Canal du Midi Bridge – Argent-Double Spillway loop from Aigues-Vives

Mountain biking trails

Canal du Midi Bridge – Argent-Double Spillway loop from Aigues-Vives

Moderate

4.5

(13)

113

riders

Canal du Midi Bridge – Argent-Double Spillway loop from Aigues-Vives

04:41

62.4km

250m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 2, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 45.1 km for 252 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

2.98 km

Étang de Marseillette Vineyards

Highlight • Structure

The pond covers an area of 2000 ha, and is shared between the municipalities of Marseillette, Aigues-Vives, Saint-Frichoux and Puichéric. In the past, it supplied the region with fish. From the 12th century, people began to talk about draining this stagnant body of water, a source of death and misery for Marseillette and the surrounding villages that were becoming depopulated. In 1605, Henri IV issued a royal decree to drain the pond. But it was not until 1804 and the purchase of the pond by an Irishwoman, Madame de Lawless, that it was drained, thanks to a vast construction project.
The pond was then cultivated and developed to use the waters of the Aude, with an original irrigation system consisting of perpendicular canals allowing the flooding of the soil.
Today, vines, apples and rice are the main products found there. Its calm and flat paths are very pleasant for hiking or cycling, in a typical landscape.

Translated by Google •

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13.0 km

Canal du Midi Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

Cycle paths and small trails often lead along the Canal de Midi, which can also be mastered with a normal bicycle. However, an MTB offers more comfort.

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13.1 km

Argent-Double Spillway

Highlight • Bridge

The Argent-Double spillway regulates the water level in the canal. It is a real work of art that deserves a stop to take a good look at its architecture and its environment!

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13.2 km

Argent-Double aqueduct and spillway

Highlight • Other

This structure, born from the recommendations made by Vauban to improve the Canal du Midi, was built in 1693. It is one of the most original structures on the Canal du Midi with its eleven-arched bridge. The function of this structure is to evacuate excess water from the canal to the Argent-Double River.

This evacuation is done in two ways. The first is by evacuating surface water by means of a spillway (overflow system) at the point where the bank is lowest at the level of the arches of the structure. The water that spills then falls in a cascade to the Argent-Double River below. After the surface water has been evacuated, the second means of evacuation of the structure is the spillway itself, that is to say, a bottom valve, which allows, with the action of man, to evacuate the water through the bottom. During maintenance work carried out in winter, this reach (portion between two locks) is emptied by this means.

A passage on the arches is built in order to maintain a "dry" continuity for the towing horses and avoid the slippery and perilous passage that this spillway presented. (Text from: La Redorte
and works of the Argent-Double)

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20.4 km

Écluse de l'Aiguille

Highlight • Other

At the Aiguille lock, there are a number of statues made by the lock keeper himself in his spare time. Take a picture with these characters watching the passers-by!

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23.5 km

Viewpoint

24.5 km

View of Marseillette pond

Highlight • Other

The pond covers an area of 2000 ha, and is shared between the municipalities of Marseillette, Aigues-Vives, Saint-Frichoux and Puichéric. In the past, it supplied the region with fish.

From the 12th century onwards, people began to talk about draining this stagnant body of water, a source of death and misery for Marseillette and the surrounding villages, which were becoming depopulated. In 1605, Henry IV issued a royal decree to drain the Pond.

But it wasn't until 1804 and the purchase of the Pond by an Irishwoman, Madame de Lawless, that it was drained, thanks to a vast construction project.

The pond was then cultivated and developed to use the waters of the Aude, with an original irrigation system consisting of perpendicular canals allowing the flooding of the land.

Today, vines, apples, and rice are the main products found there. Its quiet and flat paths are very pleasant for hiking or cycling, in a typical landscape.

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35.7 km

Trèbes Triple Locks

Highlight • Structure

Magnificent one of the highest on the canal

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37.2 km

Orbiel Aqueduct

Highlight • Other

Located at the intersection of the Canal du Midi and the Orbiel, the Orbiel canal bridge allows the crossing of the two streams of water. A truly remarkable work of engineering!

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45.2 km