An unusual trace of the Canal du Midi in Paraza is the Église Notre Dame de l’Assomption: it is a “relocated church”, and its history is closely linked to the construction of the canal. This story leads to other topics, from buildings to village trails; the Balcon de Paraza offers views over the Aude plain, while wine and château history come together at the Château de Paraza.
The Canal du Midi: construction history and remembrance
Construction of the Pont-canal du RĂ©pudre began in 1676, and it was nearly complete by 1680. The Aqueduc du RĂ©pudre on the Canal du Midi has been protected as a historic monument since the decree of 19 November 1942. The dates bring the construction period to life, while the monument protection provides another historical reference point.
Pierre-Paul Riquet is also associated with the construction period: during the building of the Canal du Midi, the Château de Paraza served as his residence. A small path leads from the Canal du Midi to the Château de Paraza. This brings together construction history and a specific route between the canal and the château as different aspects of a visit.
Water and village history on walking tours
The “À la conquête de l'eau” walking tour explores the village’s water supply. Information panels show how it has been managed throughout history up to the present day. The tour features a noria, the remains of a watermill, wells including the Fontaine Fraiche, springs and former reservoirs. It thus brings together different types of water sources and facilities in a historical narrative.
“Au fil du vieux Paraza” has a different focus: the walking tour leads through the old village, and street names convey fragments of its history. If you choose between the two routes, the first focuses on the water supply, while the second explores the historical significance of the street names. Each reveals different details of the village.
Riquet’s construction period as an escape game
The escape game “Dans la peau de Riquet à Paraza” explains how Pierre-Paul Riquet overcame the problems that arose during the construction of the Canal du Midi in Paraza. The game is structured around four stations and four tasks. Rather than focusing on a building or a walking tour, it explores Riquet’s solutions to problems during the construction period. This adds to the historical perspective with a challenge specifically focused on this part of the canal’s history.
Views of the landscape and culture along the canal
From the Balcon de Paraza, the view stretches across the Aude plain, with the Corbières and the Pyrenees in the background. This perspective on the landscape is distinct from the historical themes in the village and along the Canal du Midi.
On the banks of the Canal du Midi, CLAP hosts regularly changing exhibitions. It also offers creative workshops, exhibition openings and music evenings. If you would like to include exhibitions or events in your visit alongside buildings and walking tours, you’ll find a different cultural focus here.
Wine and château history at the Château de Paraza
Wine tastings and wine sales are offered at the Château de Paraza. Visitors can discover both the wines and the château’s history. Introductory wine-tasting workshops are also available, covering the basics of oenology and different grape varieties. Each format has a different focus: the tastings bring together wine and château history, while the workshops concentrate on the basics and grape varieties. Together with Riquet’s former residence during the construction of the canal, they offer a distinctive way to explore the Château’s history and wine.
Discover more destinations: Tournissan, Arquettes-En-Val, Nébias, Lespinassière, Loupia, Labastide-En-Val, Verzeille, Villeneuve-Les-Corbières.
For the regional travel overview: Aude.
