Canal du Midi
Cycling along
France's historic canal
Approx. 210 kilometres
(extension to Toulouse
+ 3 nights, + 160 km)
|
Tour type |
- cycle touring |
|
Tour level |
-
easy |
Prices for this tour*:
7
day / 6 night tour
Self-guided
from 880 Euros per person
Guided from 1215 Euros per person
Or
10
day / 9 night tour
Self-guided
from 1270 Euros per person
Guided from
1560 Euros per person
*based on 2
people sharing a twin room
make an enquiry
The Canal du Midi is
undoubtedly 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 waterway is lined on both sides by more than a 100,000 100-year-old trees.
All along the 260 km / 160 miles of the canal situated in the South of France
and the 64 locks, you will come across authentic and varied landscapes.
Additionally, you
will visit exceptional places like 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 the fresh
Mediterranean air, look around you and feel totally relaxed on your bike. This promenade along the water's edge away from traffic will allow you
to meet local people and other tourists and to appreciate the wonderful
local cuisine.
Itinerary
|
Day |
Activity |
|
1 |
Arrival to Sète |
|
2 |
Sète – Agde / Cap d'Agde
Approx.
40 km |
|
3 |
Cap d'Agde - Bèziers
Approx.
35 km |
|
4 |
Bèziers - Narbonne
Approx.
50
km |
|
5 |
Narbonne - Homps
Approx.
45 km |
|
6 |
Homps - Carcassone
Approx. 50 km |
|
7 |
Departure from Carcassonne
or extension to Toulouse
Carcassonne – Castelnaudary
Approx. 50 km |
| 8 |
Castelnaudary – St. Ferréol lake - Castelnaudary
Approx.
50 km |
| 9 |
Castelnaudary – Toulouse
Approx. 55 km |
| 10 |
Departure from Toulouse |
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Description of itinerary
(subject to alterations):
|
Day |
Destination |
Ride Description |
|
1 |
Sète |
Sète
Individual arrival. |
|
2 |
Sète – Agde / Cap d'Agde
Approx.
40 km
|
Tour briefing at the hotel reception around 09.30 a.m. for more explanations on
the tour and distribution of bikes - if rented.
Ride
along the beach road to
Agde (visit the old town and the cathedral). Along
the beach cycling on
country lanes to
Cap d'Agde, a lovely village with an
old Roman church.
|
|
3 |
Cap d'Agde - Bèziers
Approx.
35 km |
Cycling along the
side of the
Canal du Midi to
reach the town
of
Beziers. Visit the old city and the
cathedral. |
|
4 |
Bèziers - Narbonne
Approx.
50
km |
Visit
Béziers, then via the bridge over the
river Orb arriving at the
7 Fonséranes locks. Continue along side roads and
country lanes past the celtic
Oppidum of
Ensérune and an imposing Gothic church in
Capestang. You continue
on quiet roads and paths through vineyards until arriving at
Narbonne.
|
|
5 |
Narbonne - Homps
Approx.
45 km |
Narbonne (visit the old town and its famous ancient monuments like the
archbishop's palace and gothic cathedral); then you ride along the
Canal de la Robine and
on quiet roads to the
Canal du Midi, and then to the little
village of
Homps. You dine and stay for the
night at the hotel on the canal bank.
|
|
6 |
Homps - Carcassone
Approx. 50 km |
Again following
the
Canal du Midi until you reach the fascinating,
historical city of
Carcassone, the
famous medieval walled town with its 2 circular
walls and huge medieval fortress, the largest in Europe.
|
|
7 |
Carcassonne |
Visiting the
village of
Carcassonne.
Individual
departure or extension (return transfer
available). |
|
Extension
to Toulouse |
| 7 |
Carcassonne – Castelnaudary
Approx. 50 km
|
Canal du MidiCastelnaudary
|
| 8 |
Castelnaudary – St. Ferréol lake - Castelnaudary
Approx.
50 km
|
Cycling along
quiet roads and paths to the heart of the Canal project, the St. Ferréol
lake in the black mountains (Montagne Noire). Discover
villages such as Revel with one of the nicest covered markets of France and back to
Castelnaudary.
|
| 9 |
Castelnaudary – Toulouse
Approx. 55 km |
Following along
the Canal du Midi to arrive in the heart of the vibrant city
of Toulouse.
|
| 10 |
Toulouse |
Individual departure
or extension
(return transfer available). |
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Route:
Flat,
sometimes slightly undulating (particularly
extension to the reservoir St. Férréol, extension to Toulouse), partially
paved, otherwise sandy and pebble pathways, and little-used roads.
Bikes:
Our country bikes have comfortable
saddles, special wheels, 18 gears or 7 gears with pedal breaks, lights,
mudguard, anti-theft device, luggage rack, 2 saddle-bags, bike stand and
puncture repair kit.
What's included - Self Guided option:
Self-Guided:
2010
Self-Guided:
Every
Sunday between 21/3 - 24/10/2010.
Arrival on another day, for 4 or more people, is possible.
Guided, min. 6 persons:
Sunday 28/03, 11/04, 25/04, 09/05, 23/05, 06/06, 20/06, 04/07, 18/7, 01/08,
15/08, 29/08, 12/09, 26/09, 10/10, 24/10.
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