Canal du Midi

It took 12,000 workers and over ten years to build this canal connecting the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Designed by Pierre-Paul Riquet in 1681 to boost the local economy; Canal du Midi is now considered one of the masterpieces of Louis XIV's reign and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 241-kilometer (149.7-mile) canal, lined with hundred-year-old plane trees, is now used by barges, and its banks, enjoyed by walkers. The paths have also been made into bicycle trails. A trip along the waterway, lasting a few hours to several days, is an excellent way to discover the lesser-known sites of Southern France.