Cycle Canal du Midi & Garonne

Today you travel to Bordeaux by train, plane or car and settle into your comfortable centrally located hotel. Simple public transport connections (tram or shuttle) are available here. We recommend arriving relatively early to have the chance to explore Bordeaux, a very pleasant city on the Garonne River.

Accommodation in Bordeaux

Your first route takes you quickly out of the city, via a cycle path on the right bank of the Garonne. In Latresne you turn north, to follow a converted railway. At the Romanesque monastery in La Sauve you turn south on quiet paved lanes to reach the town of Cadillac and your hotel (with pool), located below the impressive 18th century "Chateau de Cadillac".

Accommodation in Cadillac

Today you cycle on winding inland roads to avoid the busy road between Cadillac and Saint Macaire. You will need to make some climbs, but an unbeatable landscape awaits: impressive estates, vineyards and small typically French villages. After a visit to Bastide de St Macair you cross the Garonne to the beginning of "la véloroute des Deux Mers" - your cycle route "between two seas". Accommodation at a charming chambre d'hôtes in Meilahn-sur-Garonne, or a little further inland in Marcellus.

Accommodation in Meilahn-sur-Garonne or Marcellus

Today you follow the Canal de la Garonne, cycling on the flat landscape from Meilhan-sur-Garonne all the way to Agen. Enjoy the shade from ancient plane trees and take time to make small detours along the way. Enjoy a cup of coffee on the beautiful town square in Damazan, with its fortress and historic arcades. Another stop could be Tonneins, worth the 10 km detour for its lovely square by the Garonne shore and a large selection of restaurants, cafés and shops.

Accommodation in Agen

After leaving the city of Agen you will continue along the canal to Valence d'Agen, another beautiful town, with curious round washhouses. Your last stage is again peaceful, as you fully enjoy the landscape on your way to the historic town of Moissac, a UNESCO World Heritage site and important stop on the 'Chemin de Saint Jacques' coming from Geneva, with the 11th century monastery of Saint Pierre and its fantastic cloister.

Accommodation in Moissac

Via the beautiful Pont-Canal du Cacor you cross the river Tarn and reach Castelsarrasin with its small port and the 12th century Belleperche monastery. In the shade of old plane trees you now follow an uninterrupted, quiet track to the center of Toulouse. The last kilometers from this "pink" city are somewhat noisier. There is much to see along the way: the water slope at Montech, the special Ponts-Jumeaux and the intersection of three canals. After Grisoles with its brick houses you reach the historic Castelnau-d'Estrétefonds. From here you can, if you wish, cover the last 25 km of this "Canal de la Garonne" route by train.

Accommodation in Toulouse

You leave Toulouse via the Paul Riquet bridge and cycle along the Canal du Midi, with its typical river barges. You cycle into the pastel-colored Lauragais countryside. Take a break in Avignonet, center of the battles during the Albigensian Crusades with its many medieval remains, statues of crusaders and enormous churches. At the foot of Montagne Noire you find the canal's highest point (190 m). This is the Narouzes watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. You descend to Castelnaudary perhaps to enjoy an authentic 'cassoulet' later.

Accommodation in Castelnaudary

Surrounded by Montagne Noire to the east and the Pyrenees to the southwest, you cycle via an original, thousand-year-old towpath to the river port of Bram. Brick gives way to stone and grain fields to vineyards. You pass ancient villages and waterworks that are evidence of Paul Riquet's ingenuity, such as the Bétel and Lalande locks. Also stop at the Cugarel mill, the Villepinte dam and the Rebente aqueduct. Finally you reach Carcassonne, which consists of the medieval upper town (Unesco heritage) and Bastide Saint-Jean located somewhat lower.

Accommodation in Carcassonne

After fantastic Carcassonne you return to the peaceful silence of the "Canal" surrounded by impressive sycamores/plane trees. Admire the bridge at Orbiel, the overflow for excess canal water at Argendouble and the 12th century church in the river port of Trèbes. The very doors of this church, supported by 320 oak brackets, are worth a visit. If you can, stop at the Gallic village near Marseillette and take a walk to Capendu with its Roman chapel. Through rolling vineyards you reach your destination.

Accommodation in Hompz/Olonzac

Follow, after the lock of Argens on the way to Le Somail, a winding track along the slope. Take a break here at the old library. Then cycle along the Canal de la Robine to Capestang with its collegiate church already visible from afar. Here from the tower you can see the sea and the nearby 14th century castle. On the way you again pass Gallo-Roman remains: the village of Poilhes la Romaine and Oppidum d'Ensérune. Also admire the Malpas tunnel and the nine Foncérannes locks.

Accommodation in Béziers

Although the sea is not visible, you can smell it. The landscape becomes flatter and it is a mosaic of sand dunes, marshes and wide lagoons. It is the habitat of herons that wade among horses and cattle. In this coastal region, like the Camargue, you pass the unique "Pont bâche du Libron" and Agde Round Lock. In Agde with its "dark" cathedral you cross the Hérault on your way to the Thau lagoon. At Onglous lighthouse the Canal du Midi ends. In Marseillan you finally cycle along the beach to Sète and you can catch a glimpse of the traditional water sport "Les Joutes".

Accommodation in Sète

After breakfast your journey ends in pleasant Sète, the largest French fishing port on the Mediterranean coast, 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 lagoon. In the harbor you will find an abundance of fish restaurants. Everything as fresh as possible. A visit to the covered market is also worthwhile. Here everything in food and drink can be bought and displayed in a fantastic way.