Menu
The Canal du Midi by bike from Montpellier to Toulouse
Price per person
From 845€
Type of stay
Bicycle trip
Location
Montpellier, Carcassonne, Toulouse - France
Duration
7 to 10 days
Difficulty
Departures
Every Sunday from March 16 to November 01. Other days with supplement (if less than 4 people)
Capacity
Minimum 2 persons
Reference
Cyclo 24
Your stay
The Canal du Midi by bike. From Montpellier to Carcassonne or Toulouse
The Canal du Midi is certainly the most beautiful canal in Europe. Moreover, having been built in record time in the 17th century (1666-1681), it is the oldest canal in the world, and served as the model for all canals built subsequently. Cycling on the Canal du Midi takes you through some 240 km of superb scenery. In all, there are 64 locks, the most spectacular of which is the Fonséranes lock near Béziers, where 9 locks enable boats to climb a vertical drop of around 30 m – a real feat of engineering at the time!
This bike tour takes you along the towpath in the shade of thousands of century-old plane trees, sheltered from traffic. You’ll discover the Languedoc vineyards on small back roads, as well as many picturesque villages. Culture and art lovers will be delighted.
This tour starts in Sète, a port city and the 2nd largest fishing port in the Mediterranean, then passes through Agde, founded by the Greeks, with its Romanesque cathedral fortified in basalt, then on to Béziers with its cathedral, old town and Roman bridge over the Orb, stops at Narbonne, with its archiepiscopal palace, Gothic cathedral and Roman ‘horreum’, and ends at Carcassonne, whose old town is famous for its impressive double wall, the largest in Europe (a UNESCO World Heritage site).
And if you add three days, the Canal du Midi will take you to the pink city of Toulouse, via Castelnaudary, the undisputed capital of Cassoulet. You’ll also discover the Lac de Saint-Ferréol, the world’s first reservoir, built by Paul Riquet to ensure a steady supply of water to the Canal du Midi. Last but not least, this cycling tour is also a gastronomic tour, as we’ve selected the best restaurants at each stop to help you discover the fine cuisine of Languedoc.
You'll enjoy :
- The entire Canal du Midi!
- The medieval Cathar city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO world heritage site
- A swimming break at Lac de Saint-Ferreol, a historic site in a green setting
- The diversity of Occitanie’s landscapes
- The charm of old lock houses
Daily program
Day 1 - Montpellier
Individual arrival in Montpellier
Day 2 - From Montpellier to Sète
- 45 km
- -
9:30 am: Pick up your bikes and tour documents. Pedal along the Lez from the beautiful city of Montpellier on a cycle path through a bird sanctuary to Palavas and the Mediterranean Sea. Then along the Rhône-Sète canal through the Camargue and on to Frontignan-Plage and Sète.
Day 3 - From Sète to Béziers
- 60 km
- -
Follow the coastal road to Agde, where you can visit the old town and cathedral, then follow the Canal du Midi to Béziers.
Day 4 - From Béziers to Narbonne
- 45 km
- -
Visit Béziers and take the bridge over the River Orb to the Fonséranes locks.
Continuing on roadsides and footpaths, you pass Ensérune, a Celtic oppidum, and the imposing Gothic church of Capestang. Continue along vineyard paths towards Narbonne.
Day 5 - Narbonne to Homps / Olonzac
- 40 km
- -
Narbonne, with its archiepiscopal palace and Gothic cathedral, is a must-see in the middle of your tour. Walk along the Canal de la Robine and over footpaths to the Canal du Midi and the small village of Homps. Stay in a B&B **** or a 4**** hotel in La Redorte.
Day 6 - From Homps / Olonzac to 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
Extension to Toulouse (3 nights)
Day 8 - From Carcassonne to Castelnaudary
- 50 km
- -
If you’ve booked the extended tour to Toulouse, continue along the Canal du Midi, where you’ll catch a glimpse of the Montagne Noire, and pass through peaceful villages under plane trees to Castel-naudary, the undisputed capital of cassoulet.
Day 9 - Loop from Castelnaudary: Lac St. Ferréol
- 50
- -
Leave the Canal du Midi and follow country roads to reach the strategic point of the Canal des Deux-Mers project: Lac St Ferréol, built in the 17th century as a reservoir for the Canal. Further on, you’ll come across the central market hall of the Revel bastide. Return to Castelnaudary.
