12-day Canal des Deux Mers Cycling Holiday

Today you travel to Bordeaux by train, plane or car and settle in at your comfortable centrally-located hotel. Easy connections using public transport (tram or shuttle) are available. Be sure to get there early to leave time to explore Bordeaux, a very pleasant town on the banks of the River Garonne.  

Your first route takes you quickly out of town, via a cycling path on the right bank of the Garonne. In Latresne you turn north, to follow a converted railway. At the Romanesque abbey in La Sauve you turn southward on quiet tarmac lanes to reach the town of Cadillac and your hotel, situated below the impressive 18th-century "Chateau de Cadillac".

Challenge:46.8km, 367m ascent, 362m descent

You start off again on winding inland lanes, to avoid the busy road between Cadillac and Saint Macair. You will have to do some ascents, but a rewarding landscape awaits: impressive estates, vineyards and tiny typically-French villages. After a visit to the Bastide de St Macair, you cross the Garonne to the beginning of "la véloroute des Deux Mers" - your cycling route "between two seas". Accommodation tonight at a charming chambre d'hôtes in Meilhan-sur-Garonne, or a bit further inland in Marcellus.

Challenge: 45km, 794m ascent, 748m descent

Today you follow the Canal de la Garonne, cycling on the flat from Meilhan-sur-Garonne all the way to Agen. Enjoy the shade of ancient plane trees and take time to make small detours along the way. Savour a cup of coffee on the beautiful village square in Damazan, with its fortress and historic arcades. Another stop could be Tonneins, worth the 10km detour for its lovely square on the banks of the Garonne and a wide choice of restaurants, cafés and shops.

Challenge: 69.8km,  385m ascent, 387m descent

After leaving the city of Agen, you will continue along the canal to Valence d'Agen, this is another beautiful town, with curious round washhouses. Your last section is peaceful once again, as you fully enjoy the scenery on your way to the historic town of Mossaic, a UNESCO world heritage site and important stop on the "Chemin de Saint Jacques" coming in from Geneva, with the 11th-century Abbey of St Pierre and its stunning cloister.

Challenge: 47.1 km, 277m ascent, 258m descent

Via the beautiful Pont-Canal du Cacor you cross the river Tarn and reach Castelsarrasin with its small port and 13th century Abbey of Belleperche. In the shade of old planes you now follow an uninterrupted, quiet track to the centre of Toulouse. The last km short of this ‘pink’ town are somewhat noisier. There’s a lot to see on the way: the water slope in Montech, the special Ponts-Jumeaux and the junction of 3 canals. After Grisoles with its brick houses you reach the historic Castelnau-d’Estrétefonds. From here you can, if you wish, cover the last 25 km of this ‘Canal de la Garonne’ route by train.

Challenge: 69.7km, 271m ascent, 189m descent

Leave town via the Paul Riquet bridge and cycle along the Canal du Midi, with its typical river barges. You cycle into the pastel coloured country of Lauragais and can stop for a break in Avignonet, with its many medieval remains. At the foot of the Montagne Noire you find the highest point of the canal (190 m). This is the Narouze watershed between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. You go down to Castelnaudary maybe to enjoy an authentic’ cassoulet’ later on.

Challenge: 64km, 100m ascent

Surrounded by The Montagne Noire in the east and the Pyrenees in the south west you cycle via an original, thousand- year-old tow path, to the river port of Bram. Brick gives way to stones and cornfields to vineyards. You pass age old villages and waterworks that are evidence of Paul Riquet’s ingenuity, such as the Bétel and Lalande lock. Finally you reach Carcassonne, consisting of the medieval upper town (Unesco heritage) and the Bastide Saint-Jean situated somewhat lower.

Challenge: 43km, 50m ascent

After fabulous Carcassonne, you go back to the peaceful quiet of the canal surrounded by impressive sycamores/planes. Admire the bridge at Orbiel, the overflow for excess canal water in Argendouble and the 12th cent church in the river port of Trèbes. The very doors of this church, supported by 320 oak consoles, are worth a visit. If you can, stop in the Gallic village near Marseillette and take a walk to Capendu with its Roman chapel. Through undulating wine country, you reach your destination, Olonzac.

Challenge: 42km, 25m ascent

Follow, after the lock of Argens on the way to Le Somail a winding track along the hillside. Take a break here in the old library. Then cycle along the Canal de la Robine to Capestang with its collegiate church already visible from afar. Here from the tower you see the sea and the nearby 14th cent castle. ’En route’ again you pass Gallo-Roman remains and can also admire the Malpas tunnel and the nine Foncérannes Locks before reachin Béziers.

Challenge: 62km, 75m ascent

Although the sea isn’t visible yet you can smell it. The landscape becomes flatter and it’s a mosaic of dunes, swamps and wide lagoons. It’s the habitat of the egret, trotting among horses and cattle. In this coastal region, you pass the unique ‘Pont bâche du Libron’ and the Agde Round Lock. In Agde with its ‘dark’ cathedral you cross the Hérault heading for the Thau Lagoon. At the lighthouse of Onglous the canal du midi ends. In Marseillan you finally cycle along the beach to Sète and you may catch a glimpse of the traditional water joust ‘Les Joutes’.

Challenge: 50km, 25m ascent

After breakfast, your trip ends in pleasant Sète, the biggest French fishing port on the Mediterranean coast, also known for its beautiful beaches. In the port, you find an abundance of fish restaurants. Everything as fresh as can be. A visit to the covered market is also worth your while.