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Ecluse de Castanet Lock Canal Du Midi

(esclusa sluseport sluis Schleuse sluse chiuse sluss)

PK (Point Kilométrique): 15.715

Year of Construction: 1670

Type of lock: Simple (previously double)

Lock keeper presence: no

Water drop (meters): 4.98

Bike path side: North side

This is the first elliptically shaped lock if you are coming from Toulouse.  The locks between here and Toulouse are all rectangular in shape.  Paul Riquet, the builder of the canal, was not satisfied with the quality and strenght of the rectangular locks.  He found that an arching wall was stronger.  So after finishing this lock, he did all subsequent locks in an elliptical shape as well.

There is a restaurant located at this lock as well.  (Link)

Image Gallery

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