The landscapes of the Canal du Midi over the Long term, economy and landscape[Los paisajes del Canal du Midi a largo plazo, economía y paisaje]

The creation of a strong and lasting landscape identity. The Canal du Midi is one of the oldest canals in Europe linking Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea. For the kingdom of France, it is the largest construction site of the 17th century from the work of the engineer Riquet and the improvements of Vauban, it represents a real action of regional planning by the layout of a waterway as a means of growing the local economy through rapid and efficient transport of raw materials, manufactured or agricultural products in the Modern era until the 1970s. Forestry, vegetable gardens and the precious water resource in a Mediterranean environment under the effect of water stress advantageously enhance the daily life of users/farmers. Since 1996, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This prestigious accreditation gives a considerable advantage to the territories served, which are confronted with mass tourism. A major environmental and social impact at the local level over the long term (water and timber/tourism-currency), national (transport axis) and international (image). The tourist activity changes the perceptions of this attractive and endangered territory. Old and new landscape temporalities. Territorial development and escalation of representations. Governance and its long-term management are uncertain.