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The Canal du Midi, Carcassonne and the Mediterranean

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Tour

Bike Tours, E-bike tours

Duration

7 days

Distance

261Km

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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 at the first hotel in Toulouse, where you will find your bikes. Possibility to book a private transfer (not included) from the airport or railway station. In Toulouse, also known as The Pink City, you can breathe in a wonderful air of artistic and historical vitality and wandering its streets is a pleasure.

Day 2: Toulouse – Castelnaudary (65 km)
You will begin your bike journey crossing the famous Paul Riquet Bridge, named after the man who, in 1666, supervised the start of construction of the Canal du Midi. You will soon find yourself cycling in open countryside, following the banks of the canal where you'll see the ubiquitous péniches, typical river boats often converted into homes. It's worth it to stop in Avignonet, famous for its medieval houses, sculptures and large churches. Along the route you will encounter numerous villages, the most noteworthy being certainly Seuil de Narouze, the highest point of the entire Canal du Midi. The final destination of the day: Castelnaudary, famous for its cassoulet, a regional gastronomical specialty.

Day 3: Castelnaudary – Carcassonne (40 km)
Today, it will feel like you're traveling in time. Along the route you will encounter several villages with over 2000 years of history, among which the most significant is surely the one of Bram, founded in the II century B.C., which became an important trading city with the name Eboromagnus. Today it is the best preserved circular city in Europe. From the Gallo-Roman era you will leap to the XVII century, pedaling through the double lock of Lalande, the windmill of Cugarel, the large basin of Villepinte, and the Rebenty aqueduct. You will finally arrive at Carcassonne, the best preserved medieval fortified city in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a place of unique charm.

Day 4: Carcassonne – Homps/Olonzac (42 km)
Leave the city following the Canal du Midi, pedaling under the shade of the plane trees that frame the route, along which you'll encounter several historical gems worth visiting, like the 12th-century church in Trebes, guarded by 320 crows carved in oak wood, the ancient Gallic village of Marseillette and finally Capendu, with its Romanesque chapel. Alternatively, you can relax reading a good book sitting on the terrace of some Cafe, or have a picnic on the banks of the canal. Let yourself become immersed in the unique atmosphere of the South of France. As you get closer to Olonzac, you'll find yourself increasingly surrounded by vineyards; in the evening we recommend you taste the excellent local wines. Over night stay at a Maison d’Hôtes where you can relax in all tranquility in Olonzac.

Day 5: Homps/Olonzac – Béziers (64 km)
After passing the Argens lock, continue to follow the Canal du Midi, which here splits into four ways, until you reach the Canal de la Robine and continue in the direction of the Mediterranean and Béziers. Along the way, we recommend a stop at the wonderful Cathedral of Capestang, built between the XII and XV century, in a dominant position compared to the surrounding landscape, which you can admire by going up to the bell tower. The route then continues alongside several Roman remains, such as the bridge over the swamp, the Gallo-Roman village of Poilhes la Romaine and the Oppidum of Ensérune, an open-air museum. Other historical places related to the history of the Canal du Midi include, the Malpas Tunnel, secretly excavated at the end of the 1600s by the engineer Paul Riquet, against the wishes of the central government and Europe's first navigable tunnel, and the advanced 9 locks of Foncérannes. You finally arrive at Béziers, whose historic streets, the cathedral and the Old Bridge are worth exploring.

Day 6: Béziers – Sète (50 km)
In this last day of cycling, surrounded by the Mediterranean air, you will pedal among sand dunes, wetlands and a saltwater lagoon. The landscapes you will cross are very similar to those of the nearby Camargue, also populated by egrets, wild horses and bulls. Continuing along the Canal du Midi, you cross the impressive round lock of Agde before entering the city, where we recommend a visit to the cathedral and the historical center. The route then reconnects to the canal and skirts the immense Thau pond, a real inner sea, before reaching the Bagnas pond and finally the Mediterranean beaches of Marseillan. From here you pedal along the coast until you reach the historic port of Sète, the final destination of this unforgettable journey.

Day 7: Sète
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
  • GPS or navigation APP
  • Luggage transfer
  • Local telephone assistance 7/7
  • Detailed description and maps of the itinerary
  • 2 dinners (on day 2 and 4)

❌ What is not included?

  • Transfers not listed as "Included"
  • City tax
  • 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 32 days of departure
  • 90%
  • From 32 to 31 days before departure
  • 75%
  • From 31 to 21 days before departure
  • 50%
  • From 21 to 14 days before departure
  • 25%
  • From 14 to 7 days before departure
  • 10%

The Canal du Midi, Carcassonne and the Mediterranean

  • To bike along the famous Canal du Midi, starting from Toulouse, the pink city, to the coasts of the Mediterranean
  • To discover the unique charm of Carcassonne, the best-preserved fortified medieval city in Europe
  • To enjoy some picnics with French cheeses and wine on the banks of the canal
  • To skirt the Thau pond, the largest of a series of lagoons
  • To reach the beaches of Marseillan and the historic port of Sète
  • To immerse themselves in the warm and bustling atmospheres of the South by cycling through France by bike

Package only on request.

Some of our tours are not available or bookable at the moment. If you are interested in this tour, then ask our team for more information on upcoming availability, or on a similar tour available or bookable immediately!

🙋 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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Purely Pyrenees

Cyclando srl

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.

VAT ID: 03880320365

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