The Canal Connection

At Toulouse, the Garonne connects with one of humanity's great engineering achievements—the Canal du Midi. This 17th-century waterway links the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, fulfilling an ancient dream. The canal's creator, Pierre-Paul Riquet, employed techniques learned from around the world, including irrigation methods from the Moors of Spain.

The canal's construction involved massive labor forces, including workers from across Europe and forced laborers from France's galleys. Today, their descendants can be found in communities along both the canal and the Garonne. In Castelnaudary, families trace their roots to Italian stoneworkers who stayed after the canal was complete.

"My ancestors came in chains to dig this canal," reflects Michel Durand, whose family history includes galley laborers. "Now I captain tourist boats on these same waters. History has ironies. The canal that was built by forced labor now provides freedom—to travel, to work, to dream."