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The Montady pond is a former pond, drained during the Middle Ages, located in the western part of the French department of Hérault, between Béziers and Narbonne. Thanks to drainage canals, the water is channeled towards a central collector, which explains the star-shaped layout of the fields and vineyards. This canal system dates back to the 13th century. Sixty drainage ditches converge at the circular ditch, called the Redondel, in the center of the former pond. The water is then carried away by a counter-sloping ditch towards the Capestang pond and through a tunnel under the Ensérune hill and the Malpas tunnel. The tunnel is located at a depth of 29.5 meters below the Malpas pass and 16 meters below the Canal du Midi tunnel. The pond is visible from the Montady tower, a remnant of the former 12th-century castle, and from the top of the hill, the Ensérune oppidum. Heavy rainfall, like that at the end of October 2019, can cause it to reappear. (Wikipedia)

Always nice.

Also called the Chapelle Saint-Roch, the Saint-Roch Chapel is a small chapel open only during organized tours. A large window allows you to observe the interior, complete with paintings.

A beautiful path along the Canal du Midi. Sometimes a bit challenging, but always worth it.

The Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours chapel was built at the end of the 19th century, at the top of a pech, in a small pine wood, a haven of peace which overlooks the town of Maureilhan. This chapel is attached to the Notre Dame des Vignes parish – dependent on the diocese of Montpellier. It was following a cholera epidemic which struck many inhabitants of the region from 1857 to 1858 that construction was launched. This is how the local population strengthened their belief in God in an attempt to moderate their pain following the numerous losses suffered. Indeed, this epidemic coming from India, spread by water, wreaked great havoc in Hérault. The village will provide the labor and its teams, and donations from the local population made it possible to finance the work. Finally, a small cave intended for the worship of the Virgin Mary was built below the chapel. The atmosphere and calm that reigns in these places are conducive to meditation.

This pretty village is located on the edge of the Canal du Midi, not far from Béziers. Its banks, its marina and its castle give it an atypical charm.

Imposing ship tunnel on the Canal du Midi.

Canal tunnel and view of the former pond landscape.