Canal du Rhône à Sète

©VNF

A bit of history... 

The Rhône-Sète Canal is a navigation canal that connects the Étang de Thau at the level of Sète and the Rhône to Beaucaire. Designed to facilitate trade between the Rhône Valley and the south-west of the Kingdom of France, the construction of the canal began in 1773.

The first commercial boats began to sail there in 1811 only on the Aigues-Mortes - Beaucaire part.

It was only in 1828 that the canal linked Sète to Beaucaire and also the Canal du Midi, so maritime trade could make its way to the West Coast without going through the Iberian Peninsula.

It will take 22 years longer than originally planned to build the entire canal and its cost will be 6 times higher than the original project !

A bit of nature...

The canal is 98 kilometers long, its width varies between 10 and 20 meters, and it is not always possible to cross paths ! Navigating the Rhône Canal in Sète is taking your time, the walking speed should not exceed 6km/h.

The crew therefore has plenty of time to appreciate the fauna and flora !

And that's good news, because the canal crosses numerous protected areas, to the north lie the Costières and to the south of the canal the Camargue Gardoise. It is a magnificent natural spectacle that is available to those who know how to take their time: the stars are the pink flamingo, the horse and the Camargue bull.

Stopover in Beaucaire 

Your descent from the Rhône Canal to Sète starts in Beaucaire, a city of Art and History. The port once connected the Rhône to the canal, today the passage is possible to Saint-Gilles.

However, the city remains focused on its port where it is good to have a drink, eat on the terrace or stroll along the quays. The historic center of the city is full of architectural treasures and its history is worth a visit !

More info on the port of Beaucaire

Stopover in Bellegarde

Next stop in Bellegarde, this pretty port in the Gard is worth a visit! You can sleep there, have lunch, rent a boat or go by bike to discover the good products of local producers !

More info on the port of Bellegarde

By boat or by bike !

Beaucaire is very fortunate to be at a crossroads ! The Via Rhôna (from Lake Geneva in Switzerland to the Mediterranean) and the Euromediterranean (runs along the entire Mediterranean from southern Italy to southern Spain) are superimposed and allow everyone to choose their next destination !

To continue the discovery of the Rhône Canal in Sète by pedal, from Beaucaire direction Bellegarde by the greenway, then head for Sète !