Canal de Brienne, Toulouse

Canal de Brienne, also known as the Canal de Saint-Pierre, is a historic waterway located in the heart of Toulouse, within the Midi-Pyrénées region of France. This canal serves as a crucial connector, linking the Garonne River with both the Canal du Midi and the Canal de Garonne. It extends over a relatively short distance of 1,560 meters (approximately 0.97 miles) from Bazacle on the Garonne to its terminal basin at the junction with the Canal du Midi, near the notable Ponts Jumeaux or "twin bridges."

The canal features two locks, with the Ecluse Saint-Pierre opening directly onto the Garonne, while the lock closer to the Canal du Midi typically remains open. This arrangement facilitates navigation and water management between the interconnected waterways.

Inaugurated on April 14, 1776, the Canal de Brienne was initially designed to transport water from the Garonne to the Canal latéral à la Garonne and to enable a navigable route to the port de la Daurade, which is centrally located on the Garonne in Toulouse. This strategic function highlights the canal's importance in supporting both the local infrastructure and the regional economy during its time.

The canal's name pays homage to Etienne Charles de Loménie de Brienne, who was the Archbishop of Toulouse from 1727 to 1794. His contributions to the region's development during the Enlightenment period are memorialized through this canal, marking a significant chapter in the architectural and cultural heritage of Toulouse.