Canal de Garonne cycling tour

Travel by train, plane or car to Bordeaux, well-connected by public transport (tram or shuttle). Settle in at your comfortable centrally-located hotel then venture out to explore beautiful Bordeaux, an elegant town on the banks of the River Garonne whose very name evokes images of silky wines with a ruby red glow.

Jump on your bike and jet out of town on a fabulous bike path following the Garonne’s right bank. In Latresne you veer north to pick up a rails-to-trails route. Pause to peer at the ruinous yet inspiring Romanesque abbey of La Sauve, then turn southward and take quiet tarmac lanes all the way to Cadillac. Wander round the town and have a gander at the stately 18th-century chateau.

Challenge: 49 km / 30,5 mi, 150 m ascent

Once again you start off on winding inland lanes to avoid traffic on the busy road to Saint Macair. The route does involve a bit of ascent but you’re rewarded by a serene landscape right out of a painting: impressive estates, vast vineyards and tiny typically-French villages. Amble over to check out the Bastide de St Macair then bike across the Garonne to pick up ‘la Véloroute des Deux Mers’ - your cycling route ‘between two seas’. Accommodation tonight is at a charming chambre d'hôtes in Meilahn-sur-Garonne, or 8km further inland in Marcellus.

Challenge: 39 or 47 km / 25 or 29 mi, 200/350 m ascent

The Canal de la Garonne leads the way today as you cycle happily along on the flat, from Meilhan-sur-Garonne all the way to Sérignac. Feel thankful for the cool shade of ancient plane trees and take time for small detours along the way. Get in on an enormous secret at the church in Mas d'Agenais, where an authentic painting by Rembrandt hangs on display. Savour a cup of coffee on the beautiful village square in Damazan and stroll round its fortress, pastel-coloured houses and historic arcades. A stop in Tonneins is worth the 10-km detour for its lovely lanes, houses that virtually fall into the Garonne and a tempting array of restaurants, cafés and shops.

Challenge: 66 or 72 km / 41 or 44,5 mi, 50 m ascent

Set off to cycle a gentle stretch along the canal passing plane trees and plum orchards. Ten kilometres into the route, the canal intersects with an aqueduct providing a unique way to reach Agen with its pleasant city centre and renowned Museum of Arts. Carry on along the channel, sandwiched between a busy road and the railway, and pause in pretty Valence d'Agen with its curious round washhouses. The last peaceful section rolls through splendid scenery to historic Mossaic, a UNESCO world heritage site and important stop on the ‘Chemin de Saint Jacques’ pilgrimage route from Geneva. Step out for a tour of the town, stop at the 11th- century Abbey of St Pierre and sit in silence in its stunning cloister.

Challenge: 58 km / 36 mi, 30 m ascent

A beauty of a bridge, the Pont-Canal du Cacor, crosses the River Tarn to Castelsarrasin’s little port and 13th-century Abbey of Belleperche. Ancient plane trees provide welcome shade as you enjoy a pleasant stretch on a quiet rural track right into Toulouse city centre. Embrace the urban buzz as you ride into this hopping ‘pink town’ passing the Montech water slope, special twin Ponts-Jumeaux and junction of 3 canals. The tidy brick houses of Grisoles give way to the historic Castelnau-d’Estrétefonds. Option of getting the train there and doing the last 25km of this ‘Canal de la Garonne’ route by rail.

Challenge: 67 km / 41,5 mi, 75 m ascent

Your self-guided cycling holiday comes to an end after breakfast this morning.