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Origin and history

The Rédoub basin of Toulouse, built between 1834 and 1840 by Urban Maguès, was originally intended for the repair of the boats of the Canal du Midi. Initially, the workshops were located near the ports Saint-Etienne and Saint-Sauveur, but their activity disrupted river traffic. To relieve congestion, four holds and workshops were built at the top of the ladies' driveway, allowing the central repair and manufacture of the equipment needed to maintain the canal.

In 1841, a 30-metre-long covered hold, typical of Toulouse architecture, was added to allow work all year round, despite the weather. This hangar, with curved crossbow frame, was initially covered with zinc before being covered with tiles. The site, organized around a central basin connected to the canal by a rolling bridge, also included housing for master builders, workshops and shops on both sides of the portal.

Of the four original holds, three remain today, including a recreuse in the 20th century. Although generally closed to the public, the basin remains a symbol of Toulouse's riveric activity and a unique testimony of the industrial heritage linked to the Canal du Midi, from Sète to Bordeaux. It has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1989, protecting its covered shed of 1843, its covered station of 1855 and the basin itself.

The site was originally managed by two builders, whose houses and workshops were integrated into the architectural complex. The floating tanks, which were later replaced by door-boats, were used to control the inlet of water into the holds. Today, the waterways of France still manufacture the canal maintenance equipment, thus perpetuating a centuries-old tradition.

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