The Rigole du Canal

The Rigole de la Plaine and the Rigole de la Montagne

After having travelled through the Montagne Noire for a long time collecting the salt tax, Pierre Paul Riquet realised that the many streams in the area would be able to feed an artificial canal.

He first dug the Rigole de Montagne which collected the water from the Alzeau and took it to the St Ferréol lake. There, under the dam, the taps allowed the water to descend to the Seuil de Naurouze, the highest point on the plain between Toulouse and the Mediterranean, via the Rigole de la Plaine.

Previously, you could sail on the Rigole de la Plaine between the Seuil de Naurouze and Revel. Today it is a very pleasant place to walk, under the trees, accompanied by the sound of running water.