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+33 (0)4 75 25 78 79
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The Canal du Midi by bike

Pedal from barge to lock along this internationally renowned canal
Quotation Book
  • Duration 7 days
  • Activity Biking
  • Holiday among adults
  • Theme rivers and canals, countryside, wineries
925€

Information : The Canal du Midi by bike

  • Comfort
  • Difficulty
  • Note
  • Roadbooks French / English
  • G.DESCHAMPS - Aude Pays Cathare
  • Joël DAMASE - CRTL Occitanie
  • CRTL Occitanie
  • Céline Guérin - CRTL Occitanie

Presentation

From the Pink City to the Thau Archipelago, via the city of Carcassonne, come and discover the Canal du Midi and its 63 locks for a week of serenity. The Canal du Midi by bike, renowned both in France and internationally, has everything to seduce: shady banks lined with plane trees, flower-filled bridges and picturesque villages line the canal, and the tranquil atmosphere of the barges cruising along the river brings a touch of the exotic and a definite air of vacation! Enjoy a stroll along the water's edge while appreciating the ingenuity of the locks, all in a peaceful atmosphere and sunny climate. And of course, take the time to discover the local gastronomy: cassoulet is king here!

Looking for a shorter escape? Discover our stay : The Canal du Midi by bike in 4 days

You'll love

  • The peace and beauty of the Canal du Midi
  • The flat itinerary
  • Local gastronomy
  • Discover the fortified city of Carcassonne 
  • Numerous stops along the way for refreshments and snacks
  • Our personalized guidance application
Discover the application

Program : The Canal du Midi by bike

  • D1 Arrival in Toulouse

    You arrive at your hotel in Toulouse at the end of the day. Take time to visit the pink city and its 2000 years of history.

    Dinner and overnight in a 3* hotel.

  • D2 Cycling from Toulouse to Castelnaudary

    65 km - Duration about 4h30

    On your first day on a bike, you'll wind your way along the canals, admiring the barges swaying to the rhythm of the current. These 1st pedal strokes allow you to tame your mount on the towpaths, in the shade of centuries-old plane trees. From lock to lock, you arrive in Castelnaudary, the capital of Cassoulet, via its outer harbor and large basin.

    Dinner and overnight in a 3* hotel with swimming pool.

  • D3 Cycling from Castelnaudary to Carcassonne

    53 km - Duration about 3h30 

    Continue your cycling trip on the Canal du Midi, towards Carcassonne. Still well shaded, this part of the tour is a real pleasure. Take time to enjoy the scenery and soak up the atmosphere. The few bridges on your route seem barely big enough for barges to pass over, yet the pleasure boaters, accustomed to this waterway, steer their boats masterfully without fear.

    Dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse or 3* hotel within walking distance of the walled town.

  • D4 Cycling from Carcassonne to Ginestas

    63 km - Duration about 4h15

    As you leave the medieval town, the path becomes less stable and you soon find yourself in a wilderness atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. This stage will allow you to discover the charms of the region, between the Minervois vineyards and the small villages typical of the Occitan landscape.

    Dinner and overnight stay in a charming guesthouse in the heart of the village.

  • D5 Cycling from Ginestas to Béziers

    43 km - Duration about 3h

    The landscape becomes even wilder, and you'll sometimes find yourself on narrow dirt roads. On this part of the tour, you'll feel like you're alone in the world, surrounded by reeds and vineyards. The picturesque villages you pass through give you the opportunity to stop for an ice cream or a refreshing drink. The atmosphere is one of pétanque and reading in the shade of the trees: a rejuvenating stage! The arrival in Béziers via the 9 locks is sure to leave a lasting impression!

    Dinner and overnight stay in a charming 3* hotel.

    Possibility of accommodation in a guest house with swimming pool (contact us).

  • D6 Cycling from Béziers to Sète

    50 km - Duration about 3h15 

    A change of scenery for this last day of cycling. As you move away from Béziers, you get closer to the sea, and it's only a matter of time before the sea air tickles your nose! The terrain becomes steadier again, and after a final straight stretch along the beach, you're at your final stop. 

    Dinner and overnight stay in a historic 3* hotel in Sète.

  • D7 Breakfast and transfer to Toulouse

    After breakfast, leave your rental bikes at the hotel and head to Sète station for a train to Toulouse to pick up your vehicle.

    If you arrive by public transport, we can adapt this service to your needs.

    We hope you enjoy your Canal du Midi cycling adventures!

Tariffs

Daily departures from April 14th to October 15th

In family room

Adult : 870  €
Teenager (12 - 17 yo)* : 870 €
Baby (0 - 1 yo) : 60 €

In double room

Adult : 925 €
Teenager (12 - 17 yo) :  925 €
Baby (0 - 1 yo) : 60 €

In single room

1240 €

Solo traveller

1330 €

*Rates based on a room shared with two adults. Single-parent families, please contact us.

What's included ?

  • 5 nights and breakfasts in guesthouses and 3* hotels
  • 1 night half-board in a 3* hotel
  • Luggage transport
  • Return train ticket between Sète and Toulouse
  • Travel file via the ‘Safrantours’ guidance application
  • Technical and logistical assistance

Optional

  • Bike rental with insurance included from :
    • Hybrid bike (over 1m45): 160 €
    • E-bikes  (over 1m45) : 235 €
    • Baby seat : 30 €
  • Secure parking for your vehicle (reservation strongly recommended): around €90 to be paid on site

What's not included ?

  • Lunches and dinners (except dinner on day 2)
  • Drinks and extras
  • Return trip from your home to the first accommodation on the route
  • Optional insurance

Characteristics of circuits

  • Cycling tour
  • Type of roads : Cycle paths, vineyard/agricultural tracks and quiet country roads
  • Type of bike required: mountain bikes (electric bikes recommended)

Organisation

  • Our self-guided tours are more about discovery than sport. Your luggage is transported from accommodation to accommodation by us, and a route booklet accompanies you throughout your cycling vacation. We also provide logistical and technical assistance.
  • Accommodation (** and *** hotels) has been chosen for its atmosphere, quality of welcome, architecture and environment.

N.B.: the accommodations described above are given for information only and are subject to change according to availability at the time of final booking.

Access

By car

Highway A20 : Paris / Toulouse, exit 30 - A62 to Toulouse

By air

Toulouse airport

By train

Toulouse train station

Comments

Global note
5.0

  • Thank you all for a wonderful trip.

    Translate from french

  • Great trip with Safrantours. The canal is wild and beautiful and the hotels worthy of princesses. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

    Translate from french

  • Very satisfied with our stay along the Canal du Midi.

    Translate from french

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The Canal du Midi by bike
I agree to receive newsletters from Safran Tours
The General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR, or RGPD in French - is the new regulation that determines how businesses may handle customers’ computerised personal data. In accordance with the provisions of French legislation, namely Act No. 78-17 of 6th January 1978 as amended variously up to, we inform you that the personal data you provide will be computerized and treated with the utmost confidentiality. Only authorized persons may access your data and this for strictly internal purposes. You have the right to access, correct or delete information about yourself by simply contacting us at reservations@safrantours.com *