Sarah De Winne The Malpas Tunnel on the Canal du Midi is an intriguing place where history is etched in its walls. This hidden gem is situated between the charming canal ports of Poilhes and Colombiers in the picturesque region of Occitanie. The tunnel and its surroundings are a great place to relax whilst discovering a piece of local and world history!
Tucked away on the Canal du Midi, the Malpas Tunnel is a remarkable engineering feat that delights boaters and onlookers. Whether you glide through this curious tunnel by boat or walk/pedal along its towpath, the Malpas Tunnel is a local treasure that will captivate visitors of all ages.
While the Malpas Tunnel is well-known to locals, it often escapes the attention of first-time visitors to the region. Drawing on our local insight and expertise, this article shares our reasons to visit this unusual and less well-known historic site. To make the most of your visit, we also share some of our other favourite points of interest that are nearby.
5 Reasons to Visit the Malpas Tunnel Canal du Midi
1. Travel Through the First Navigable Canal Tunnel in History
The first reason to visit the Malpas Tunnel on the Canal du Midi is its historical significance. Built in 1679 by Pierre-Paul Riquet, the Malpas Tunnel was the first navigable canal tunnel ever built! It enabled the Canal du Midi to pass under the hill d’Ensérune in Hérault.
Over 300 years later, this little piece of local and world history is still standing and is free to visit. By following the towpath, you can explore the entire length of the tunnel on foot.
2. Witness Lasting Architectural Ingenuity
Walking, cycling, or navigating through the eery darkness of the Malpas Tunnel is a great way to appreciate the scale and ingenuity of this 17th century engineering achievement. In all, the tunnel is approximately 165 metres long, 9 metres wide and 5 metres high! On our first visit, we were impressed by the length of the tunnel!
In fact, the Malpas Tunnel was also dug in secret! At that time, Louis XIV decided to stop the build owing to problems encountered when tunnelling through sandstone. However, Pierre-Paul Riquet was convinced that he could overcome this challenge and continued to work on the tunnel until he succeeded.
TOP TIP: If you are interested in learning more about the Malpas Tunnel and other nearby historical sites, there is a Tourist Office with information boards and facilities at the Maison du Malpas. The Maison du Malpas is located within walking distance of the Malpas Tunnel just off the D162E3.
3. Enjoy a Unique Experience
In addition to being of historical and architectural interest, a visit to the Malpas Tunnel on the Canal du Midi is a unique experience. Here you can experience a lesser-known attraction that you won’t see anywhere else. It also provides an authentic glimpse into local life and history.
You might think you are just visiting one tunnel, but in fact there are three tunnels on the site of the Malpas Tunnel! Less than 2 metres below the canal, there is another tunnel for the Bordeaux-Sète railway line that dates to 1856.
Further below the Malpas Tunnel, there is also an ancient underground aqueduct that is part of a 13th century drainage network. This system once evacuated water from the nearby drained pond known as the Étang de Montady.
Certainly, a journey through the Malpas Tunnel will be distinctive and memorable. However, it is also a lot of fun to pass through a tunnel that is a little dark, eery and echoey! Watch out overhead! You might even see young locals jumping dangerously into the canal!
4. Relax in a Tranquil Location
Given its location along the Canal du Midi, the Malpas Tunnel is also a great place to relax and unwind. There is something about waterways that make it easy to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. In the tranquil surroundings of the tunnel, you can find peace and enjoy the picturesque landscape of the Canal du Midi.
5. Enjoy Outdoor Activities
Finally, the Malpas Tunnel and the flat towpaths along the banks of the Canal du Midi are the perfect place to enjoy leisurely walks or bike rides. Of course, you can also hire a canal boat and enjoy travelling on the water. Certainly, the tunnel’s intriguing presence is something to discover along the way and adds to the enjoyment of any outdoor activity.
How to Get to the Malpas Tunnel Canal du Midi
To get to the Malpas Tunnel by road from Béziers, take the D609 towards Nissan-les-Enserune, then the D162E3. Alternatively, take the D11 towards Montady, then the D162 that passes through Colombiers.
You can also reach the Malpas Tunnel by walking along the Canal du Midi from the small village of Poilhes or the town of Colombiers. For information, the walking loop from Colombiers is shorter than the hike from Poilhes.
Our Recommendations of Places to Visit Near the Malpas Tunnel Canal du Midi
Close to the Malpas Tunnel there are other historical sites and local places of interest that are also worth visiting. You can easily combine a visit to the Malpas Tunnel with some of our recommendations:
L’Oppidum d’Ensérune (Archaeological Site and Museum)
Approximately 1 km from the Malpas Tunnel is L’Oppidum d’Ensérune. This is an interesting archaeological site situated on the Ensérune hilltop. Here you can discover the ruins of a major Gallic city and a museum of historical artefacts.
Distance from Malpas Tunnel: Approximately 1 km (3 minutes by car)
View of L’Etang de Montady
From the top of the Ensérune hill next to the entrance to L’Oppidum d’Ensérune, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the curious Etang de Montady. This circular drained pond is an intriguing sight. On a clear day, you can also enjoy 360-degree panoramic views that stretch to the Pyrenees.
Distance from Malpas Tunnel: Approximately 1 km (3 minutes by car)
Les 9 Écluses de Fonseranes
On the Canal du Midi just on the outskirts of Béziers, you can also visit the interesting water staircase of nine locks designed by Riquet. For more information, follow this link to read our local’s guide to visiting Les 9 Écluses de Fonseranes.
Distance from Malpas Tunnel: Approximately 12 km (15 minutes by car)
Capestang
To the northwest of the Malpas Tunnel, Capestang’s gothic church (La Collégiale de Saint-Etienne) dominates the surrounding vineyards and countryside. Capestang itself is an authentic town where you will find attractive tree-lined squares and a maze of narrow streets to explore. The Canal du Midi also winds its way around this charming town which is home to one of the largest canal ports in the area.
Distance from Malpas Tunnel: Approximately 10 km (15 minutes by car)
Bize-Minervois
To the west of the Malpas Tunnel, you will find a typical Mediterranean village called Bize-Minervois. This charming medieval village is sheltered by the Cesse valley and is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The river Cesse runs through this pretty village and is a popular swimming spot for locals and visitors in the summer months.
Distance from Malpas Tunnel: Approximately 26 km (30 minutes by car)
Le Somail
The sleepy hamlet of Le Somail is also located west of the Malpas Tunnel and is a canal port on the Canal du Midi. In the summer months, this popular UNESCO World Heritage Site comes alive with boaters navigating the canal and visitors enjoying the pretty hamlet.
If you are a fan of second-hand books, there is also a fascinating ancient bookstore right beside the canal. The bookshop is called Le Trouve Tout du Livre and houses over 50,000 books that will appeal to all ages.
Distance from Malpas Tunnel: Approximately 28 km (30 minutes by car)
Is it Worth Visiting the Malpas Tunnel on the Canal du Midi?
It is worth visiting the Malpas Tunnel for its unique blend of history and nature. As the first navigable tunnel built, the Malpas Tunnel shows past ingenuity and skill. It’s a must-visit destination for those searching off the beaten path historical sites and natural beauty along the Canal du Midi.
