Exposition : Le canal du Midi, un patrimoine à réinventer

An exhibition dedicated to the possible futures of the built heritage of the Canal du Midi, through the projects of architecture students and offering a perspective bridging memory and transition

Perspectives, uses and possibilities: architecture students' projects on the built heritage of the canal ► From 17 September to 11 December 2026 To mark the 30th anniversary of the inscription of the Canal du Midi as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the École nationale supérieure d'architecture de Toulouse, in partnership with CAUE 31, presents an exhibition dedicated to this exceptional heritage with a renewed perspective, bridging memory and prospect.

A 17th-century masterpiece designed by Pierre-Paul Riquet, the Canal du Midi constitutes a unique cultural landscape, marked by the richness of its structures and scenery.

Today, this heritage stands at a pivotal moment: certain sites, weakened or abandoned, raise questions about their future.

Through the work of students from the master's programme "Patrimoine(s) en projet" at ENSA Toulouse, the exhibition explores new avenues for reactivating and reinventing these places.

Conversion projects, usage scenarios and enhancement strategies: these proposals intertwine architectural, urban and landscape scales, with a constant focus on local resources and environmental challenges.

Plans, scale models, photographs and archival documents showcase a selection of 14 emblematic sites, from Toulouse to Marseillan, offering the public a fresh perspective on this territory.

Between past, present and future, this exhibition invites visitors to imagine the possible futures of the Canal du Midi. It is accompanied by a programme of events and may tour the Occitanie region.

30 pm on the following dates (no booking required): - Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026 (for the 2026 European Heritage Days) - Saturday 17 October 2026 (for the 2026 National Architecture Days) - Saturday 14 November 2026 - Saturday 5 December 2026.....

The "Patrimoine(s) en projet" workshops at Ensa Toulouse and this exhibition receive support from