Canal du Midi cycling tour - France

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1 S-CAPE TRAVEL - INFO@S-CAPETRAVEL.EU - TELEPHONE style : level : duration : comfort : period: code: E-BIKES CYCLING Selfguided 7 days Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct FRSB660 Canal du Midi cycling tour - France From Toulouse to Sète 7 days, Price On request From Toulouse you follow the footsteps of the famous French " Canal architect" Paul Riquet. A relaxed, well marked track takes you through the agricultural area of Lauragais and the vineyards of Minervois. The ingeniously constructed winding "Canal du Midi", included in Unesco s heritage, is your umbrageous guide. There is a lot to be enjoyed on the way along this large scale water work : antique boats, dozens of oval shaped locks of various sizes, age old villages, gastronomic surprises and beautiful towns like Carcassonne. The end of the trip is the azure blue sea, in the charming town of Sète. Canal des Deux Mers - from Bordeaux to Sète - 12 days Do you want to cover in 12 days the complete route from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean? Combine the routes "Canal du Midi" and "Canal de la Garonne". You start in Bordeaux and finish in Sète. See for more information: "Canal des Deux Mers" - From the Atlantic ocean to the Mediterranean. Route Day 1 Arrival in Toulouse You individually travel to the pink Toulouse, cosmopolitan and cultural town where red bricks are a characteristic feature. Visit the lively centre with its many fine restaurants. Discover monumental treasures, like the Place du Capitol, St. Sernin s Cathedral and the Couvent des Jacobins, a beautiful 13th century Dominican Monastery. Day 2 From Toulouse to Castelnaudary (64 km) Leave town via the Paul Riquet bridge and cycle along the Canal du Midi with its characteristic barges. You enter the pastel coloured country of Lauragais. Take a break in Avignonet, the centre of the battles during the Albegenic crusades with lots of medieval remains, statues of crusaders and enormous churches. At the foot of the Montagne Noir you find the highest point in the canal. This is the Narouze watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. You go down to Castelnaudary, maybe to have a real authentic cassoulet later on.

2 Day 3 From Castelnaudary to Carcassonne (43 km) Surrounded by the Montagne Noir in the east and the Pyrenees in the south west you cycle, via an original, thousand- year-old tow path to the river harbour of Bram. Bricks make way for stones, cornfields turn into vineyards. You pass age old villages and waterworks like Béteil and the Lalande lock that show Paul Riquet s ingenuity. Also stop at the Cugarel mill, the Villepinte dam and the Rebenty aqueduct. Finally you reach Carcassonne, consisting of a medieval upper town and the Bastide St. Jean situated lower. Day 4 From Carcassonne to Homps or Olonzac (42 km) After fabulous Carcassonne go back to the peaceful quiet of the Canal surrounded by imposing planes. 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 undulating vineyards you reach your destination. Day 5 From Homps or Olonzac to Béziers (62 km) After the lock of Argens you follow the winding path along the hillside to Le Somail. Take a break here in the old library. After that you cycle along the Canal de la Robine to Capestang with its collegiate church, already visible from afar. From the tower you see the sea and the 14th century castle nearby. En route again you pass the Gallo-Roman remains: the village Poilhes la Romaine and the Oppidum d Ensérune. Also admire the Malpas tunnel and the 9 locks of Foncérannes. They are evidence of the brilliance of the architect Paul Riquet, whose native village, the historic Béziers, is your destination today. Day 6 From Béziers to Sète (50 km) Although the sea isn t visible yet you can smell it. The landscape gets flatter and forms a mosaic of dunes, swamps and wide lagoons. It s the habitat of the egrets that strut among horses and cattle. In this coastal region, looking like the 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 in the direction of the Thau lagoon. At the lighthouse in Onglous the Canal du Midi ends. In Marseillan you finally cycle along the beach to Sète and maybe you get a glimpse of the traditional water joust Les Joutes. Day 7 Departure from Sète Breakfast marks the end of your trip in the pleasant town of Sète, the biggest French fishing port, also well known for its beautiful beaches. This authentic town, full of pastel coloured houses with wrought iron balconies, is crossed by several connecting canals and the Thau Basin. In the harbour you find an abundance of fish restaurants. Everything as fresh as can be! A visit to the large covered market is really worth-wile. Here you can buy anything that has to do with food and drink and the products are displayed wonderfully.

