60,000 trees were planted in many places along the beautiful Canal du Midi route, which runs from Toulouse all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea. They shade the towpaths and little streets too, which lead you to countless cultural monuments: from cathedrals and palaces to Roman and medieval buildings.
The wealth of culture on the Canal du Midi includes delightful culinary treasures. In this region, the vineyards produce excellent wine, and it is the home to tantalising cuisine. Enjoying life’s pleasures has a long tradition here.
Day 1: Individual arrival to Toulouse
In the evening welcome briefing and distribution of rental bike (if booked) in Toulouse. Because of its buildings with reddish stones the inhabitants call Toulouse „ville rose“ too, the pink town. Take a little walk to see the important sacred buildings of Toulouse. One of it is the basilica St-Sernin de Toulouse, which is one of the most beautiful Romanesque sacred buildings in South France. Toulouse is an attractive mixture of architectural styles with lordly Renaissance houses and former industrial buildings, which were masterful rebuilt into culture temples. One overnight in Toulouse.
Day 2: Toulouse – Castelnaudary (approx. 60 km)
Castelnaudary ist the destination of your tour today. In former times it was the place of a lot of mills. Till today the Moulin de Cagurel from the 17th century on the pestilence hill testifies it. Splendid manors, built in the 17th century too, and beautiful half-timbered houses let this town become an architectural jewel. A popular culinary delicacy in Castelnaudary is the savoury bean stew Cassoulet, which came up during the Hundred Years‘ War. Pork or duck, bacon, garlic sausage and white beans are possible ingredients. . One overnight in Castelnaudary.
Day 3: Castelnaudary – Carcarsonne (approx. 40 km)
Carcassonne is today one of the best preserved fortress towns in Europe and since 1997 part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The mightiest building of the town and one of the biggest fortresses in Europe is the fortress Cité Médiévale of Carcassonne with its 52 towers. You can experience the lively Carcassonne best in the downtown with its lively streets and the bastion Saint Louis. One overnighti n Carcarsonne.
Day 4: Roundtrip to Montolieu (approx. 40 km)
Montolieu is a wonderful city at the edge of the Montagnes Noires. There are 15 antique stores with over 200.000 books in this worth seeing city of book. The former royal textile manufacturing was declared to a National Monument in 2004. Further overnight in Carcarsonne.
If you book the 8-day cycle tour the roundtrip Montolieu is not applicable. You cycle on Day 4 from Carcarsonne to Olonzac.
Day 5: Carcarsonne – Olonzac (about. 45 km)
Villages, wine-growing estates and vineyards are located pictorially around the waterways. You reach Olonzac. You will have the chance to taste some good wines.
Day 6: Olonzac – Narbonne (approx. 45 km)
Narbonne, which is flanked by vineyards. The former capital of the Romanesque antiquity was the first Roman colony outside of Italy. Sights like the relics of the street “Via Domitia“ or the houses-bridge with Roman origin “Pont des Marchands“ are evidences of this time. But later centuries too have left their marks in the town: for example the archbishop’s palace or the Gothic cathedral. One overnight in Narbonne.
Day 7: Narbonne – Béziers (approx. 45 km)
Béziers can look back to a 2,700 years old history. And it is the birthplace of that man too, who was the father of the Canal du Midi: Pierre-Paul Riquet. The alley Paul-Riquet in the centre of the town is dedicated to him. Béziers is located scenic in a winegrowing region, where the grapes for an excellent wine grow. Maybe you allow yourself a glass? One overnight in Béziers.
Day 8: Béziers – Cap d´Agde (approx. 40 km)
Your cycling alongside the Canal du Midi leads you past masterpieces of engineering like the lock of Agde. It is the only round lock of the Canal du Midi and was built with volcanic rock. The basic measurements of the lock are 29.90 metres diameter and 5.20 metres depth. Cap d´Agde at the Mediterranean Sea is your destination today. The biggest European marina is part of the French town Agde and a paradise for water sportsmen like divers, surfers or sailors. But people, who just want to bath and to rest at the beach, get their money‘s worth too. One overnight in Cap d´Agde.
If you book the 8-day cycle tour you cycle directly to Sète. No overnight in Cap d´Agde.
Day 9: Cap d´Agde – Séte (approx. 35 km)
In Sète flows the Canal du Midi into the Mediterranean Sea. The town is surrounded by water and its surname is “Venice des Languedoc“. The reasons for this surname are beneath the Canal du Midi countless additional waterways, which cross the town. One overnight in Sète.
Day 10: Return journey
The tour ends after breakfast. Individual return journey.
This Canal du Midi holiday is slightly-challenging. You cycle on asphalted paths, gravel roads and side roads with less traffic.
Total distance cycled: 350 km
Route Map (for guidance only)
Holidays on the Canal du Midi may be subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX files are available for most of the cycling holidays in France we offer.
Starting point of the cycling holiday: Toulouse
Toulouse, Montpellier or Beziers are the best airports in France to fly to reach the starting point of this Canal du Midi holiday.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport, or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point in France or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Canal du Midi cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included Services (subject to confirmation):
Not Included:
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Men's Bike (Colour may vary)
Electric Bike (Colour may vary)
Rental Bike PLUS
For 2020, there is an additional bike rental option available for a supplement. The PLUS hybrid bike now available on most cycling holidays is sportier with higher quality brakes (Magura HS 11) and better specification gears (Shimano Deore XT). The riding position is designed to have a slightly sportier sitting posture and a high quality Suntour suspension fork gives smooth riding on most surfaces. All accessories are compatible with the new PLUS bike rental option.
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gears
7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.
The hotel list below is subject to change and should be used as a guide. We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival. |
|
Canal Du Midi | Sample Hotel List |
Sete | Hotel L'Orque Bleue |
Le Cap D'Agde | Hotel Gil De France |
Beziers | Hotel Imperator |
Narbonne | Clarion Suites Narbonne Lle Du Gua |
Olonzac | Gastehaus Eloi Merle |
Carcassonne | L'Aragon |
Castelnaudary | Hotel Le Clos Fleuri |
Toulouse | Hotel Royal Wilson |
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
You can now book the 10-day cycling holiday online using our secure booking engine. Book online here >>
You can now book the 8-day cycling holiday online using our secure booking engine. Book online here >>
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season 1: | 27.03.-09.04.2021 | 26.09.-02.10.2021 | Saturdays |
Season 2: | 10.04.-25.06.2021 | 29.08.-25.09.2021 | Saturdays |
Season 3: | 26.06.-28.08.2021 | Saturdays |
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season 1: | 27.03.-09.04.2021 | 26.09.-02.10.2021 | Saturdays |
Season 2: | 10.04.-25.06.2021 | 29.08.-25.09.2021 | Saturdays |
Season 3: | 26.06.-28.08.2021 | Saturdays |
Season | Prices per person excluding bike hire |
Season 1: | £835 |
Season 2: | £915 |
Season 3: | £945 |
Single Room Supplement: | £200 |
Rental Bike 21 Gear: | £75 |
E-Bike Upgrade: | £180 |
Category Type | Accommodation Overview |
Category A: | 2* and 3* Hotels (French classification) |
Season | Prices per person excluding bike hire |
Season 1: | £1030 |
Season 2: | £1090 |
Season 3: | £1125 |
Single Room Supplement: | £250 |
Rental Bike 21 Gear: | £85 |
E-Bike Upgrade: | £210 |
Category Type | Accommodation Overview |
Category A: | 2* and 3* Hotels (French classification) |
Date From | Date To |
---|---|
27 March 2021 | 11 October 2021 |