What you can expect:
Program
Antoinette Banquet invites you to immerse yourself in the daily life of the workers who participated in the construction of the Royal Canal of Languedoc (the actual Canal du Midi) in the 17th century. Through her narrative, you will relive the history of this monumental project, built in record time thanks to the determination of one man, Pierre-Paul Riquet. Le Somail is a picturesque hamlet that was born, developed, and thrives thanks to this waterway. Antoinette knows all its secrets and will make you relive the grand and small history through her amusing anecdotes!
Get to Know Your Guide/Character:
Antoinette Banquet is the daughter of a farmer from Saint-Marcel d'Aude, a small Occitan village near Narbonne. When she heard about the construction project of the Royal Canal of Languedoc, she decided to apply to its builder, Pierre-Paul Riquet, to be hired as a laborer. Her determination paid off as she became one of the 600 female workers on the Canal du Midi (compared to 11,500 men). For 14 years, she has proudly contributed to the creation of this engineering marvel.
In front of the Le Somail Tourist Office
Village streets, Canal du Midi, bypass of the church, evocation of inns and other facilities for travelers of the time.
10:30 a.m
Visite intéressante permettant d’en apprendre beaucoup sur une époque souvent trop représentée par la seule Versaille du Roi Soleil
Visite très intéressante. A travers cette ouvrière du XVIIe siécle, nous apprenons beaucoup sur la construction du canal du Midi. Je recommande
Nous avons beaucoup apprécié cette visite! Anna était au top Nous avons également beaucoup aimé le calme du lieu, le côté paisible des bords du canal, un peu hors des sentiers battus ; L’endroit est très paisibl. Et c’est très sympa de finir dans l’exceptionnelle librairieu de Somail. Une belle surprise. Un grand merci !