The best traffic-free bike rides around Montesquieu-Lauragais

Round arch bridge typical of the late 17th century, which could date back to the construction of the Canal. It shows traces of the destruction of its vault by Soult's army after the Battle of Toulouse on April 10, 1814, and its repair in 1821. Watering trough attached to the upstream side of the left bank abutment.

The Canal du Midi, formerly the Royal Canal, is a 17th-century technical feat designed by Pierre-Paul Riquet to connect the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Today, it is above all a place for relaxation and discovery, where heritage, nature, and conviviality blend together.

The Donneville bridge appears on the map of the Napoleonic cadastre of 1808. It is part of the bridges built in Riquet's time. However, it was destroyed on April 12, 1814 by Marshal Soult during the battle of Toulouse. Indeed, driven out of Spain, the French soldiers retreated to Toulouse to resist better, but the hostility of the rather royalist population forced them to fall back to Castelnaudary. Marshal Soult, anxious to keep his army intact while retreating south of the Canal du Midi, protected his retreat and blew up the bridges, including that of Donneville. In 1821, the bridge was rebuilt identically.

The Donneville bridge appears on the 1808 Napoleonic cadastre map. It is part of the bridges built during Riquet's time. However, it was destroyed on April 12, 1814 by Marshal Soult during the battle of Toulouse. Indeed, driven out of Spain, the French soldiers retreated to Toulouse to resist better, but the hostility of the predominantly royalist population forced them to fall back to Castelnaudary. Marshal Soult, anxious to keep his army intact while retreating south of the Canal du Midi, protected his retreat and blew up the bridges, including the one at Donneville. In 1821, the bridge was rebuilt identically.

The lock keeper's house and the dovecote, as well as the harbour and the washhouse, date from the construction of the canal. The washhouses, planned from the outset, were strictly regulated. Woe betide anyone who came to wash their laundry without authorization! As for laundry theft, it was punishable by imprisonment. This covered washhouse is the oldest, equipped with a bench and a fireplace to heat the water.

The lock keeper's house and the dovecote, as well as the port and the washhouse, date from the construction of the canal. The washhouses, planned from the outset, were strictly regulated. Beware of anyone who came to wash their laundry without authorization! As for laundry theft, it was punishable by imprisonment. This covered washhouse is the oldest, equipped with a bench and a chimney to heat the water.

This is a very fine example of a "segmented arch" bridge. A construction that gives boats greater passage height near the abutments. Originally, the keystone of the bridge was decorated with the coat of arms of Languedoc. But this ornament was erased during the French Revolution.

With its simple lock, its typical lock keeper's house from the first half of the 19th century, its red brick bridge with a keystone, and its bucolic 19th-century harbor, this is an absolutely picturesque site!