The city of Béziers in the department of Herault is practically crossed by the Orb River which made problematic the passage of the Canal du Midi on its way to the Mediterranean sea. It is around 1857 that the idea of building a canal-bridge sprung in the minds of the architects in charge of the creation of the canal. This orb canal bridge still allows the crossing of barges and other boats, touristic or otherwise, from one side of the Orb to the other. One more obstacle successfully passed on their way to the surroundings of Montpellier.