Canal du Rhône à Sète, Commercial waterway in southern France.
The Canal du Rhône à Sète is a shipping channel roughly 98 kilometers long that links the Rhône River near Beaucaire with the Thau lagoon at Sète. The waterway runs through flat terrain with wide banks bordered by low vegetation and interrupted by locks and bridges that control water movement and allow passage above.
Construction began in 1666 under Louis XIV by joining two older waterways, establishing a direct trade link between the river and the sea. The route became essential for moving goods through southern France and remains active for both commercial and recreational boats today.
The waterway passes through towns like Aigues-Mortes and Saint-Gilles where traditional fishing boats and working harbors shape daily life along the banks. Locals still use the canal for small-scale fishing and recreational boating, keeping maritime traditions visible to travelers.
The waterway is open to pleasure boats and small cargo vessels, with modern locks managing traffic flow. Visitors should note that shallow sections exist along the route and passage depends on the size and type of vessel being used.
The western section from the Vidourle River to the Thau lagoon contains seawater, creating a rare environment where freshwater and marine waters meet and mix. Travelers can observe this blending of two different water types as they pass through the canal.
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