The Canal du Midi

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Half

Bike Tours, E-bike tours

Duration

7 days

Duration

242Km

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Self-guided

The beauty of this package is in the freedom it offers: without a guide, you are free to decide the timing, pace, and stops of your journey. Travel freely, travel your way!
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2/5 Medium-Easy

Moderate-Easy, between 25 and 65 kilometers per day with an elevation gain between 150 and 300 meters.

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Linear

The starting point is different from the ending point, with overnight stays in different hotels and daily stages.

Description

Day 1: Toulouse
Individual arrival in Toulouse, a city known as the pink city due to its buildings made with reddish stones. Enjoy its stately palaces and numerous museums located in extraordinary monuments. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 2: Toulouse – Castelnaudary (60 km)
After breakfast, bicycles handed over at the hotel (if rented). From the center of Toulouse, you cycle down the beautiful tarmac cycle path to leave the city; you continue along the large and comfortable chemin de halage, which skirts the Canal du Midi, and through the countryside of Lauragais, you reach the Seuil de Naurouze, which at 189 meters above sea level, is the highest point of the Canal du Midi and is a watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Then you arrive in Castelnaudary, a delightful town known as the capital of Cassoulet, a dish that absolutely must be tried. It is a stew that became popular during the Hundred Years War: pork or duck, bacon, garlic sausage, and white beans are the main ingredients.

Day 3: Castelnaudary – Carcassonne (42 km)
The locks, now downhill, are frequent. Always following the Canal du Midi, you can visit some interesting villages such as S.te Eulalie and Pennautier, a fortified village dominated by a 17th-century castle. The destination of the day is Carcassonne, which with its 52 towers is the largest and best-preserved fortress city in Europe, a Unesco World Heritage site since 1997. An evening walk on the ramparts is a must, to admire the lit citadel and enjoy the narrow streets and views of the city, without the bustling crowds of tourists seen during the day.

Day 4: Carcassonne – Homps/La Redorte (37 or 42 km)
Also for this stage the terrain is flat, but the cycle path may sometimes be a bit uneven, especially if wet, and may require some walking. You ride from the Roman bridge at Trèbes and Puicheri, a beautiful town surrounded by walls. At the end of the stage, you are welcomed by Homps, which was one of the most important ports of the Canal du Midi, where the spirit of traditional river navigation is still alive.

Day 5: Homps/La Redorte – Capestang (42 or 48 km)
The canal now follows more closely the course of the Aude, passing through Argens and Minervois and the massive towers of its castle. You will then cross Le Somail, one of the most beautiful places along the Canal du Midi, and Argeliers, a medieval town that retains its walls, castle, and a fortified church. You then arrive in Capestang, dominated by the Gothic Collegiate Church of Saint Etienne.

Day 6: Capestang – Agde (50 km) + Agde-Béziers by train
Today you can see one of the engineering wonders of the Canal du Midi: the system of 7 locks at Fonsérannes. You then pedal to the Greek city of Agde and le Grau d'Agde, to reach the sea. Return to Béziers by train. Béziers is a city with over 27 centuries of history, marked by riots and destructions, that was the birthplace of the man who designed the Canal du Midi: Pierre-Paul Piquet. The city's main street is named after him. Located in a region known for wine, Béziers built its wealth on this resource and today produces excellent quality wines.

Day 7: Béziers
After breakfast, end of services and individual departure.
 
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By choosing to travel by bike with us, you help us make the world a better place: we plant a tree for every trip sold

Why book online on Cyclando?

Because we guarantee you the lowest price and if your tour is not available or confirmed, you can always opt for the refund of the amount paid, or choose another tripfrom the over 800 on the platform.

Our cancellation insurance is the most advantageous you will find around!

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Cancel for any reason

Trip cancellation for any documentable reason: pregnancy, illness, work and more, guaranteed.

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Coverage of all costs

Full insurance covers all travel costs and penalties from companies, without worries.

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Refund in 7 days

With Smart Claims, we guarantee fast refunds in just 7 days for complete peace of mind.

✅ What is included in the trip?

  • Travel/Medical Insurance 24/24
  • Overnight stay and breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Local telephone assistance 7/7
  • City tax
  • Detailed description and maps of the itinerary
  • GPS or navigation APP

❌ What is not included?

  • Transfers not listed as "Included"
  • Tips
  • Journey to/from the starting point of the tour
  • Meals and drinks not listed as "Included"
  • Bike rental
  • Extras
  • Entrance fees, ferries and anything not listed as "Included"
  • Welcome briefing

💸 Cancellation fees

  • Time Range
  • Full refund
  • More 30 days of departure
  • 90%
  • From 29 to 30 days before departure
  • 75%
  • From 13 to 29 days before departure
  • 50%
  • Up to 7 days before departure
  • Not refundable

The Canal du Midi

  • To cycle from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, along the most famous canal in Europe, the Canal du Midi
  • To discover the medieval villages of Carcassonne, the largest and best preserved fortress city in Europe, and Capestang, with the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Etienne
  • To cycle immersed in the peace of the bucolic landscapes that flow along this water course, Unesco Heritage
  • To taste the wines of the famous wine regions of Minervois and Corbières
  • To finally reach Béziers, a city with a centuries-old history, which gave birth to the man who designed the Canal du Midi: Pierre-Paul Piquet
  • To savor the slow rhythm of France by bike, in a rural landscape similar to that of Maigret novels or an old French movie

🙋 Frequently asked questions

  • Can I bring my own bike?

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  • What kind of assistance will I have during the trip?

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  • How do I know if a tour is within my capabilities?

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  • What is the cost of renting bicycles?

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  • Are rented bikes equipped with accessories like lights or bags?

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Organized by

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Grandangle

Best Price Guaranteed!

Starting from 869per person

stariicon4.9/5on15 reviews
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How many of you will there be?

Adults

Minimum participant number = 1

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1

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KidsAges 0-12

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Tour operator with Europe Assistance RC Insurance 4249713 - Registered with the Guarantee Fund with A.I.A.V. Associazione Italiana Agenti di Viaggio trough IL SALVAGENTE s.c. a r.l.. All rights reserved.

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