Day 10 - From Castelnaudary to Toulouse
- 55
- -
Continue along the Canal to arrive in Toulouse, a pink city on the Garonne River that’s a must-see, as are the riverbanks.
rates
Price per person
| March 16 to April 05 / Sept. 21 to Nov. 01 | April 06 to June 21 / Sept 07 to 20 | June 22 to Sept. 06 | |
|
|
|
|
Price includes :
- 6 to 9 nights with breakfast in 3 and 4-star hotels and bed & breakfast (double room)
- Meeting with our local correspondent
- Route book (with map and directions)
- GPS track files on request
- Luggage transfer at every stage
- 7/7 technical support
Supplements
| Montpellier to Carcassonne | Montpellier to Toulouse | |
|
|
|
Further information
We take care of transporting your luggage every time you change accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy your day’s hiking.
Leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure.
At the end of the afternoon, you’ll meet them at the reception desk of your new accommodation or directly in your room.
Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (maximum 23 kg) + 1 carry-on.
Your travel file corresponds to the documents or files you receive prior to your trip (generally one month before) and/or on arrival at your first accommodation.
It includes :
A welcome letter with key practical information:
- Baggage transport times
- Details of delivery and collection of rental bikes if required
- Your local contact and emergency telephone number(s)
- Any additional information
Travel logbook including map with route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical information
Any necessary vouchers to be given to the service provider(s)
On request and depending on the tour:
- The “Evazio” application, downloadable onto your smartphone, for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance. The app also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no Internet connection is required.
- Loan of a GPS device with pre-recorded tracks
- Send GPX tracks of each stage for use with your own navigation device
On this tour, we can provide you with a choice of the following, upon reservation:
- A VTC bike adapted to the ride and the route
- An electric bike adapted to the route
With equipment :
- 1 rear bag
- 1 repair kit
- 1 anti-theft device
- 1 charger (for electric bike)
For younger children, depending on age and size, we can offer
- A child’s bike
- A baby seat
- A trailer
- A follower bike
The bike is adjusted to your size and delivered to the first accommodation.
At the end of the tour, the bike must be left at the last accommodation with its equipment. We’ll take care of collecting them.
This tour is offered in the “superior” category
Hotel categories :
- Comfort: The tour features mainly 2 and 3-star hotels (or equivalent comfort level) and bed & breakfasts.
- Superior: The tour features mainly 3- and 4-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort) and charming bed & breakfasts.
- Luxury: The tour features mainly 4- and 5-star hotels (or equivalent level of comfort).
For the duration of your stay, our telephone assistance service is available:
- 7 days a week
- from 07:30 to 20:30.
Itinerary
These trips might appeal to you
Tour of the Arcachon Basin by bike – Vélodyssée
For the younger ones, this route offers short bike stages, some of which are loops, and several protected swimming spots ...
- 650€ /pers
- 6 to 7 days
Cycling to the gates of Paris – From Vaux le Vicomte to the Château de Versailles
We offer you a bike tour in the heart of the Paris region. The itinerary begins in the French gardens of ...
- 745€ /pers
- 5 to 6 days
Vineyards and Canal de Garonne by bike from Bordeaux to Agen
3 days of cycling between Bordeaux and Agen to discover the beautiful Entre-deux-Mers vineyards and the Garonne canal, ...
- 525€ /pers
- 5 days
Vélodyssée: cycling from Nantes to Bordeaux
Cycling vacations from Nantes to Bordeaux, following the Vélodyssée cycle route from Nantes to Royan along the Atlantic coast, then...
- 1745€ /pers
- 13 days
Bicycle and Boat – The Bordeaux Wine Route in Gironde
Discover the Bordeaux region by bike and boat. Your hotel boat will take you from Castets en Dorthe, the starting point...
- Nous consulter
- 8 days
Vélodyssée: from La Rochelle to Biarritz by bike
Leaving from La Rochelle and Ile de Ré, this tour along the Atlantic coast by bike takes you on a discovery of the Charente ...
- 1645€ /pers
- 11 to 12 days
Vélodyssée: From La Rochelle to Arcachon by bike – Charente Maritime and Gironde
Cycle the famous Vélodyssée from La Rochelle to Arcachon. Your cycling tour takes you along the Atlantic coast of France...
- 1010€ /pers
- 7 to 9 days
Cycling vacations in Champagne, vineyards and heritage
Discovering Champagne by bike is a journey rich in diversity. The entire region is marked by the omnipresence of vineyards and...
- 1060€ /pers
- 7 days
Cycling vacations in Provence Camargue
This cycling tour takes in one of Europe's most culturally rich regions. Numerous monuments bear witness to a long and glorious...
- 895€ /pers
- 8 days
Book your stay now
- + 33 (0)5 56 79 25 05
Fill in our booking form to start planning your adventure.
We are at your disposal to create memorable experiences that meet your specific needs.