French canals

I was wondering about the French canal system in the 1700-1900 time range, particularly how extensive it was, and whether there was a possibility of commercial/naval connections between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Could it have offered an alternative to the sea route if that was blocked? Thanks to anybody who knows about it.
 
France had a very extensive number of canals. In fact many French were opposed to having railroads for a time because their canals were already so good. Of course, the canals wanted to avoid competition.
 
Could it have offered an alternative to the sea route if that was blocked? Thanks to anybody who knows about it.

Both the Canal de Garonne and Canal du Midi together form the "Canal of Two Seas", which does what you'd expect from the name. There's also a canal complex in northeastern France which connects the Seine and the Rhone.

To be clear, though (and I apologize if this wasn't part of the question): the canals in question are fairly small and narrow, and were generally traversed by special canal boats, and could not have transported most sea-going vessels.
 
Thanks - its for a TL where France expands to the Rhine, avoids the Revolution, and with Belgium a a client state, enters on the Industrial Revolution slightly before Britain (which has its own problems).
 
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