The nearly 350-year-old Canal du Midi, which stretches around 240 kilometers, is a technical masterpiece of engineering that earned a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. The canal connects the charming port town of Sète on the Mediterranean with Toulouse, the "pink city." It winds through the picturesque hilly landscape of the southern French regions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées, passing through sleepy villages and historically significant cities with impressive buildings from many centuries. Since the transport of goods on this artificial waterway has ceased, the Canal du Midi has become increasingly popular with leisure boaters, who peacefully cruise along the water in their motorboats or rented houseboats. Cyclists and long-distance hikers have also discovered the canal and make use of the shady towpaths.