Canal du Midi – France Cycling Holiday

This tour has two options, a ten day - nine night or eight day - seven night itinerary.

For the ten day itinerary click here

Day 1 Individual arrival in Toulouse 

Settle into your hotel and then take time to explore this attractive town with its pleasant mix of architectural styles, make sure you don't miss the basilica St Sernin de Toulouse, one of the most beautiful Romanesque buildings in southern France. In the evening there is a welcome briefing and distribution of rental bike if booked. 

Day 2 From Toulouse to Castelnaudary

Set off from Toulouse towards Castelnaudary, your destination for today. A former mill town, as the 17th century Molin de Cugarel will testify.  Beautiful 17th century manors and half timbered houses make this town an architetural jewel.  A popular culinary delicacy in Castelnaudary is the savoury bean stew Cassoulet. Pork or duck, bacon, garlic sausage and white beans are all possible ingredients. 

Approx. Distance 37 miles (60 km)

Day 3 From Castelnaudary to Carcarsonne

Famous for the Cité de Carcassonne, a medieval fortress, Carcassonne is one of the best preserved fortress towns in Europe and it was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. The fortress Cité Médiévale of Carcassonne with its 52 towers dominates the town. You can experience this lively town best downtown, with its lively streets and the bastion Saint Louis. Here you have the chance to taste Micheline, an herb liqueur from the region. Worth visiting is the Maison des Mémoires  (house of memories) which tells about the life and fate of the Cathari. Carcassonne was a centre of the Christian Faith Movement of the Carthari, which were banished from town in 1209. 

Approx. Distance 25 miles (40 km)

Day 4 From Carcarsonne to Olonzac 

Pass villages, wine estates and vineyards which are located pictorially around waterways as you cycle towards Olonzac.  On arrival you will have the chance to taste some good wines and maybe visit Les Celliers d'Onairac. Olonzac is a pleasant town with several cafes and shops.  At the heart of the town, you can admire the town hall, the parish church or the facade of the old café Plana whose interior is classified as an historic monument.

Approx. Distance 25 miles (40 km)

Day 5 From Olonzac to Narbonne 

Flanked by vineyards, Narbonne, the former capital of the Romanesque antiquity was the first Roman colony outside of Italy.  Evidence of this period are the relics of the street Via Domitia and the bridge, Pont des Marchands (Merchants' Bridge).  This is an historic bridge which serves as a foundation for a row of houses and shops.  Underneath, the Canal de la Robine runs through the old town. Its segmental arch has a span of ca. 15 m. In Roman times the structure featured as many as six arches.  It is one of only a handful of bridges worldwide that are lined with shops.  Later centuries have also left there mark in the Archbishop's Palace and the Gothic Cathedral.

Approx. Distance 28 miles (45 km )

Day 6 From Narbonne to Béziers

Béziers is the birthblace of the father of the Canal du Midi, Pierre-Paul Riquet, an alley in the town being dedicated to him.  Cathédrale St-Nazaire is the main sight in Béziers. This grandiose Romanesque cathedral dates from the thirteenth century and occupies one of the best sites in town: from the concourse in front of the cathedral there are terrific views out over the surrounding vineyards and towards the foothills of the Massif Central to the north.

Approx. Distance 28 miles (45 km)

Day 7 From Béziers to Sète

Cycling along the Canal du Midi takes you past some engineering masterpieces, one of which is the lock at Adge.  It is the only round lock on the canal and is built from volcanic rock.  The lock is 29.9m in diameter and 5.2m deep.  Today you are heading for Cap d'Agde on the Mediteranean sea.  The biggest marina in Europe is part of the town and is a paradise for water sportsmen. Divers, surfers and sailors use the area, but those who just want to relax on the beach can get their money's worth too.  In Sète the Canal du Midi flows into the Mediteranea sea.  Surrounded by water and with the Canal du Midi and countless other waterways criss crossing the town it's nickname is "Venice des Languedoc" .

Approx. Distance 47 miles (75 km)

Day 8 Individual Departure or Extra Nights

Individual departure after breakfast.

Key Details:

• Eight day, seven night or ten day, nine night itinerary to choose from.
• This tour will start in Toulouse and end in Sete.
• The total distance of this cycling tour is approximately 190 miles (305km).

Essential Information:

• This tour is not challenging. You cycle on asphalted paths, gravel roads and side roads with less traffic.
• Good arrival via train or plane to Toulouse.
• Airport: Toulouse, Montpellier or Béziers/Cap d´Agde.
• Return transfers: Incl bike on Saturday or Monday from Sète € 75,- per person. A reservation is necessary during booking, maximum number of person is 6, payable locally.
• Train: from Toulouse to Séte about € 40 
• Parking: There is parking near the hotel for about €16 per day (payable locally)
• Bikes: You can select between either a 7-gear-bike with back pedal brake or a 21-gear-bike or electric bike. Please specify your wish at the booking. Each bike will be provided with a saddlebags.

There are lots of attractions and places to explore during your cycling holiday in France including:

• The Canal du Midi
• French Harbour Towns and Fishing Villages
• Birthplace of Paul Riquet, the builder of the Canal du Midi
• Saint Just Cathedral
• UNESCO World Heritage Site Carcassonne
• Toulouse

Getting to France:

By Rail – Nearest train station to the start is Toulouse and the end is Séte.

Toulouse: There are two rail routes from Paris to Toulouse:  The classic direct route from Paris Gare d'Austerlitz to Toulouse via Limoges & Brive uses conventional 125mph trains, most now stylish and comfortable Téoz carriages, see the photos below.  The high-speed route from Paris Gare Montparnasse to Toulouse via Bordeaux uses 186mph TGVs, this is a longer way round but it's still faster, especially since 2 July 2017 when the Tours-Bordeaux high-speed line opened.

Sète: Take the train to Toulouse (see below) and retrace your journey or there are trains from Sète to Paris, either direct or with one change.  Then it's on Eurostar back to London.

Look at "The Man in Seat 61" website to help you plan your journey

Here is the Trainline website

Check here for taking your bike by train to Europe

By Bus – There are several routes between the UK and Toulouse by bus.  Most modern coaches have comfortable seats with good leg room, toilets, WiFi and snacks and drinks.

There are regular trains running between Sète and Montpellier and from here you can catch a bus to London, alternatively catch a train to Toulouse (see below) and retrace your outward journey.

Flixbus is one company that run a regular services

By Car – Toulouse can be reached by car via ferry or Eurotunnel and well-maintained motorways. 

Parking: There is a car park near the hotel in Toulouse for about € 16 per day (payable locally)

Here is the AA route planner website.

By Air – The nearest airports are Toulouse, Montpellier or Béziers/Cap d´Agde.

Here is the Skyscanner webste

Getting back to Toulouse:

Via train from Séte to Toulouse approx. € 40

Bus transfer incl bike on Saturday or Monday from Sète € 75 per person. A reservation is necessary during booking, maximum number of person is 6, payable locally.

For more information on getting to France please visit the France Tourism website.