Evazio > Active Holidays in France > Cycling holidays in France / Bike tours in France > Bike tours along the Canal des Deux Mers > Canal du Midi bike tour from Montpellier to Toulouse

Canal du Midi bike tour from Montpellier to Toulouse

Trip Code : Cyclo 24

Trip activity

Self-guided cycling tour

Location

Montpellier Carcassonne Toulouse - France

Duration

7 to 10 days

Trip grading

45 to 60 km per day

Departures

Every Saturday from March 14 to October 01
Every other day with extra charge (if less of 4 people)

Capacity

Minimum 2 people

Price per person

March 14 to April 17 : 695 €
April 18 to June 26 : 785 €
June 27 to Sept 04 : 815 €
Sept 05 to Sept 25 : 775 €
Sept 26 to Oct 31 : 695 €
Extension to Toulouse : 300 €

Including services

6 to 9 overnights with breakfast in Hotel 3 & 4 stars and guesthouse (in double / twin room)
Route notes & maps, regional inforrmation
Luggage transfer hotel to hotel
Emergency phone call support 7/7

Extra charges

Touring bike : 95 €. Extension 30 €
Electric bike : 185 €. Extension 40 €
Full half board : 210 € Extension 110 €
Departure not on saturday (less that 4 people) : 70 to 100 € per pers

Tour description

The Canal du Midi bike tour

This Canal du Midi bike tour will make you cycle along one of the the most beautiful canal in Europe. It was built by Pierre Paul Riquet between 1667 and 1681 in order to link the Mediterranean to Atlantic Ocean. This idea had already been dreamt of by the Romans but was only carried out sixteen centuries later and even at that time was a considerable technological achievement.

Nowadays this calm restful waterway is lined on both sides by many trees. All along the 260 km / 160 miles of water situated in the South of France and the 64 locks, you will come across authentic and varied landscapes. You will come across such exceptional places of touristic interest as the medieval walled town of Carcassonne.

Other equally fascinating sites will make pleasant stopping points on your trip between the sea-port of Sète and Carcassonne. Agde is well-known for its wonderful fortified Romanesque cathedral built in basalt, Béziers for its 2000-year-old Roman bridge, its cathedral and its Canal Bridge and Narbonne for its great gothic cathedral, its archbishop’s palace and its Roman underground warehouses.

There are also numerous villages (typical of the South of France) spread out the whole way along your trip. You can discover new places, breathe in nice odours, get some fresh air, look around you and feel relaxed on your bicycle and at the same time undertake an activity which is good for your mind and body. This promenade along the water edge away from traffic will allow you to meet local people and other tourists and to appreciate the wonderful local cuisine.

Once in Carcassonne, you can choose to stop your cycling holiday or continue for 3 more days until Toulouse, the “pink city”

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Montpellier

Individual arrival in Montpellier. At the reception you will receive your traveler documents.

Day 2: Montpellier - Sète, ~45 km

At 9:30am we will be at your hotel to adjust your rental bike and to give you all the necessary information about your tour. From the elegant city of Montpellier you will cycle along the Lez River on a bike path through a bird sanctuary to Palavas and the Mediterranean Sea. Then the way leads you along the Rhone-Sète Canal through the middle of a beautiful Lake District and finally to Frontignan-Plage and Sete.

Day 3: Sète - Beziers, ~60 km

This morning you should not forget to take your bathing togs. Because in the morning you ride along the beach on a perfect bike lane to Agde. Here you can visit the old town and the cathedral made of black stones. From here you follow the Canal du Midi to Beziers.

Day 4: Béziers - Narbonne, ~45 km

Via the bridge over the river Orb you reach the 7 locks at Fonséranes. Continue your ride along the canal, past the Celtic oppidum of Ensérune and an imposing Gothic church in Capestang. You continue on little roads and paths through the vineyards to Narbonne.

Day 5: Narbonne – Homps / Olonzac, ~40 km

Visit the old town of Narbonne and its famous ancient monuments like the archbishop’s palace and the Gothic cathedral. Then you ride along the Canal de la Robine and on little roads to the Canal du Midi, which leads you to the little village of Homps, or a little bit further on to Olonzac.

Day 6: Homps / Olonzac - Carcassonne, ~40 km

Today you continue to follow the Canal du Midi until you reach the fascinating, historical city of Carcassonne, the famous medieval walled town with its 2 circular walls and a huge medieval fortress, the largest one in Europe (World Heritage Site).

Day 7: Departure from Carcassonne or Extension to Toulouse !

Get back to Montpellier by train.

Extension to Toulouse (+ 3 nights):

Day 7: Carcassonne – Castelnaudary, ~ 50 km

You follow always the Canal du Midi, discover new villages and arrive in Castelnaudary.

Day 8: Castelnaudary – St. Ferréol lake - Castelnaudary, ~ 50 km

On little roads and pathes to the heart of the Canal project, the St. Ferréol lake in the black mountains (Montagne Noire), discover new villages like Revel with one of the nicest covered markets of France and back to Castelnaudary.

Day 9: Castelnaudary – Toulouse, ~ 55 km

Always along the Canal du Midi and arrival in the heart of the very nice town of Toulouse.

Day 10: Individual departure

Practical details

Complete this form.

Upon receipt of your booking request, and subject to availability, we will contact you shortly to finalize your registration. We will send you the registration as well as the terms of sale. form. The registration will be effective upon receipt of your registration form duly completed, dated and signed with payment of 30% of the holiday price (payment by check, credit card or bank transfer).