3 Accommodation All accommodations are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. We choose comfortable 2*/3* hotels or B&Bs where all rooms have private en-suite bathroom and every morning breakfast are included. For more comfort, when it's possible we can upgrade the hotels with 3/4 * category (supplement applied). Hôtel Cascogne** (Toulouse) 'comfort' The hotel has soundproofed rooms with private bathrooms. It is located in the city center 1.5 km from Place du Capitole. The property has a bar and offers free Wi-Fi and affordable parking. A continental breakfast buffet in the morning, in the breakfast room or in your room. Hôtel du Canal** (Castelnaudary) 'comfort' Located on the Canal du Midi with terrace overlooking the water. Soundproofed rooms, with private bathroom, overlooking garden or canal. Free WIFI. Continental breakfast, with yoghurt, cheeses and French pastries. Restaurants can be found within 200 meters. Bicycle storage available, and for a surcharge, use of secure garage. Hôtel du Pont Vieux** (Carcassonne) 'comfort' Ideally located at the foot of the fortified city of Carcassonne and located in an 18th century building. It offers rooms with views of the city towers or the garden. On sunny days, the continental breakfast is served on the terrace. Packed lunches can also be prepared for you. Very friendly staff. B&B Le jardin d'homps (Homps) This accommodation has 5 spacious de-luxe rooms, all with a view on our lush garden. All rooms have extra long beds (2.10 mtrs) and can be booked as double (one large bed) or twin Hôtel des Poètes** (Béziers) 'comfort' In the middle of the old center of Béziers looking over the Parc des Poètes with its ponds, swans and statues. Located 1 km from the cathedral and only 200 meters from the train station. Rooms are decorated in a contemporary style. Free WIFI. In the morning continental breakfast and free bicycle rack. Hôtel L'Orque Bleue*** (Sète) 'comfort plus' A 19th century building in typical Hausmann style with a very convenient location along the Royal Canal. Near the city center. A combination of historic charm and a range of facilities. Comfortable rooms with private bathroom, some with king size bed. Bar available. Practical info You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between May and October.

4 The closest airports to the Canal du Midi are Toulouse (TLS) and Béziers (BZR). Arrival in Toulouse Flying to Toulouse ariport (TLS): From Toulouse airport there is an Airport shuttlebus (every 20 min) to the city center. Flying to Béziers airport (BZR): If you're flying to Béziers, you can connect to Toulouse by train (several direct services a day). Departure from Sète At the end of your trip you can get the train from Sète, back to Toulouse or Béziers. NOTE: If you're travelling with your own bicycle, you can take your bike on the train for free, but reservations are necessary on certain trains ( If you're travelling by car, it's advisable to park in Toulouse or Sète and take the train back. Ask us for parking facilities. Solid Dutch touring bicycles or sporty French trekking bikes, with 21/24 gears (Shimano parts), repair kit, lock, pump, front/back panniers and map carrier. E-bike rental (electric bikes) GPS tracks are available on request.

5 Included Included 6 nights in selected 2/3* hotels 6 breakfasts Luggage transfers Tourist city taxes Detailed information pack, route notes and maps 24/7 Bilingual Emergency hotline Not included Travel insurance Transport to first and from last accommodation Trains, busses or any transport wherever necessary Other Lunches & Dinners Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, additional transfers, etc Hybrid bike rental Extras Single Room Supplement Solo Traveller Supplement Upgrade Supplement hotels 3/4 Additional nights Transfer from the train station to your hotel Transfer back from your last accommodation Hybrid bike rental E-bike supplement