTAL FRAUD

Letter dated July 18tn 1806 from Paul Borrelly, the postmaster at REVEL (1783 - c1820) to M. Clausade, director of the canal at TOULOUSE, expressing his grave concems about local children swimming in the St. Ferr6ol reservoir. Endorsed Recommand1 d M. Bugnot par san Confrdre./. Bonelly (M. Bugnot being the postmaster at Toulouse). The letter was put into the postal system, but not taxed ( 2ddcines <6gms. up to 100kms. Tariff of 20.07.1802). A definite case of fraud as postmasters were forbidden in the /nsfrucfion G6n6rale to use the free service for private conespndence.

Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society ,.] ':i. Copyright:ii France and Colonies Philatelic Society THE CANAL DU MIDI

18{0 - 1828

La Compagnie du Canal du Midi Share capital 10 million francs

The Paris Head Office & Administration 12, rue du Doyenne

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R&P1008 Numerous varieties Recorded use 10.05.1778 - 1830

Letter dated October 8th 1826 from the director of the Canal du Midi in PARIS to the manager and chief engineer of the canal in TOULOUSE, re the attributes of a proposed employee. Taxed 9 d*cimes in Paris for a 'l't weight step (< 6gms.) and distance band 600 - 800 kms. under the tariff of [vlay 9In 1806.

Reverse 80% Toulouse receiving mark

12 DEC 1826

R&Ptype1218 lntroduced 1820 Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society THE CANAL DU MIDI

1810 - {828

La Compagnie du Canal du Midi Share capital 10 million francs

The Paris Head Office & Administration gJ -/{a-t/- a

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THE CANAL LATERAL A GARONNE

BORDEAUX . TOULOUSE

The canal port at l'Embouchure, Toulouse

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EebateamhYapeuP - fuBI "fl qEK]H,€B fl]SA EIE Appaltcnant i llI. AD. /|RIBAUI), yensnt de Bordeatrx , arnarlti i l F}rr'l,orrclturc I |ar tira potrr AGIiN et BOIIDIIAUX le jnrrrli 25 corrrrrrt : il pler,tlla rles 1,a.sag.rs I S'irrlr<1s.,'r i, ll. -ao i!.ii,rlrAI tr, rti" Per igord , no I8 , ou au caPitaiue et corlrprablc i tior d. Fexx pes Elx..&cEs: POT'E BO&DEAUX, POT'B, AGES, err l5 et l6hetrres. err6:iTheures. I'S.,...... IB fr. rnrqurirris... B fr. gEC!ii{DES... .'...... 19 fr. sECor{DES... 5 fr,

Cutting from an 1841 issueof the Journal Toulousain advertising the timetable for the steamship Le Toulousa,n moored at the port of l'Embouchure, on the Canal atToulouse, for sailings to Agen and Bordeaux. Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society GENERAL STEAhTSH IP SERVICES

Le Canal des deux-mers Branch from Port - la - Nouvelle to Le Somail

THE CANAL de la ROBINE W , ti rtruF | 'l 5I lI rl r T lFrl i ffi r-{ rr UII Er .rt; ?rr*!:lrl L Cnnal de !;r Rnhinnr llntrlin de la Ville' NERBCTNNF. - -'-- -

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Letter dated September th 1852 from the numager of fte Robnrrc & Narbonne in ilARBOII{E, to the managing agent of fie mills abqg the banks of the canal informing hirn of a propced topping up" of the water level. Endorsed Sezuice du Canal du lkdi and signed llillet to be canied by barge to the addressee. Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society **illrI- , /, ! . /-/,,/* l:. t!5 ? . sil &IlI. ,1

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// &,t { Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society 1834 CONSIGNIVIENT NOTE FOR THE FIXED DAY DELIVERY SERVICE BETWEEN TOULOUSE & BORDEAUX

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ii .!:=;] a Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society ( Irtction Serdce des Ce TRANSPORTS BORDEAUX

Acceleres. Beaucaire.

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I ilL. R 2y"cua ?, ;,cr foDhulc. Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society GENERAL STEAMSHIP SERVICES

Le Ganal des Deux-Mers

Section from Site to Toulouse

THE CANAL DU MIDI

CANAL DU MIDI

ilaNl{t sil ffiilt. ----.+.4+-- BATEAUX DE POS'TE.

Restaurateur I H. JtLADE. + Ea cas de r&lamation , M]1, Ies Voyageurs.sont prids dc rernettre lc prdsent compte, avec leurs obsenaLions,I1!t, le Reeeyeur tlu Ba{.eau.

