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Along Canal des Deux Mers
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Duration?
12-day Canal des Deux Mers Cycling Holiday
style :
Level :
Duration :
12 days
Comfort :
period:
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Code:
FRSB670
E-Bikes Cycling
price in double room from: € 1.420
12-day Canal des Deux Mers Cycling Holiday

12-day Canal des Deux Mers Cycling Holiday

Self-guided Bordeaux to Sète bike tour

  • Pleasant cycling through landscapes in Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenées, Languedoc-Rousillon
  • Traditional architecture: historic bastides, old farms and many petits and grands chateaux
  • Historical towns: Bordeaux, Marmande, Agen, Montauban, Toulouse, Castelnaudary, Carcassonne
  • Delicious regional gastronomy including hearty stews, apple and prune marmalade
  • Excellent wines from Bordeaux to Minervois
  • Short detours to historical monuments along the way
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Canal des Deux Mers cycling map
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ROUTE

Start: Bourdeux     Finish:Sète

Day 1: Arrival in Bordeaux
Day 2: From Bordeaux to Cadillac (47 km / 29 mi)
Day 3: From Cadillac to Meilhan-sur-Garonne / Marcellus (39 or 47km / 24 or 29 m )
Day 4: From Meilhan-sur-Garonne to Agen (70 km /43 mi)
Day 5: From Agen to Moissac (47 km / 29 mi)
Day 6: From Moissac to Toulouse (70 km / 43 mi)
Day 7: From Toulouse to Castelnaudary (64 km / 39,7 mi)
Day 8: From Castelnaudary to Carcassonne (43 km / 26,7 mi)
Day 9: From Carcassonne to Homps / Olonzac (42 km / 26 mi)
Day 10: From Homps / Olonzac to Béziers (62 km / 38,5 mi)
Day 11: From Béziers to Sète (50 km / 31 mi)
Day 12: End of the programme

Day 1:    Arrival in Bordeaux

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.  

Day 2:    From Bordeaux to Cadillac (47 km / 29 mi)

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

Day 3:    From Cadillac to Meilhan-sur-Garonne / Marcellus (39 or 47km / 24 or 29 m )

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

Day 4:    From Meilhan-sur-Garonne to Agen (70 km /43 mi)

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

Day 5:    From Agen to Moissac (47 km / 29 mi)

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

Day 6:    From Moissac to Toulouse (70 km / 43 mi)

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

Day 7:    From Toulouse to Castelnaudary (64 km / 39,7 mi)

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

Day 8:    From Castelnaudary to Carcassonne (43 km / 26,7 mi)

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

Day 9:    From Carcassonne to Homps / Olonzac (42 km / 26 mi)

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

Day 10:    From Homps / Olonzac to Béziers (62 km / 38,5 mi)

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

Day 11:    From Béziers to Sète (50 km / 31 mi)

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

Day 12:    End of the programme

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. 

STANDARD HOTELS

All hotels of this trip are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite.

You can find the standard hotels of this trip. If a hotel is fully booked, then we will book a similar one for you and inform you about the alternative booked. 

Extra nights:

You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way.

 Hotel De Normandie **** (Bordeaux)
Hotel De Normandie **** (Bordeaux)

In the historic center of Bordeaux, the Hotel de Normandie, located in an 18th-century stone building, combines authentic elegance with modern amenities.

www.hotel-de-normandie-bordeaux.com

Hotel Chateau de la Tour Cadillac
Hôtel Château de la Tour*** (Cadillac)

The Hotel-Restaurant of Château de la Tour is ideally located 30 minutes from Bordeaux, in the charming and atypical village of Cadillac. Our establishment is the dreamy bucolic stop on the way to holidays or on the famous Wine Route.

www.hotel-restaurant-chateaudelatour.com

B&B Font d'Uzas (Meilhan)
B&B Font d'Uzas (Meilhan)

The guesthouse of Font d'Uzas is a charming 18th-century guesthouse that has been completely restored. We offer spacious, bright, and well-equipped rooms, a large common area, a sunny terrace, and a garage for bicycles.

www.lefontduzas.fr

Hôtel Le Chapon Fin *** (Moissac)
Hôtel Le Chapon Fin *** (Moissac)

