Canal du midi by bike : From Toulouse to Agde
8 days / 7 nights | From March to October | 6 days riding | difficulty: 2/4 (cycling trip with 90% towpaths)
Let the route of the canal guide you as it presents all its history punctuated by conquests, boat cruises, sunny walks. The ‘Canal du midi’ offers you all its numerous architectural treasures and cultural ones: amazing civil engineering structures, Cathares vestiges. It’s also the occasion of meeting with numerous house-boats and its inhabitants in a country of ‘art de vivre’. Landscapes of vineyards, countryside, pine and olive trees will rhythm your stay.
Day by Day
Day 1 : Arrival in Toulouse
City of great heritage, take time to visit all the numerous testimonies of its rich past : St Sernin church which is the biggest Roman church in the world, the ‘Capitole’ square etc… keep the eyes opened to admire all the details of architecture.
Day 2: Toulouse – Castelnaudary - 66 km
‘The pink city’ famous for its numerous brick constructions, opens the doors of the ‘Canal du Midi’. Then, you will start your stage by crossing the ‘Lauragais’ country with its numerous farms where ducks and gooses enjoy a peaceful life, swimming and disturbing cyclists along the canal. Moreover, it is also a land of well being and gastronomy. Then, Castelnaudary, famous for its ‘Cassoulet’ , will welcome you and invite you to taste its local cuisine.
Day 3: Castelnaudary – Carcassonne - 43 km
In the heart of Cathare country, discover the manifold testimonies of their crusades all along your stage, they will guide you towards Carcassonne and its impressive medieval city. Classified as world heritage by UNESCO, you can admire one of the most beautiful fortification of Europe.
Day 4: Carcassonne – Homps - 43 km
Between Aude river and the canal, your stage continue at the stream rhythm, punctuated with pine and plane trees always offering a fresh environment. Each village hide a treasure to discover ; by this way do not forget to visit the canal bridge of Orbiel and the stone spillway of Argendouble.
Day 5: Homps – Narbonne - 42 km
Cross charming and typical small villages as Paraza and Le Somail. Then, leave the canal du Midi to follow another one ‘Canal de la Robine’, and reach Narbonne. At this point you will have the possibility to enjoy amazing buildings as ‘the 7 lockes’ in Salleles d’Aude and the bridge ‘pont des marchands’ in Narbonne.
Day 6: Narbonne – Béziers - 63 km
Start your day along the ‘Canal de la Robine’ to reach ‘Canal du midi’ on a route boarded by olive trees and vineyards. A stop must be done at Malpas tunnel, an exceptional site composed of 3 levels : the canal, a railway and a third way. The ‘oppidum’ of Enserune classified as world heritage by Unesco is also a wonderful point of view. Before arriving in Beziers, other curiosities are waiting for you, as the ‘9 staircase’ in Fonserannes and the canal bridge.
Day 7: Béziers – Agde - 29 km
Let’s go to the Mediterranean beaches ! The canal guides you to iodized and pine tree fragrances. A Mediterranean and seaside atmosphere is waiting for you in Agde.
Day 8: Departure during the day
For more information (rates, conditions…): please contact us.
Trip Reference: Ref. CM
