In the Pyrenees, the Roc of Aude is the spring of the 223 km long river Aude swelled by many other brooks.
- Streams from the Pyrenees,
- The Orbieu river from the Corbières,
- The Fresquel flows on the south slope of the Montagne Noire,
- Many brooks from the Minervois region .
The canal de la Robine flows in the old bed of the river whose course was realigned in 1686 in order to enable Narbonne to be connected to the Canal du Midi. In normal conditions the current is quite weak. But in times of spate it can become dangerously strong. Its flow is irregular, with some exceptionals peaks of 3.000 m3 per second.
Six centurys B.C , the river Aude used to run in a large bay covering the coastal plains. This gulf today has been silted up.
Crossing the Aude is tricky if the river is running high. Navigation is possible only on the 500 metres between Salleles d' Aude and Moussoulens.The Canal de Jonction was digged to join the main Canal to the river.
The depth of water is kept on the right level to allow the manoeuvre between Gailhousty and Moussoulens locks.
Take great care as the crossing is hazardous :
Leaving the Canal , you have to sail few metres upstream the river. Once you reach the overhead cable take a sharp bend and pass to the right of the island making sure that you don't get to close to the banks.
Past the Aude, you enter the Canal de la Robine which will take you to Narbonne.
Up to 1980 , during boatmen activities on the Canal bargees used this passage twice a week on their four days journey. They used to moor their embarkations to the overhead cable fighting against the currents. Before the beginning of motorisation in 1925, wooden boats sailed on the canal towed by horses and postillons passed on the Coursan bridge. Later on a ferry was in service to cross from one bank to another. Richelieu commissioned the Coursan bridge 's building to switch the old wooden bridge.
Built between 1685 and 1690 by the Languedoc state it was designed by Henri Gauthier. Formed of 5 main basket-handle arches only four of them can be seen today. The pillars of the stucture displays circular openings.
