The engineering structures of the Canal latéral à la Garonne: between heritage and ingenuity
The Garonne Canal: the missing link between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic
The little brother of the famous Canal du Midi, the Canal de Garonne was inaugurated in 1856 after 17 years of hard work. This work is a real technical and human feat. The two parts form the Canal Des Deux Mers linking the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.
Today, the Canal de Garonne is much more than a "missing link": it's an invitation to discover a living heritage, where history and nature combine to offer visitors a unique experience!
The remarkable structures dotted along the Canal Latéral à la Garonne bear witness to the prosperous days when commercial shipping was at its height.
Among the 143 structures along the Canal de Garonne, here are some of the most unusual you'll come across on our territory:
The Cacor Canal Bridge, Moissac
Designed between 1842 and 1846 by engineer François Terrié, and built by Montalban contractor Pierre Causseran, this bridge is a harmonious blend of red Toulouse brick and white Quercy stone. But its role is not limited to its architectural beauty: it allows boats on the Canal de Garonne to pass over the River Tarn.
At a time when the Canal de Garonne was falling into disuse due to the privileged use of the railway, the Pont-Canal du Cacor came to the rescue of the train during the devastating floods of March 1930. When the railway bridge on the Bordeaux-Sète line was destroyed, the Compagnie des Chemins de Fer du Midi came up with an unexpected solution. The Pont-canal du Cacor was transformed from a simple water crossing into a temporary railway line. Part of the canal was drained and the towpath widened to accommodate the rails. So, for two years, trains and boats lived side by side on this structure.
The Pont-canal du Cacor is not just a crossing point, it is a symbol of adaptability, a real feat that continues to fascinate all those who venture there.
Did you know?
The Pont-canal du Cacor is the third longest bridge-canal in France, just behind those at Briare in the Loiret and Agen in the Lot et Garonne?
At 356 metres long and 12.50 metres wide, this impressive structure is easily accessible. If you're a keen cyclist, you can take the Vélo Voie Verte, which winds its way along the Canal, or take the road directly.
The Saint-Jacques swing bridge, Moissac
Moissac once boasted four swing bridges, but today the Pont Saint Jacques is the last surviving bridge on the entire Canal Latéral de Garonne!
Renovated in the 1950s, the Pont Saint Jacques stands out for its Quercy stone and Toulouse brick construction.
But why opt for swing bridges rather than traditional bridges? The answer lies in urban planning: a conventional bridge requires road levels to be raised to allow vehicles access to the deck, whereas a swing bridge can be located at almost the same level as the road. However, this ingenious design had one drawback: each boat passage meant an interruption to traffic.
With the increase in car traffic, Moissac's swing bridges were gradually deemed obsolete, with the exception of the Pont Saint Jacques, which proudly continues to operate, reminding everyone of the ingenuity of the past.
The double lock between the Canal and the Tarn, Moissac
Contrary to popular belief, the Canal is not perfectly horizontal. In fact, its course is punctuated by ascents and descents, necessitating the construction of locks to compensate for these differences in level. The 53 locks on the canal, designed to the Freycinet gauge, are 40.50 metres long and 6 metres wide. Each lock is made up of two gates, known as "busquées", which butt up against each other to ensure optimum watertightness. This technique, developed by Italian engineers in the 15th century, was perfected by Leonardo da Vinci, who introduced the "trapdoor" system at the bottom of the gates.
Today, these locks are fully automated and managed by Voies Navigables de France, continuing to play an essential role in navigation.
The Eiffel Bridge, Castelsarrasin
In the 1840s and 1850s, Castelsarrasin experienced an economic and demographic boom, fuelled by merchant shipping on the Canal de Garonne and the advent of the railway. Given this dynamic, the need to link the town centre to the station became obvious. It was against this backdrop that the Eiffel footbridge was built in 1889.
Its construction was the fruit of almost 10 years' careful consideration, during which time numerous projects were examined by the town council. In the end, the Town Council opted for a "footbridge", a bold design that combined functionality and aesthetics. The Passerelle Eiffel was not just a passageway, but a true symbol of the history and dynamism of Castelsarrasin.
Don't miss the chance to discover it and appreciate its architecture during a stroll around Castelsarrasin's Jacques-Yves Cousteau marina.
The lock house on the Cacor Canal Bridge, Moissac
Historically, these houses were used as lodgings for lock-keepers, and were landmarks for navigators.
The lock houses are built in brick, following the same model, and originally had adjoining stables and hay barns. Each house has a plaque showing the name of the lock and the distance to the next one.
Today, the mechanisation of locks has led to the disuse of these buildings. Despite this, they are still protected and listed, and the Voies Navigables de France (VNF), which owns the works on the Canal, is careful to preserve the ancient character and architectural integrity of these buildings.
Today, some of the houses along the canal are being brought back to life as artists' residences, restaurants, dance halls, etc., like Les Terrasses du Pont-Canal Cacor, which will be developed around the former lock-keeper's house in 2021. The site, which has been completely restored by Alain Miellet (its current tenant), is now a must-taste stop-off for walkers and cyclists. During the summer months, the establishment regularly organises festive events such as concerts and exhibitions.
The Coudol Bridge, Saint-Nicolas de la Grave
The Coudol is a suspension bridge that spans both the Canal des Deux Mers and the Garonne. It was built in the mid-19th century to replace the old ferry across the Garonne.
The nearby confluence was once one of the busiest areas on the Garonne during the golden age of merchant shipping. However, with the diversion of traffic to the right bank of the Garonne, thanks in particular to the construction of the new road from Auch to Moissac, the village of Saint-Nicolas de la Grave lost some of its strategic importance.
This new road is now connected to the Bordeaux-Toulouse trunk road by the famous Pont Coudol, and is a testament to the modernisation of our region's roads.
Every time you cross the Pont Coudol, prepare to be amazed! The reflections of the light dance on the waters of the river, creating a unique visual spectacle. The colours change as the days and seasons go by. Don't miss this spectacle at sunset!
Amateurs de photos, oyez oyez : le pont coudol offre une vue magnifique sur la Garonne et sur le Canal des 2 mers. En toute saison, vous pourrez y faire de jolis clichés. Restez toutefois prudents, le passage est étroit sur le pont et les voitures qui y circulent sont nombreuses !
Chuchoté par MARINA
In Tarn et Garonne, don't miss another major site: the Montech water gradient, a unique structure on the Canal Des Mers!