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Letter and invoice dated April 16th 1854 from the office of the Canat du Midi - Bateaux Posfe in CETTE to MONTPELLIER, where it was taxed at D8 centimes due, the unpaid 1st. weight step ( up to TYzgms.) letter rate of the tariff of July 1"t. 1850.

cANAL LATERAL A LA GARoNNE

Leased for 40 years in 1858 to the Cie. des Ghemins de Fer du Midi

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ERAL A LA GIBI}l.{t{E, CHEMINS DE FEB OU MIOI * Plncc Paris, h* s+l

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Envelope from the Head Office of the Company in PARIS to a lawyer in AURILLAC, Cantal, via the Paris d Clermonf night t.p.o. and re-addressed to La ROQUEBROU. Franked at20 centimes (Yv.1a) for a 1st weight step (up toTTz gr7?s.) letter, tariff of July 1st 1854. Delivered the following day.

The section from Bordeaux to Toulouse

THE CANAL DU MIDI

AN -Ll. D L. EA DE o40 {) fi Il 11-\ Fonrs CC t

Company cachet

on the reverse

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Letter from the office of the Administrator of the Bordeaux-Toulouse accelerated transportation section of the canal du Midi in BORDEAUX, to the manager responsible for the collection of canal fees in TOULOUSE, strongly reminding him that his budget figures for the following year have not been submitted on time. Dated October '15th 1856 it was posted the following day and received in Toulouse the same day. Franked at 2A centimes (Yv.14) for the pre-paid single rate letter, (weighing up to 71/zgtms.) - tariff of July 1st. 1854.

Copyright: France and Colonies Philatelic Society a$dffinEs #Varltrt*trstl.+$s Str. Setum{, be $tr[Abl' ET ----r+>>+3:<<<.+ BATEAUX A VAPEUR. Il, 7,/? €- . :--' So,)"o,o., t- /f- tS* { *-€r3)Or- ff*4*

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THE CANAL LATERAL A LA GARONNE

CASTETS-EN-DORTHE to TOU LOUSE

Horse drawn barges (pdniches) on the canal near Agen circa 1906

rO 5. Agen. - Le Canal du llidi

PhototJpie Pe[et, Agen

33, A$en. - Canal du Midi

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Photorypie Peret, Agen

THE CANAL LATERAL A LA GARONNE

CASTETS-EN-DORTH E to TOU LOUS E

Steam powered vessels

l-e Canal et Bateau i iapeur le sen)ice entre Age[ €t BordeauN - faisant

EHOIOTTPTE P!:NTET, T6EN

Steam powered tug on the Agen - Bordeaux section of the canal c.1910.

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canal duNid.i,

Steam powered barges on the Canal atToulouse 1908

THE CANAL DU MIDI

TOULOUSE TO AGDE

The Fonserannes Locks

A series of staircase locks on the Canal du Midi near B6ziers consisting of eight ovoid lock chambers (characteristic of the Canal du Midi) and nine gates, which allow boats to be raised a height of 21^5 m, over a distance of 300 m. \l/hilst the flight was built as an 8-rise, to allow boats to cross the River Orb on a level, rejoining the canal a little further downstream. Many years ago the crossing of the Orb was replaced by an aqueduct.

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View of the locks circa 1918

Although Piene-Paul Riquet very rightly receives so much credit and acknowledgement for the creation of the Canal du Midi, many individual parts of the canal were built by subcontractors. ln this instance it was the two highly skilled, but illiterate, brothers, Michel and Pierre Medailhes.

THE CANAL DU MIDI

TOULOUSE tO AGDE

PROFILE OF THE CANAL

Altitude in mete6

250 ll, E, 200 t o c -seuil de' c, Naurouze 6 150 Y// Gtrcal Toubuse 100

Agde -+ n 0 50 100 150 200 DISTANCE IN KI LOMETE RS

The highest point of the Canal du Midi is the SeurT de Naurouze at 189 meters in the frlantagne Noire.lt was designed to hold and distribute the waters from the rivers (a) le Sorand (b) /e Fresquel(a) westwards in the direction of the Atlantic Ocean and (b) eastwards towards the Mediterranean Sea.

L'A.uo:

37. _ - NAUROUZE' Lr DfviRsorR Du caNAL Du MrDr - BIEF Dr P^RTAGE DEs Eaox FooR L,oci^N ET L^ M6DTTERR^N6r: pHoTotwlE LAScUoHE aR!n:S, ralLOUsE

THE CANAL LATERAL A LA GARONNE

CASTETS-EN-DORTH E to TOULOUSE

Pleasure cruising

dans ic "l

ti 1! J,i'r li ru m I ---!

Toulouse a Bateau-Mouche 1912 and clg7O