Historic towns and villages, farmland, castles atop forested hills, small river ports, marinas, beautiful tree-lined sections of canal, even people riding bicycles and jogging on the tow path beside the canal is what holiday makers will encounter on the Canal Laterla a la Garonne, of which the Agen Canal Bridge is a famous part, spanning the river Garonne,. Located near the ancient town of Agen, this 530-meter aqueduct is part of the 211 km waterway joining the Atlantic at Bordeaux and the Mediterranean at Port la Nouvelle or Sete that provided access to both seas without having to go around the Iberian Peninsula. The construction of a waterway between Toulouse and Castets en Dorthe to join up with the Canal du Midi was originally promoted in the 18th century, but it had to wait another one hundred years to come to fruition.
The need for better, more economical and faster ways to transport goods contributed to the completion of the project in 1849 after 17 long years. The most well known part of the waterway, hailed as an engineering marvel, is the aqueduct made entirely out of Quercy stone blocks and comprising 23 ‘basket handle’ arches supported on 22 pillars. The 12.48 meter wide waterway includes the 8.82-metre-wide canal and two tow paths. But because of its limited width, it allows only for one-way traffic. A lock and a basin are located downstream of the bridge and a basin is found at the upper end of the bridge. At the time of its completion, the Agen Canal Bridge was the longest navigable aqueduct in France. In 1996, the canal midi, along with the Agen Canal Bridget, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Unfortunately the canal was completed at the same time as the Bordeaux–Sete railway line, which also followed the same route. The increase of water transport taxes during this time put to rest whatever uses the waterway may have had and with the growing popularity of the railway, it saw declining fortunes and the water-borne freight business all but evaporated. However, today, it is busy with boats of holiday-makers who come here to enjoy the area’s exceptional natural beauty as well as its historical landmarks.
Le Moulin de Madam is an ideal place to stop over when driving through the southwest region of France. Its central location allows easy access to many areas of natural beauty and historical landmarks in the area. Guests at this Villeneuve Sur Lot hotel are offered a selection of well-appointed contemporary accommodation interestingly located in a series of former town houses along the river in a historical area and a full service spa. Stay at the new hotel Villeneuve Sur Lot, to enjoy a tranquil setting and a comfortable and relaxing stay.
