Welcome to the Visitor Centre

“Le Coche d’eau”, the former inn where sailors and horses slept before going up or down the 9 Locks, has been renamed the Site Centre.

This is where visitors arrive at the site entrance. It is the starting point for all tours and activities.

On-site:

  • Our Tourist Information centre: the team of travel advisors will give you a warm welcome, tell you about not only the Canal du Midi but also Béziers Méditerranée from north to south and east to west: Seaside, Vineyards and Town.
  • The immersive cinema: The Fonseranes 9 Locks and Canal du Midi as if you were “inside”! Your host, the archivist, guides you deep into the Canal du Midi to meet the people who built the Canal and its 328 structures.
    Visitor Centre 1st floor (lift for disabled visitors only).
    Open during Visitor Centre opening times

Prices immersive cinema

Adult rate 3 €
Child rate 2 €

Free for under 6s.

Group rate: 2 € (min. 19 people)

  • Tickets and bookings: guided tours, concerts, shows.
  • Stamps and bus tickets for sale.
  • Audioguide hire: French, English, German, Spanish. Our audioguides introduce you to the site in 14 detailed stages. You’ll know the Fonseranes 9 Locks like the back of your hand.
    Prices: One free audioguide when you show your car park ticket. Additional audioguide rental: 2 €
  • Gift shop: local wine, Fonseranes 9 Locks souvenirs, local produce, confectionery, books and more.

In winter at Fonseranes Tourist Information: coffee (espresso, decaf lungo or lungo guatemala) for just 1 €.

Visitor centre’s opening hours

From 26 February to 30 June
Samedi Open from 10h to 18h
Dimanche Open from 10h to 18h
Vendredi Open from 10h to 18h
Jeudi Open from 10h to 18h
Mercredi Open from 10h to 18h
Mardi Open from 10h to 18h
Lundi Open from 10h to 18h
L’établissement est fermé durant cette période
From 01 July to 31 August
Samedi Open from 10h to 19h
Dimanche Open from 10h to 19h
Vendredi Open from 10h to 19h
Jeudi Open from 10h to 19h
Mercredi Open from 10h to 19h
Mardi Open from 10h to 19h
Lundi Open from 10h to 19h
L’établissement est fermé durant cette période
From 01 September to 31 October
Samedi Open from 10h to 18h
Dimanche Open from 10h to 18h
Vendredi Open from 10h to 18h
Jeudi Open from 10h to 18h
Mercredi Open from 10h to 18h
Mardi Open from 10h to 18h
Lundi Open from 10h to 18h
L’établissement est fermé durant cette période
From 01 November to 20 December
Dimanche Open from 10h to 13h and to 14h to 17h
Samedi Open from 10h to 13h and to 14h to 17h
L’établissement est fermé durant cette période
From 21 December to 31 December
Samedi Open from 10h to 13h and to 14h to 17h
Dimanche Open from 10h to 13h and to 14h to 17h
Vendredi Open from 10h to 13h and to 14h to 17h
Jeudi Open from 10h to 13h and to 14h to 17h
Mercredi Open from 10h to 13h and to 14h to 17h
Mardi Open from 10h to 13h and to 14h to 17h
Lundi Open from 10h to 13h and to 14h to 17h
L’établissement est fermé durant cette période

Le 9, the Fonseranes 9 Locks restaurant

The Visitor Centre is home to a top new restaurant: LE 9.

With its fabulous glass roof in the shape of a ship’s bow, it overlooks the Orb plain and Béziers acropolis on one side and the Fonseranes rise locks on the other: it is called Le 9, the 9 Locks Restaurant.
Whether you’re inside or on the 2 terraces, you’ll have mouth-watering views of the Béziers area.

Le 9 is also the first restaurant to open its kitchen and tables in Fonseranes all year. What’s on the menu? A “bistronomy” menu and local wine.
It seats 54 persons inside and 130 outside.

LE 9, THE 9 LOCKS RESTAURANT

Restauration

LE 9, THE 9 LOCKS RESTAURANT

BEZIERS

The Paul Riquet hall

The Paul Riquet hall welcomes groups service provider desks such as cruises, the touristic train, electric boat hire, etc.

The Paul Riquet hall is open daily from April 1st to October 31st.