Starting in Toulouse, the Canal du Midi is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. It flows to the seas through a green ravine, crossing villages and historical estates like Carcassonne, Béziers, and Agde. You’ll discover the story of a country shaped by men through nature and architecture. This mostly flat route can be done in either direction. You can choose to start wherever suits you best.
- You will cycle through a variety of landscapes, offering stunning views
- You get to visit interesting and beautiful cities: Toulouse, Carcassonne, Bézier
- The route that you will be cycling does not pose any particular difficult and the roads are without traffic
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Cycling the Canal du Midi - 6 nights | 5 stages
Travel Dates 2023
Daily from April 15th to October 15th 2023
Day 1 - Arrival in Toulouse
You will arrive in Toulouse and check-in at your hotel.
Night in B&B in a 3* hotel or a 4* hotel for the upgraded version.
Day 2 - Toulouse – Castelnaudary (60 km)
You will take the cycle lane in the heart of Toulouse. This cycle path is in good condition, and is made of asphalt. You will cross through the Lauragis countryside, following a path which has been used for centuries, until you reach Naurouze. Upon arrival to Naurouze you will find yourself at the highest point along the canal - 189m! This is also the water parting line between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterrannean Sea. You will then reach Castelnaudary, a city which has played an important role in the history of Catharism.
Night in B&B in a 2* hotel or a 3* hotel for the upgraded version.
Day 3 - Castelnaudary – Carcassonne (42 km)
The locks will now be crossed downstream instead of upstream. You will cross beautiful landscapes between Castelnaudary and Carcassonne. You’ll cross a lot of locks and bridges such as the Treboul, Mezeran, Espitalt and Rebenty aqueducts, the villages of Ste Eulalie (700m from the canal and its Romanesque bell tower), Pennautier, a fortified village and its 17th century castle and finally the beautiful Carcassonne, an amazing city that it is worth spending the time to explore!
Night in B&B in a 3* hotel or a 4* hotel for the upgraded version.
Day 4 - Carcassonne – Homps or la Redorte (42 km to Homps or 37 km to La Redorte)
The terrain is flat, but the path is sometimes in bad shape. However, a hybrid bike is capable of overcoming the obstacles that this might otherwise pose. The route passes by the Roman bridge of Trèbes, the village of Puicheri, Marseilette and lastly, you will come to the Port Homps.
Night in a guesthouse in Homps or La Redote- B&B
Day 5 - Homps (or la Redorte) – Capestang (42 km or 48 km)
The canal runs along the Aude, passing by Argens in Minervois and the impressive turrets of its castle. The bridge of Cal, the Sommail, is one the most pleasant stretches that is to be found along the canal. The bridge of Argeliers, a medieval village, a castle and a fortified church will also be seen along the route. You will then arirve in Capestang, a city dominated by the gothic collegiate, St Etienne.
Night in a guesthouse - B&B.
Day 6 - Capestang – Agde (50 km) + Agde - Béziers (by train)
You will follow the canal up to Béziers by the 7 locks of Fonserannes, and then go ahead to the Greek city of Agde and then to the Grau d’Adge to reach the sea! You will then go back to Béziers by train.
Night in Beziers in B&B in a 2* hotel or a 4* hotel for the upgraded version.
Day 7 - Béziers
End of the tour after breakfast.
NOTE: Sometimes we have to make slight modifications to the route that is given here. This can happen for a variety of reasons such as hotels being fully booked or because there are obstructions, damages or other problems along the paths. Trust us, any changes that are made in your best interest: for your comfort, safety and enjoyment!
Cycling the Canal du Midi - 6 nights | 5 stages
Tour profile:
Average to good cyclist. The distance travelled ranges from 42 km to 60 km per day, with about 3 to 5 hours of cycling per day. Some stages along the route might be a bit rough, which is why we advise you against using bikes with small wheels. Hybrid bikes would be perfect for this terrain.
Tour Travel Pack:
Selfguided tour, without a guide; we provide you with a digital travel file that includes: access to our smartphone guide application, the list of your accommodations, any vouchers and all the information you need to make your stay a success. If you wish, we can provide you with a paper version of the travel pack at your home with maps, topo guide and travel folder, for an additional fee of 35 € per travel pack. For all requests for a paper travel pack: the file will be available at the first hotel of your stay. There is no welcome meeting at the departure, you will find your travel pack at the first accommodation.
Luggage Transfers:
You only carry your daily belongings in a small bag or saddle bag. You’ll get your luggage at your hotel in the evening: your luggage is transported by taxi. We ask you to limit your luggage to 1 bag per person, 20kg max.
Hotel descriptions:
In France, more and more hotels and guest houses are refusing to take part in the star-rating system, even establishments which were classified a year or two ago are now choosing to not take part. This doesn’t mean that they are of a lesser quality, in fact far from it, a lot of these guest houses provide you with lovely rooms. If we indicate that an accommodation is ‘3* or equivalent to’ this means that the establishment has chosen not to receive an official classification, but we believe the level of comfort provided is equal to that of a 3* establishment.
Accommodation:
Standart Version: In Bed & Breakfast in a double bedroom, in 2* and 3* hotels, or in guesthouses with the same level of comfort.
Upgraded Version: In Bed & Breakfast in a double bedroom, in 3* and 4* hotels, or in guesthouses with the same level of comfort.
Arrival and parking:
Arrival by plane: International airport of Toulouse Blagnac, International airport of Béziers or International airport of Montpellier.
Arriving by train: Train station in Toulouse, Béziers, Agde, Montpellier.
Arrival by car / parking: Parking in Toulouse near the hotel (about € 95 for 7 days, to be paid on the spot).
Cycling the Canal du Midi - 6 nights | 5 stages
Travel Dates 2023:
Daily from April 15th to October 15th, 2023
- The high season is from May to end of September.
PRICES 2023 (per person) |
Standard version | Upgraded version |
Solo traveller |
1.180 € | 1.295 € |
2 and 3 people | 785 € | 895 € |
4 and 5 people | 725 € | 840 € |
6 people and more | 695 € | 820 € |
Single room supplement | 350 € | 395 € |
Third person in your room |
younger than 12 years old = 30% discount older than 12 years old = 20% discount |
|
Hybrid Rental Bike | 190 € | |
Electrical Rental Bike | 280 € | |
Travel Pack in paper | 35 € |
Included Services:
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Accommodation in double rooms: B&B
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Luggage transfers
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Digital Travel pack
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Tourist taxes
Not Included:
- Drinks
- Lunches and Dinners
- Bike rental
- Travel pack paper version
- Insurances
- The train between Adge and Béziers
- Visits to tourist attractions
- Anything which is not listed under "Included Services"
Extra Nights: on request
Bicycle rental:
If you choose to rent a bike, you will receive it at your 1st hotel on day 2 before 10AM. At the end of the trip on day 6, you simply leave your bike at the hotel and inform the reception of the hotel. We will take care of the bike from that moment onwards.
Equipment included:
- Front Ortlieb bag with a locker, a pump, a bomb anti puncture
- Rear bag Ortlieb (20L.) and a helmet