Hotel Le Chapon Fin has 24 rooms, including 2 rooms for people with reduced mobility. Here, you will find the charm and friendliness characteristic of the Southwest. With free public parking in front of the hotel.

www.hotelchaponfin.com

 Relais des îles (Agen)
Relais des îles (Agen)
Hôtel Albert 1er *** (Toulouse)
Hôtel Albert 1er *** (Toulouse)

This charming hotel provides privileged access to the historical, cultural, and gastronomic gems of Toulouse. Take advantage of our ideal location to also explore the picturesque banks of the Garonne River and its well-designed promenades.

www.hotel-albert1.com

Hôtel Le Clos Fleuri *** (Castelnaudary)
Hôtel Le Clos Fleuri *** (Castelnaudary)

The hotel in Castelnaudary features an outdoor swimming pool, a sun terrace, and a garden that will allow you to enjoy your vacation in the best conditions. The hotel comprises 30 cozy and functional air-conditioned rooms with a flat-screen TV, WiFi, desk, and more...

www.leclosfleuri.fr

Hotel du Pont Vieux*** (Carcassonne)
Hotel du Pont Vieux*** (Carcassonne)

 

Magnificent 18th-century building. The 19 air-conditioned rooms, renovated in a contemporary style, offer all the comfort and amenities. Enjoy the hotel terrace with a panoramic view of the ramparts or the shaded garden for relaxation.

www.hotelpontvieux.com

La Maison des Palmiers (Homps)
La Maison des Palmiers (Homps)

La Maison des Palmiers is a mansion built in the 1860s. It features an idyllic Mediterranean garden and has five rooms for bed and breakfast. However, by arrangement, it can also be rented in its entirety for self-catering accommodation.

www.maisonpalmiers.com

Hotel des Poètes** (Béziers)
Hotel des Poètes** (Béziers)

The Hôtel Des Poètes offers views of the Parc des Poètes. All rooms are decorated in a contemporary style and equipped with free Wi-Fi and television. A continental breakfast is served. A private and secure garage is available for our guests (additional charge).

www.hoteldespoetes.fr

Hotel l'Orque Bleue*** (Sète)
Hotel l'Orque Bleue*** (Sète)

Boutique hotel with stunning city views, room balconies overlooking the canal. The hotel offers charm, comfort, tranquility, and modernity. Close to typical neighborhoods, the 'orque bleue' allows you to enjoy the Mediterranean charm of the city, its gastronomy, beaches, and culture.

www.orquebleue.fr

PRACTICAL INFO

Departure any day of the week from 1st April to 31st October.

The closest airports to the Canal de Garonne are Bordeaux (BOD) and Toulouse (TLS)

From Paris, you can take the TGV (high speed train) to Bordeaux. 2h15). For time tables and further information look at the website of the SNCF.

On the end of your trip you can take a train from Monpellier (direct trains back to Toulouse, the journey takes 2 to 3 hours, you can add 2 to 3 hours for bordeaux). For time tables and further information look at the website of the SNCF or TER-SNCF.

From Paris to Bordeaux (approx. 6h - 590 km/367 mi). Acces to driving routes see the website ViaMichelin.

Parking informations on request

BATAVUS Zonar, 27 Speed

The bikes come with pannier, handlebar bag, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock

 

SPARTA Regular-E, 400wH

The bikes come with pannier, spare tube, tools, pump, helmet and lock

GPS tracks are available on request

INCLUDED

Included 

  • 11 nights in selected 2*/3* hotels
  • 11 breakfasts
  • Luggage transfers
  • Tourist city taxes
  • Digital detailed route notes and maps in English
  • Access to the trip in GUIBO, the digital guidebook and navigation
  • 24-hour telephone assistance

Not Included 

  • Travel insurance
  • Transport to first and from last accommodation
  • Trains, busses or any transport wherever necessary
  • Other Lunches & Dinners
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, additional transfers, etc
  • Hybrid bike rental

Extras

  • Single Room Supplement
  • Solo Traveller Supplement
  • Additional nights 
  • Transfer from the train station to your hotel
  • Transfer back from your last accommodation
  • Hybrid bike rental 
  • E-bike supplement 
  • Shipment of printed documents to the first accommodation
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