One of the most memorable sites of the Canal du Midi is the 9 Locks of Fonséranes, located near Beziers. This water staircase was conceived and built by local architect Pierre-Paul Riquet as a gift to his hometown of Beziers. The 9 Locks of Fonséranes are one of the most appreciated sites of the Occitanie region, together with the Gard bridge and the medieval city of Carcassonne. The height difference between the hill and the river Orb being 82 feet (25 m), eight locks were built over almost 1 000 feet (315 m) to allow for the passage of the barges.