This lock on the Canal du Midi was built around 1674.
Look at the oval shape of the lock. The oldest plans provided for a straight shape, but… after the collapse of a side wall at the beginning of the construction of the canal, Riquet changed his plans and rebuilt oval-shaped locks, more resistant.
The Canal du Midi is a waterway built under the supervision of Pierre-Paul Riquet from 1666 to 1681 to have an inland waterway in the South of France. It is one of the oldest canals in Europe that are still operational. It has been placed on UNESCO's World Heritage since 1996.
The Canal du Midi is a remarkable work in many ways.
From a technical perspective: it has succeeded in achieving the creation of a crossover en route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea on 360 km of waterways punctuated by over 300 works (aqueducts, locks). This complex accomplishment is a great example of success in hydraulics in civil engineering.
Aesthetic
From an aesthetic perspective: the designers of the work have sought to ensure the harmonious coexistence of architectural works with the surrounding landscapes.
The Canal du Midi consists of 63 locks throughout its 240 km linking Toulouse to the Étang de Thau, in Marseillan, on the Mediterranean coast.
You will see many barges on the canal, which are sometimes true houseboats. It is also possible to rent them.