Bassin de Saint-Ferréol, Artificial lake in Haute-Garonne, France.
The Bassin de Saint-Ferréol is an artificial lake in Haute-Garonne that covers around 67 hectares and sits behind a massive stone embankment. The dam itself measures 780 meters in length and 32 meters in height, with a vaulted masonry tunnel running through its base.
Engineer Pierre-Paul Riquet oversaw construction of this reservoir between 1667 and 1672 to supply the Canal du Midi with water throughout the year. The project was part of a larger effort to link the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea.
The name honors Saint Ferreolus, whose church stands nearby and has drawn pilgrims for centuries. In summer, families from the region come to picnic along the shore and swim in the clear water.
Supervised swimming is available from June through September, while fishing and other water activities are possible throughout the year. Marked walking trails circle the shore, offering views of the lake and the forested slopes.
A vaulted stone tunnel runs through the dam, allowing workers to draw off water while also flushing out accumulated silt. This dual function has kept the lake operational for more than three centuries.
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