Cycle along Canal du Midi

You make your way on your own to the "pink" Toulouse, the cultural city where red bricks are a characteristic feature. Visit the city's lively center with its many fine restaurants. Discover monumental treasures, such as Place du Capitol, St. Sernin Cathedral and Couvent des Jacobins, a beautiful Dominican monastery from the 13th century.

Accommodation in Toulouse

Leave the city via the Paul Riquet bridge and cycle along Canal du Midi with its characteristic barges. You enter the pastel-colored country of Lauragais. Take a break in Avignonet, center of the battles during the Albigensian Crusades with lots of medieval remains, statues of crusaders and enormous churches. At the foot of Montagne Noir you'll find the canal's highest point. This is the Narouze watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. You then make your way down to Castelnaudary, perhaps to get a real authentic cassoulet.

Accommodation in Castelnaudary

Surrounded by Montagne Noir to the east and the Pyrenees to the southwest, you cycle via an original, thousand-year-old towpath to Brams river port. Brick gives way to stone, grain fields transform into vineyards. You pass ancient villages and waterworks like Béteil and Lalande lock which show Paul Riquet's ingenuity. Also stop at Cugarel mill, Villepinte dam and Rebenty aqueduct. Finally you reach Carcassonne, which consists of a medieval upper town and Bastide St. Jean located lower down.

Accommodation in Carcassonne

After fantastic Carcassonne you cycle back to the peaceful silence that the canal offers surrounded by impressive plains. Admire the bridge at Orbiel, the overflow of canal water at Argendouble and the 12th century church in the port of Trèbes. The very doors of this church, supported by 320 oak consoles, are worth a visit. If possible stop in the Gallic village near Marseillette and take a walk to Capendu with its Roman chapel. Through rolling vineyards you reach your destination.

Accommodation in Homps/Olonzac

After the Argens lock you follow the winding path along the slope to Le Somail. Here you can take a break in the old library. Then you cycle along Canal de la Robine to Capestang with its collegiate church, already visible from far away. From the tower you can see the sea and the 14th century castle nearby. On the way you again pass the Gallo-Roman remains: the village of Poilhes la Romaine and Oppidum d'Ensérune. Also admire the Malpas tunnel and the 9 locks of Foncérannes. They are proof of the brilliance of architect Paul Riquet, whose hometown, the historic Béziers, is your destination today.

Accommodation in Béziers

Even though the sea is not visible, you can smell it. The landscape becomes flatter and forms a mosaic of sand dunes, marshes and wide lagoons. It is the habitat for herons that strut among horses and cattle. In this coastal region, which looks like Camargue, you pass the unique "Pont Bache du Libron" and the round lock of Agde. In Agde with its "dark cathedral" you cross the Hérault towards the Thau lagoon. At the lighthouse in Onglous, Canal du Midi ends. In Marseillan you finally cycle along the beach to Sète and perhaps you'll catch a glimpse of the traditional water jousting "Les Joutes".

Accommodation in Sète

Breakfast marks the end of your journey in the pleasant town of Sète, the largest French fishing port in the Mediterranean, also known for its beautiful beaches. This authentic town, full of pastel-colored houses with wrought iron balconies, is crossed by several connecting canals and the Thau basin. In the harbor you'll find an abundance of fish restaurants. Everything as fresh as possible!