La Redorte and the Canal du Midi

If you choose La Redorte as your destination, you will encounter above all the Canal du Midi, historic structures, and a variety of connections to routes and nature. The canal crosses La Redorte for a length of 5,090 metres and forms a thread running through the town’s history. When planning your stay, you can consider whether you would like to focus on architectural history, a stroll, a hiking route, or pole fishing.

The Canal du Midi and its history

The Canal du Midi was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. In La Redorte, this broader recognition can be linked to a precise local reference: the canal crosses the town for 5,090 metres. Two different perspectives thus come together—the canal’s inclusion on the World Heritage List and its course through the commune. The structures add concrete architectural features and historical dates to this view.

Structures from different periods

The Épanchoir de l’Argent-Double was completed in 1694 to plans by Vauban. It consists of a series of eleven ashlar arches. The Château de La Redorte offers a different architectural accent: this Neoclassical building dates from the 18th century and has an ornate triangular pediment and four square towers. The present-day Church of Saint-Pierre-aux-liens was built around 1849; its portal is Romanesque Revival.

The three structures offer different features for an architectural comparison: the series of ashlar arches at the Épanchoir, the pediment and towers at the Château, and the church’s Romanesque Revival portal. Their dates also differ clearly: the late 17th-century Épanchoir is followed by the 18th-century Château and the 19th-century church. If you are interested in architectural history, you can consider both individual forms and their different dates.

A stroll and the history of the canal

The Port-la-Fabrique mooring basin is the starting point for a stroll to the Épanchoir de l’Argent-Double and the Dînée. Less than a kilometre downstream from the port of La Redorte, before the Métairie du Bois bridge, is a former “dînée.” It served as a midday stop for the “barque de poste” (mail boat). The stroll thus links named destinations with a place whose former function is part of the history of canal traffic.

Hiking route and waterways

The “Les Douze Ponts (Épanchoir)” hiking route connects the Canal du Midi with the Estagnol nature reserve. This is a different route connection from the stroll starting at Port-la-Fabrique, which leads to the Épanchoir and the Dînée: the hiking route focuses on the canal and nature reserve as linked destinations, while the stroll takes in named places from the history of the canal.

Another point of interest is Lac de la Métairie du Bois. This shaded, easily accessible body of water covers just over two hectares and is suitable for pole fishing. The two recommendations differ in terms of activity: the hiking route connects the canal and nature reserve, while the lake is specifically associated with pole fishing.

An offering with two booklets

“Jouez à découvrir La Redorte” comprises two booklets: one for adults and one for teenagers. The offering is therefore divided between these two target groups.

Discover more destinations: Rouffiac-des-Corbières, Véraza, Castans, Arzens, Villegailhenc, Homps, Cournanel, Nébias.

For the broader travel overview: Aude.