Malpas Tunnel, Canal tunnel and aqueduct in Nissan-lez-Enserune, France.
The Malpas Tunnel extends for 173 meters through limestone hills, featuring 30 supporting arches and maintaining dimensions of 6 meters width and 8.5 meters height.
Constructed between 1679 and 1680 by Pierre-Paul Riquet, this first canal tunnel in history allowed the Canal du Midi to pass under the Ensérune hill.
The tunnel represents a technical achievement of French engineering, demonstrating the determination to connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
The structure contains three separate tunnels: the canal passage at the top, a 13th-century drainage gallery in the middle, and a 19th-century railway tunnel below.
When Minister Colbert ordered construction to stop due to ground instability, Riquet continued work secretly and completed a test tunnel in eight days.
Location: Nissan-lez-Enserune
Location: Colombiers
Official opening: 1680
Length: 173 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible
Address: Le Malpas, 34440 Nissan-lez-Enserune, France 34440 Nissan-lez-Enserune 34440 Nissan-lez-Enserune
Website: https://canal-du-midi.com/decouvrir/fil-eau/carcassonne-a-beziers/colombier-malpas-montady-enserune
GPS coordinates: 43.30720,3.12670
Latest update: September 4, 2025 10:09
Fonseranes Lock
6.4 km
Oppidum d'Ensérune
1.3 km
Pond of Montady
1.4 km
Orb Aqueduct
7.6 km
Pont Vieux of Béziers
7.5 km
Cave cooperative de Maraussan
6.9 km
Château des archevêques de Narbonne
7 km
Capestang bridge
7.1 km
Villa Vivios
6.7 km
Tour de Montady
2.6 km
Chapelle Saint-Christol de Nissan-lez-Enserune
3.7 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Miséricorde de Nissan-lez-Enserune
1.4 km
Église Saint-Félix de Bayssan
6.5 km
Église Saint-Sylvestre-et-Sainte-Colombe de Colombiers
1.3 km
Église Saint-Saturnin
1.7 km
Église Saint-Baudile de Maureilhan
5.7 km
Ensérune museum
1.1 km
Monument de la République
5.6 km
Maraussan war memorial
7.5 km
Pont Neuf
7.5 km
Église Saint-Julien Sainte-Basilisse de Salles-d'Aude
7.7 km
Capestang war memorial
7.4 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Liesse de Fleury
7.5 km
Pont d'Occitanie
7.6 km
Zinga Zanga
5.7 km
Église Saint-Geniès de Montady
2.7 km
Chapelle des Pénitents de Salles-d'Aude
7.7 km
Château de Maureilhan
5.8 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes