{{short description|Body of open water along the Canal du Midi}} {{About|the Canal du Midi}} {{coord|43.31389|N|1.95673|E|type:landmark_region:FR|display=title}} thumb|right|190px|Castelnaudary's Grand Bassin
The '''Grand Bassin''' is the largest body of open water along the Canal du Midi. It is in Castelnaudary, France and covers some {{convert|7|ha|acre|abbr=off}}. Once a scene of intense economic activity, it is now a major pleasure port used by tourist craft. It holds the water reserve for the four locks of Saint-Roche.
Official opening ceremonies for the Canal du Midi were held here on 19 May 1681.<ref name='rolt'>{{cite book | last = Rolt | first = L. T. C. | author-link = L. T. C. Rolt | title = From Sea to Sea | publisher = Ohio University Press | date = 1973 | isbn = 9780713904710}}</ref>
The basin is exposed to considerable winds, historically even blowing horses and men into the water. A windbreak called Cybele Island ({{langx|fr|Ile de la Cybelle}}) was built in 1754.<ref name='cdmcom'>{{cite web |title=CanalduMidi.com Castelnaudary site (translated) |url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.canaldumidi.com/Lauragais/Castelnaudary/Castelnaudary.php&ei=RhfeStzIJ4nTlAen9oSoAw&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=8&ct=result&ved=0CCUQ7gEwBw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgrand%2Bbassin%2BCastelnaudary%26hl%3Den |access-date=15 October 2009}}</ref><ref name='casteltour'>{{cite web |title=Castelnaudary Tourisme (translated) | url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.castelnaudary-tourisme.com/html/1-15211-Castelnaudary-et-son-Grand-Bassin.php&ei=RhfeStzIJ4nTlAen9oSoAw&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=3&ct=result&ved=0CBIQ7gEwAg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgrand%2Bbassin%2BCastelnaudary%26hl%3Den |access-date=15 October 2009}}</ref><ref name='hugh'>{{cite book | last = McKnight | first = Hugh | title = Cruising French Waterways, 4th Edition | publisher = Sheridan House| date = 2005 | pages =264 | isbn = 9781574092103}}</ref><ref name='guide'>{{cite book | last = Kiessler | first = Bernd-Wilfried | title = The Canal du Midi A Cruiser's Guide | publisher = Adlard Coles Nautical | date = 2009 | isbn = 978-1-4081-1273-1 }}</ref>
==Gallery== <gallery> Image:Castelnaudary canal midi.jpg|Grand Bassin at Castelnaudary. Image:Canal du Midi Schleussen bei Castelnaudary.jpg | Four-step locks at Castelnaudary. </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090716005607/http://www.dopplr.com/place/fr/castelnaudary/explore/grand-bassin Map] *[https://www.panoramio.com/photo/15250139 Photo and map]
Category:Canal du Midi