Canal du Midi Cycling Holiday

7 days

Duration

Easy

Difficulty

France

Location

April-October

Availability

Pure tranquillity as you cycle alongside the calm waters of the Canal du Midi

Cycling through some of the prettiest scenery in southwest France

The dramatic medieval walled city of Carcassonne, perched high on a rocky hilltop

The beautiful town of Béziers, with its 2,000-year-old Roman bridge and cathedral

Finish up with some fresh seafood by the azure blue Mediterranean Sea in Sète

Canal du Midi self-guided cycling holiday

Cycle from the ‘pink city’ of Toulouse to the glistening Mediterranean Sea along Europe’s most beautiful canal; the stunning Canal du Midi. The stresses of everyday life will seem a million miles away as you cycle along the tranquil waterway, lined with centuries-old trees.

There is much to see along the way, from antique barges and beautiful stone bridges to medieval villages and Romanesque cathedrals. Among the highlights are the spectacular medieval walled city of Carcassonne.

The landscape gradually changes from rolling hills to vineyards, until you finally reach the marshes, sand dunes and lagoons of the Mediterranean coast. Your trip comes to an end by the azure blue sea, in the charming fishing port of Sète.

7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS

€720 per person sharing*

*Discounts available for groups of 3 or more. Please enquire for prices
*A single supplement charge will apply for solo cyclists

BIKE RENTAL

If you don’t bring your own, you can rent a bicycle from us. Our touring bikes are have a minimum of 21-speed gears. It is also possible to rent an electric bike.

You will receive your rental bike at the start of your holiday and return it before you go home. We deliver the bicycle at your first accommodation (evening of day 1 or morning of day 2) and pick it up from your last accommodation after your last cycling day. You just need to give us your body length, so that you receive the correct bike size, and we take care of everything else.

PRICES:

Hybrid bike: €155 (€31 x 5 days)
E-bike: €235 (€47 x 5 days)

Bicycles are equipped as follows:

• Helmet (on request)
• Padlock
• Luggage rack with at least one waterproof side bag
• Handlebar bag for your roadbook/maps
• Water bottle holder
• Repair kit
• Odometer
• GPS (on request)

ACCOMMODATION

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. The standard hotels of this trip are listed below. In case any hotels are unavailable, we will book one of a similar standard and inform you of the change. You can also book additional nights at any of the hotels along the way.

For more comfort, we can upgrade the hotels to 3/4 * category on request (supplement applies, please enquire for details and prices).

AVAILABILITY

You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between April 15^th and October 15^th.

INCLUDED

6 nights in /* hotels, with en-suite bathrooms
6 breakfasts
Luggage transport to the next hotel (1 piece per person, max. 20 kilos)
Detailed route notes and maps with tracks on
Tourist taxes
Pre-departure information pack
24/7 telephone support

NOT INCLUDED

Flights & travel insurance
Lunches or dinners
Trains or ferries
Anything else not mentioned in the Included section

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Bike rental
Upgrade to */** hotels
Single room supplement

Day 1: Arrival in Toulouse

Known as ‘La Ville Rose’ (the pink city), due to its red brick buildings and ochre rooftops, Toulouse is a lively university town. Its charming Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter) contains many fine restaurants and architectural treasures, including the Place du Capitol, St. Sernin’s Cathedral and the Couvent des Jacobins; a beautiful 13^th century Dominican Monastery.

Overnight: Toulouse

Day 2: Cycle from Toulouse to Castelnaudary

Distance: 64 km

Leave Toulouse via the Paul Riquet bridge and follow the cycle path along the tree-lined Canal du Midi. You will pass numerous characteristic barges before entering the rolling countryside of the Lauragais. Take a break in Avignonet, scene of numerous battles during the Albegenic crusades. Here you will find lots of medieval remains and statues of crusaders, as well as the magnificent gothic church of Notre-Dame des Miracles.

At the foot of the Montagne Noir, you reach the highest point of the canal. This is the Narouze watershed, between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. From here, you descend to to Castelnaudary, where you will spend the night. Why not take the opportunity to try a real authentic cassoulet!

Overnight: Castelnaudary

Day 3: Cycle from Castelnaudary to Carcassonne

Distance: 43 km

Surrounded by the Montagne Noir in the east and the Pyrenees in the south-west, you cycle along an original, thousand- year-old tow path to the river harbour of Bram. The surrounding landscape changes from cornfields to vineyards. You pass centuries-old villages and waterworks like Béteil and the Lalande lock. You will pass the Cugarel mill, the Villepinte dam and the Rebenty aqueduct, before the fairytale medieval castle of Carcassone finally comes into view, dramatically perched on a rocky hilltop. Staying here for the night allows you to explore the medieval citadel in peace, after the tourist day-trippers have left.

Overnight: Carcassone

Day 4: Cycle from Carcassonne to Homps

Distance: 42 km

Leaving fabulous Carcassonne behind, you return to the peaceful tranquillity of the canal, surrounded by imposing plane trees. Admire the bridge at Orbiel and the 12^th century church in the port of Trèbes. It is worth making a stop in the Gallic village near Marseillette and taking a walk to Capendu to visit its Roman chapel. Continue through undulating vineyards to the charming village of Homps.

Overnight: Homps

Day 5: Cycle from Homps to Béziers

Distance: 62 km

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 magnificent collegiate church, already visible from afar. From its bell tower you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside.

Getting back on your bike, you continue past the Gallo-Roman remains of the village of Poilhes la Romaine and the Oppidum d’Ensérune. You can also admire the Malpas tunnel and the 9 locks of Foncérannes. They are evidence of the brilliance of the architect Paul Riquet, the man responsible for the construction of the Canal du Midi. Monsieur Riquet’s native town – the historic Béziers – is your destination today.

Overnight: Béziers

Day 6: Cycle from Béziers to Sète

Distance: 50 km

Leaving Béziers, the sea is not yet visible – but you can smell it! The landscape now becomes flatter, forming a mosaic of dunes, swamps and lagoons. This coastal region is home to many egrets, who strut proudly among the horses and cattle. As you reach the old town of Agde, with its 12^th century black cathedral, you cross the Hérault river in the direction of the Thau lagoon.

The Canal du Midi reaches its endpoint at the lighthouse in Onglous. The last part of your cycling route then follows the beach from Marseillan to the fishing port of Sète. 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, where everything is as fresh as can be!

Overnight: Sète

Day 7: Departure from Sète

Your Canal du Midi cycling holiday comes to an end after breakfast this morning in the pleasant town of Sète. The largest fishing port in France, Sète is also known for its beautiful beaches. Perhaps you will have time for a refreshing morning swim before beginning your homeward journey!

Arrival in Toulouse

	The closest airports to the Canal du Midi are Toulouse (TLS) and Monpellier (MPL). You can also fly to Bordeaux.
	From Toulouse airport there is an Airport shuttlebus (every 20 min) to the city centre.
	From Bordeaux, you can take a TER Train to Toulouse (approx. 2hrs).

Departure from Sète

At the end of your trip you can get the train from Sète to Montpellier or back to Toulouse.

For time tables and further information look at the website of the SNCF or TER-SNCF.

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, you can park in Toulouse or Sète and take the train back. Ask us for information about parking facilities.