Canal du Midi Cycle

On arrival in Toulouse, make your way to the joining hotel. One of France’s largest cities, Toulouse has a rich heritage. It is charming and cosmopolitan with its distinctive rose-red brick buildings, and is also the centre of the European aerospace industry (you can take a tour of Airbus - pre-booking recommended). Take time to visit some of the city's great sites including St Sernin church, the largest Romanesque church in France, ‘Capitole’ square, and numerous other examples of fine architecture. Overnight in Toulouse.

Toulouse is where the ‘Canal du Midi’ begins. Leaving town via the Riquet bridge and cycling along the canal, you'll enter the pastel-coloured country of Lauragais. Take a break in Avignonet, the centre of the battles during the Albigensian crusades with lots of medieval remains, statues of crusaders and enormous churches. The highest point of the canal is at the foot of the Montagne Noire - this is the Seuil de Naurouze (watershed), the strategic point of the Canal du Midi that separates the Atlantic and Mediterranean basins. You then drop down to Castelnaudary. This region is particularly famous for its gastronomy, especially Cassoulet. Overnight in Castelnaudary. (Monday is market day here.) 129m/423ft ascent, 95m/312ft descent

Today's cycle takes you through the heart of Cathar country. 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, and the cornfields change to vineyards. You'll pass age old villages and waterworks including Béteil and the Lalande lock, examples of Riquet’s ingenuity. You can also stop at the Cugarel mill, Villepinte dam and the Rebenty aqueduct. Finally you reach Carcassonne, with its medieval upper town and the Bastide St Jean situated lower. Carcassonne is a highlight of the tour. You should plan to spend some time exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site citadel. The towpath along this stage is quite uneven. From Bram to Carcassonne the route is not specifically laid out for cyclists, but the hardened earth track is fairly easy to cycle along. 66m/216ft ascent, 102m/334ft descent

After visiting Carcassonne you return to the peace and quiet of the Canal. Along the cycle path today you can admire the bridge at Orbiel, the overflow of canal water at Argendouble and the 12th century church Saint Etienne at Trebes. Take a rest in the Gallic village of Marseillette and walk over to Capendu (just over 2km) to view the remains of the 13th century Roman chapel. Continue through undulating vineyards to your destination of Homps/Olonzac. Note, from Marseillette to Homps the cycle route is rough at times along a stretch of towpath that has not been laid out specifically for cyclists. 49m/160ft ascent, 138m/453ft descent

From the lock at Argens you'll follow a winding path along the hillside to the hamlet of Le Somail, where you can take a break and visit the old library. Continue along the Canal de la Robine to Capestang with its collegiate church, visible from afar. From the tower there are views of the sea and a nearby 14th century castle. Cycling once again you will pass some Gallo-Roman remains, the village of Poilhes la Romaine and ancient hill town of Oppidum d'Ensérune. You can also admire the Malpas tunnel and the nine locks of Foncerannes en route to the township of Béziers, known particularly for wine and bullfighting. You can enjoy great views from the cathedral. There are a few short stretches on roads with traffic today that require you to cycle with care, between Roubia to beyond Ventenac before you reach Le Somail. The towpath track you take between Samail and Capestang is of uneven quality. The track along the towpath between Capestang and Béziers is not specially laid out for cyclists and is rough in patches. 153m/502ft ascent, 139m/456ft descent

Although the sea is not yet visible, you can sense it. The landscape becomes flatter and you will encounter dunes, swamps and lagoons. In this coastal region you will pass the unique Pont Bache du Libron and the round lock of Agde. At Agde you cross the Herault river and head towards the Thau Lagoon. The Canal du Midi ends at the lighthouse in Onglous. From Marseillan you cycle alongside the beach to Sete, the last stop on your cycle trip. Sete is a major fishing port and is well know for its beaches. We recommend visiting the large covered market, and there are many seafood restaurants near the harbour. The first part of the stage makes for easy cycling on the towpath to the Roque Haute bridge. Later, between Agde and neighbouring Marseillan-Plage, the route requires some care. 50m/164ft ascent, 112m/367ft descent

Your trip concludes in Sète after breakfast. If you'd like to stay an extra night, please ask for our rates.