Montech Water Slope

The small town of Montech lies on the Canal Latéral à la Garonne, which, when combined with the Canal du Midi, forms the Canal des Deux Mers. This provides a non-stop navigable connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. When the Garonne branch was constructed in the mid-19th century, the 2.5-kilometer section around Montech comprised five locks, inevitably slowing the progress of cargo barges.

The bypass solution conceived by engineer Jean Aubert was to create a 125-meter sloping channel, an inclined plane, through which barges could be moved by twin 1,000-horsepower diesel-electric locomotives. A gate located below the locomotives would shunt the wedge of water and the vessel in the desired direction — upwards or downwards.

The Montech water slope began operating in 1974, handling larger vessels; smaller boats continued to use the existing locks. However, the new system proved costly and high-maintenance, and was not exactly eco-friendly. Over the years, cargo traffic on the canal also steadily decreased. Following an engine failure in 2009, the water slope was quietly abandoned, and the locomotives gradually became decaying relics of the past.

In recent years, however, the local tourist board has refurbished the site in response to the rising numbers of slow tourism visitors to the canal. A permanent, free exhibition has been created on board a 40-meter-long barge named Altaïr, which is stationed in the water slope. The Toulouse-based Bakélite Agency was commissioned to create a graphic design palette inspired by transport signage and the work of the Memphis Group. The playful, modern color scheme provides a surprising contrast to the locomotives' old-school dials, switches, and buttons!