Start: Toulouse Finish: Sète
You individually travel to the ‘pink’ Toulouse, cosmopolitan and cultural town where red bricks are a characteristic feature. Visit the lively centre with its many fine restaurants. Discover monumental treasures, like the Place du Capitol, St. Sernin’s Cathedral and the Couvent des Jacobins, a beautiful 13th century Dominican Monastery.
Leave town via the Paul Riquet bridge and cycle along the Canal du Midi with its characteristic barges. You enter the pastel coloured country of Lauragais. Take a break in Avignonet, the centre of the battles during the Albegenic crusades with lots of medieval remains, statues of crusaders and enormous churches. At the foot of the Montagne Noir you find the highest point in the canal. This is the Narouze watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. You go down to Castelnaudary, maybe to have a real authentic cassoulet later on.
Challenge: 64km / 40 mi, 100m ascent
Surrounded by the Montagne Noir in the east and the Pyrenees in the south west you cycle , via an original, thousand- year-old tow path to the river harbour of Bram. Bricks make way for stones, cornfields turn into vineyards. You pass age old villages and waterworks like Béteil and the Lalande lock that show Paul Riquet’s ingenuity. Also stop at the Cugarel mill, the Villepinte dam and the Rebenty aqueduct. Finally you reach Carcassonne, consisting of a medieval upper town and the Bastide St. Jean situated lower.
Challenge: 43km / 26,5 mi, 50m ascent
After fabulous Carcassonne go back to the peaceful quiet of the ‘Canal’ surrounded by imposing planes. Admire the bridge at Orbiel, the overflow of canal water at Argendouble and the 12th century church in the port of Trèbes. The very doors of this church, supported by 320 oak consoles, are worth a visit. If possible stop in the Gallic village near Marseillette and take a walk to Capendu with its Roman chapel. Through undulating vineyards you reach your destination.
Challenge: 42km / 26 mi, 25m ascent
After the lock of Argens you follow the winding path along the hillside to Le Somail. Take a break here in the old library. After that you cycle along the Canal de la Robine to Capestang with its collegiate church, already visible from afar. From the tower you see the sea and the 14th century castle nearby . ‘En route’ again you pass the Gallo-Roman remains: the village Poilhes la Romaine and the Oppidum d’Ensérune. Also admire the Malpas tunnel and the 9 locks of Foncérannes. They are evidence of the brilliance of the architect Paul Riquet, whose native village, the historic Béziers, is your destination today.
Challenge: 62km / 38,5mi, 75m ascent
Although the sea isn’t visible yet you can smell it. The landscape gets flatter and forms a mosaic of dunes, swamps and wide lagoons. It’s the habitat of the egrets that strut among horses and cattle. In this coastal region, looking like the Camargue, you pass the unique ‘Pont Bache du Libron’ and the round lock of Agde. In Agde with its ‘dark cathedral’ you cross the Hérault in the direction of the Thau lagoon. At the lighthouse in Onglous the Canal du Midi ends. In Marseillan you finally cycle along the beach to Sète and maybe you get a glimpse of the traditional water joust ‘Les Joutes.’
Challenge: 50km / 31mi, 25m ascent
Breakfast marks the end of your trip in the pleasant town of Sète, the biggest French fishing port, also well known for its beautiful beaches. This authentic town, full of pastel coloured houses with wrought iron balconies, is crossed by several connecting canals and the Thau Basin. In the harbour you find an abundance of fish restaurants. Everything as fresh as can be! A visit to the large covered market is really worth-wile. Here you can buy anything that has to do with food and drink and the products are displayed wonderfully.
All accommodations are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services.
We choose comfortable 2*/3* hotels or B&Bs where all rooms have private en-suite bathroom and every morning breakfast are included.
For more comfort, when it's possible we can upgrade the hotels with 3/4 * category (supplement applied).
Located in the centre of Toulouse, only a short walk from the Wilson and Capitole squares, Royal Wilson hotel provides services which will delight you in an elegant building behind a typical Toulouse facade.
Beautifully appointed interiors combine traditional and contemporary styles around the unique interior courtyard … an amazing architectural feature in the city centre.
Located on the Canal du Midi with terrace overlooking the water. Soundproofed rooms, with private bathroom, overlooking garden or canal. Free WIFI. Continental breakfast, with yoghurt, cheeses and French pastries. Restaurants can be found within 200 meters. Bicycle storage available, and for a surcharge, use of secure garage.
Ideally located at the foot of the fortified city of Carcassonne and located in an 18th century building. It offers rooms with views of the city towers or the garden. On sunny days, the continental breakfast is served on the terrace. Packed lunches can also be prepared for you. Very friendly staff.
This accommodation has 5 spacious de-luxe rooms, all with a view on our lush garden. All rooms have extra long beds (2.10 mtrs) and can be booked as double (one large bed) or twin
In the middle of the old center of Béziers looking over the Parc des Poètes with its ponds, swans and statues. Located 1 km from the cathedral and only 200 meters from the train station. Rooms are decorated in a contemporary style. Free WIFI. In the morning continental breakfast and free bicycle rack.
A 19th century building in typical Hausmann style with a very convenient location along the Royal Canal. Near the city center. A combination of historic charm and a range of facilities. Comfortable rooms with private bathroom, some with king size bed. Bar available.
The 4-star Hotel Mermoz offers a delightful environment inspired by Art Deco, conveniently located right in the centre of Toulouse, just a short walk from Matabiau mainline station, "Canal du Midi" and near Capitole Square.
Le Clos Fleuri is a place where you can feel right at home! The warm welcome, friendliness and peace and quiet ensure that you will enjoy your stay at the heart of the Pays Cathare. Come and stay in this charming hotel with a pool, ideally located in the Lauragais region between Toulouse and Carcassonne.
The comfort and services of a ***3-star hotel, a swimming pool, a full buffet breakfast. L'Aragon Hotel welcomes people looking for tranquillity and quality all the year round!
Set on the banks of the Canal du Midi, La Maison des Palmiers is a manor house built by the Saint Exupery family in the 1860’s. Conveniently placed in the centre of Homps between a waterside bar and restaurant, it has an idyllic Mediterranean garden to get away from the hustle and bustle of the quay. La Maison has five rooms for bed and breakfast to welcome you.
The Imperator Hotel has been completely redesigned to bring its spaces back to life. The mixture of Haussmannian charm and contemporary decoration gives a new lease of life to this historic place on the Allées Paul-Riquet in Béziers.
On the edge of the Royal Canal, this charming boutique hotel is your ideal destination for unforgettable holidays. Whether you opt for a view of Mont Saint-Clair or the calm of the rooms on the patio side, let yourself be charmed by the atmosphere of this superb building, which combines charm, comfort, calm and modernity. The rooms are carefully decorated in a unique style.
You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between May and October.
The closest airports to the Canal du Midi are Toulouse (TLS) and Béziers (BZR).
Arrival in Toulouse
Departure from Sète
At the end of your trip you can get the train from Sète, back to Toulouse or Béziers.
NOTE: If you're travelling with your own bicycle, you can take your bike on the train for free, but reservations are necessary on certain trains (www.scnf.com).
If you're travelling by car, it's advisable to park in Toulouse or Sète and take the train back. Ask us for parking facilities.
You will cycle some sections on dirt paths. For families with small children, we recommend to cycle the Canal du Garonne.
TREKKING BIKES
The rental includes: repair kit, lock, pump, front/back panniers and map carrier.
TANDEM
E-BIKES
GPS tracks are available on request.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 6:00pm (CET)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am – 6:00pm (CET)