From the late Middle Ages onwards, the Dordogne River was southern Périgord’s main communication channel and Lalinde Canal, built between 1838 and 1843, was designed to improve navigation. Locks, lock houses, reservoirs, aqueducts and, in particular, the Tuilières steps, were included in the construction the of the canal, from Mauzac to Tuilières.
The arrival of rail and road saw the decline of river transport and the canal become obsolete but it is gradually regaining importance and is now especially prized as beautiful place for walking and fishing.

The old lock house at Lalinde has been transformed into a mountain-biking centre and provides the starting point for cyclists and ramblers who have over 200km of sign-posted footpaths to explore the Lindois ‘Pays’.

St Capraise’s canal bridge and the Tuilières locks and site are included on a ‘discovery’ footpath.
Created in the 1990’s, Tuilières’ highly original fish lift is open to the public. It is situated on a level with the hydroelectric dam and enables migratory fish such as salmon, which had disappeared from the Dordogne since the construction of dams, to return upstream to their place of birth.

Since 1987 the fish ladder functions in the same way at Mauzac. A vast reservoir on a level with the EDF (Electricity Board) dam is used for fishing, sailing, rowing and canoeing/kayaking. The lake’s banks have been planted with walkers in mind. The ferryman’s house has been transformed into an exhibition centre decorated with old photographs and postcards of Mauzac; the first floor houses an EDF exhibition on hydroelectric progress and the Fishing & Hunting Federation have mounted an exhibition about wildlife in this environment.