Histoire du Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi, stretching from Toulouse to the Mediterranean and officially opened in 1682, stands as a testament to the engineering prowess of Pierre-Paul Riquet and François Andréossy. This historical account, penned by Antoine-François Andréossy, a descendant of François Andréossy and a member of the Académie des Sciences, delves into the terrain of southern France to elucidate the construction and significance of the canal. Notably, Andréossy challenges the conventional narrative by arguing that Riquet's role in the canal's creation has been overstated, with true credit belonging to his ancestor. The work includes original documents from the canal's construction period and an appendix detailing its route, offering a comprehensive perspective on this engineering marvel. First published in 1800, with subsequent editions planned but never completed, this reissued edition provides valuable insights into the historical context and engineering achievements of the Canal du Midi.

Andréossy, A.-F. (2014). Histoire du Canal du Midi. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9781107447233