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Origin and history

Balaruc's aqueduct is a vestige of a Gallo-Roman work of the first century, designed to feed the ancient spas of Balaruc-les-Bains. It linked the source of Issanka, located 5 km away in the commune of Poussan, to the thermal site, following an optimized route for flow and topography. The gentle slope (1 to 1.3 m/km) allowed a theoretical flow of 5,800 to 7,300 m3 of water per day, essential for the booming thermal installations.

The aqueduct was rediscovered in the 19th century during work to link the source of Issanka to Sète. Coins with the effigy of Emperor Claude, found near its mouth, confirmed its date in the first century. The remains, distributed between Balaruc-les-Bains and Balaruc-le-Vieux, were listed as historical monuments in 2008, highlighting their archaeological value as a witness to Roman civil engineering.

The route of the aqueduct followed the course of the Vene to the mill of Frescaly, crossed the cemetery of Balaruc-le-Vieux, then oblivious to the relief of the Priory before reaching Balaruc-les-Bains. Its water intake, 36 cm by 30 cm, and its moderate elevation (8-9 m) illustrate a remarkable hydraulic control. The excavations and studies, like those of Iouri Bermond, have documented its operation and its importance for the ancient agglomeration.

Today, the protected underground sections, located under cadastral plots, belong to the commune. Although partially preserved, the water supply remains a rare example of a Roman infrastructure preserved from its source to its terminus, providing light on the construction techniques and water needs of Gallo-Roman thermal cities.

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