Two canals will accompany you on this brand new and outstanding bike tour. Get on your bike in Mediterranean Montpellier and enjoy a two-week long cycling holiday along the Canal du Midi and the Canal de Garonne to elegant Bordeaux at the gate to the Atlantic Ocean. Experience the charm of southern France and discover a region that is famous for its gastronomic and enologic highlights. But that's for sure not all that this area has to offer. The fishermen's town Sète with its harbor and its countless canals, the erstwhile Cathar stronghold Béziers with its cathedral, Roman Narbonne with its Archbishop's Palast, Carcassonne and its 'Cité', the best preserved medieval fortress worldwide or Toulouse, the metropolis at the river bank of the Garonne River with the famous Capitol and its 'Space City'. This tour really has got something for everybody. So do not hesitate and enjoy an extensive bike tour in the heart of breathtaking nature in an area marked by agriculture and especially by wine growing. We from France-Bike are sure that you will not regret it.
Day 1: Montpellier
Individual arrival in Montpellier. At the reception you will receive your traveler documents.
Day 2: Montpellier > Sète, ~50 km
At 9:30am we will be at your hotel to adjust your rental bike and to give you all the necessary information about your tour. From the elegant city of Montpellier you will cycle along the Lez River on a bike path through a bird sanctuary to Palavas and the Mediterranean Sea. Then the way leads you along the Rhone-Sète Canal through the middle of a beautiful Lake District and finally to Frontignan-Plage and Sete.
Day 3: Sète > Beziers, ~58 km
This morning you should not forget to take your bathing togs. Because in the morning you ride along the beach on a perfect bike lane to Agde. Here you can visit the old town and the cathedral made of black stones. From here you follow the Canal du Midi to Beziers.
Day 4: Béziers > Narbonne, ~40 km
Via the bridge over the river Orb you reach the 7 locks at Fonséranes. Continue your ride along the canal, past the Celtic oppidum of Ensérune and an imposing Gothic church in Capestang. You continue on little roads and paths through the vineyards to Narbonne.
Day 5: Narbonne > Homps, ~39 km
Visit the old town of Narbonne and its famous ancient monuments like the archbishop’s palace and the Gothic cathedral. Then you ride along the Canal de la Robine and on little roads to the Canal du Midi, which leads you to the little village of Homps, or a little bit further on to La Redorte or Olonzac.
Day 6: Homps > Carcassonne, ~42 km
Today you continue to follow the Canal du Midi until you reach the fascinating, historical city of Carcassonne, the famous medieval walled town with its 2 circular walls and a huge medieval fortress, the largest one in Europe (World Heritage Site).
Day 7: Carcassonne > Castelnaudary, ~43 km
You continue to ride along the Canal du Midi to Castelnaudary, home town of the famous Cassoulet. The landscape changes and the vineyards are replaced by fields of sunflowers and corn. On the right side you can see the little mountain chain of the ‘Montagne Noir’, where the canal gets its water from.
Day 8: Castelnaudary > Toulouse, ~64 km
This is the last day that you ride along the Canal du Midi. Once more you enjoy the beautiful landscape and the nice, little villages that you are passing on your way to Toulouse. The Canal du Midi will accompany you until the very center of that beautiful city, so that you don’t need to mind any traffic. And your hotel in downtown Toulouse is only a few meters from the canal.
Day 9: Day off in Toulouse
This day is dedicated to discover Toulouse, the pink city at the river bank of the Garonne River. Take a stroll through the historic city center and visit the famous Capitol or the Gothic Cathedral St. Etienne. And for all those who love astronautics and technic we warmly recommend to visit ‘Space City’. But don’t fly out to far. You still got to pedal for some days.
Day 10: Toulouse > Moissac, ~64 km
You will start your cycling tour along the river in the "Haute Garonne" department. This peaceful 64-kilometer stage takes place on a safe, quiet greenway, always shaded by plane trees. The cycle path takes you as far as Montech and its unique water slope, one of the most beautiful work of art in Tarn-et-Garonne. Your itinerary then takes you to Moissac on a bicycle path alongside the Canal des Deux Mers and its barges. A small town set in a landscape dominated by orchards and AOC Chasselas grapevines, Moissac invites you to navigate between cultural tourism and green leisure activities.
Day 11: Moissac > Sérignac, ~60 km
This step is one of the prettiest as there are many points of interest : Lake Saint-Nicolas-de-la-Grave, Auvillar, canal bridge on la Baïse... The only tricky part is crossing Agen, the Prunes capital rich in its 2000 years of history, the city unveils its heritage through the medieval streets. Once on the cycle path, you will cross a succession of 3 locks to reach your destination of the day : Serignac-sur- Garonne. Bastide of the XIII century, its half-timbered houses and its “belfry tors” are unique in the South-West. The nautical port of Sérignac is a heaven of tranquility at the edge of the canal.
Day 12: Sérignac > Meilhan/Sigalens, ~55-60 km
Your bike holidays continue along this canal; there are plenty of opportunities to stop during this step “Le Mas d’Agenais” with its fortified rampart and the famous painting “Christ in the Cross” of Rembrandt or simply to have a picnic on the banks of the canal. Pedaling along the waterways, you will discover fabulous sites : The bastide of Damazan, Villeton and its nautical base continues in the rich valley of the Garonne and its orchards. This very pleasant itinerary, especially between Buzet and Meilhan-sur-Garonne, where you can be on your two wheels under large plane trees, will allow you to discover Buzet-sur-Baïse, and many other beautiful small towns.
Day 13: Meilhan/Sigalens > Sauveterre, ~25-55 km
The greenway is marvelous : it crosses alternatively little forests and vineyards. Despite a few small false flats, the path is really easy and offers a breath of fresh air.As this stage is a little shorter, you'll be able to take advantage of the many stops along the way. Cyclists will also discover some superb sites along the canals and locks such as Saint-Macaire and its vineyards, La Réole and its history.
Day 14: Sauveterre > Bordeaux, ~45-60 km
Your last stage leads to Bordeaux. Bordeaux, named before ‘Burdigala’, is a Roman city, inseparable from its vineyards and prestigious stones architecture. The river Garonne, heart of the city, welcomes walkers on the banks and offers boat trip. The quays suit everyone, hoping to witness the stop of a cruise ship, ‘amazing show’ of a giant of the seas in the city center. Capital of wine, Bordeaux is endowed with a rich history and architecture.
Day 15: Departure or extension of your bike tour