Canal du Midi - the 7 Fonserranes Locks

France / Languedoc-Roussillon / Beziers /
 lock (water navigation), interesting place
The major work of the Canal du Midi, at the foot of the town of Beziers. It is composed of 7 oval basins (the French version says 8, but you can count them in the photo) & 8 gates (French version: 9) that permit boats to be raised (or lowered, depending on which way you're going) 21.5 meters in the space of a little more than 300 meters. The northeastern-most gate in the diagram is permanently closed, thereby diverting Mediterranean-bound boat traffic to the southeast -- & thence over the pont-canal that traverses the river & enters the "port" of Beziers.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   43°19'50"N   3°11'58"E
This article was last modified 13 years ago