Épanchoir de Foucaud

France, France

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Épanchoir de Foucaud is a small botanical garden located in Pennautier just outside Carcassonne in the Aude department of Languedoc-Roussillon, southern France, at 14 Chemin de la Fumade, 11000 Carcassonne.

The garden is set around an épanchoir (spillway) of the historic Canal du Midi, which serves to release excess water from the canal, and features a collection of Mediterranean plants in this unique waterside setting. 

Historically, the site was once a port with three locks that served as a key point for transporting travelers and products to Carcassonne, and later became the junction where the 17th-century Canal du Midi built by Riquet met the 19th-century canal constructed under Napoleon that brought the canal into Carcassonne.

Today, Épanchoir de Foucaud with its landscaped garden is a magical place accessible by boat from Carcassonne port via the Hélios and Lou Gabaret boats, where visitors can stop in the Occitan garden for lunch picnic, enjoy evening jazz concerts, or taste regional products every Thursday.