Wonderful bike trail Canal du Midi

7 days at France’s historic canal from Sete to Carcassonne.

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 Mediterranian 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. Look forward to this bicycle tour because this promenade along the water edge away from traffic will allow you to meet local people and other tourists and will allow you to appreciate the wonderful local cuisine as well.

1. day  Sète Arrival

Come early to Sète at the slopes of Mont St. Clair. The former island with the most important fishing harbour of the French Mediterranean offers an Old Town well worth seeing. Use your time, go for a stroll through the town, discover the harbour and dream of the wide world. (garage in the hotel, arrival by train and plane possible)

2. day  Cap d'Agde 40 km

After receiving the bikes in the morning you cycle on country roads to Agde, the second oldest town in France. The small picturesque fishing town has wonderful ancient entrances and its townscape is marked by the church St. Etienne from the 12th century (made of lava stone). Look forward to Cap d'Agde with long sandy beaches and bays, a real paradise for water lovers!

3. day  Béziers 35 km

On side roads along the Canal du Midi you cycle to Béziers today, a former wine trading centre. Béziers the second biggest town of the Herault is also known as "Sevilla of France" because of its bullfight. Comfortably stroll along the 600 m promenade "Allees Paul Riquet" and have a relaxed break in one of the numerous cafés and just follow the colourful happenings.

4. day  Narbonne 45 km

The channel bridge across the Orb river takes you to the sluice Fonséranes. On side roads and field tracks you roll through vineyards and reach Narbonne. On first glance, alone the mighty cathedral (one of the three largest in France) indicates the former importance of Narbonne in the world. Once it was an important harbour, the capital of the Provincia Romana Narbonensis, the most important town west of Rome; today it's a friendly city in the inland at the Canal de la Robine.

5. day  Homps 45 km

You leave Narbonne along the Canal de la Robine, until you reach the Canal du Midi again. Further on you come through beautiful villages to Homps, which just had an important upswing after building the channel, because its harbour was one of the few in which it was possible to turn the barges. Tonight you have dinner in a restaurant with an exquisite cuisine.

6. day  Carcassonne 45 km

At the Canal du Midi you cycle to Trébes, a picturesque village with a historic mill. Roll on through small villages to Carcassonne, the biggest medieval fortified town of Europe. The double ring of big, massive pinnacle embattled walls is 3 m in caliber and is a memorable sight with its 52 mighty towers.

7. day  Carcassonne Departure

Today your wonderful bike journey along the Canal du Midi ends. By bus or train you can quickly get back to Sète.