Canal du Midi: from Toulouse to the Mediterranean

Europe's most beautiful canal.

Undoubtedly, the Canal du Midi in southern France is Europe's most beautiful canal. And the French are rightly proud of their UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then as now, the Canal du Midi winds its way over 260 km with 64 locks through magnificent landscapes, through the famous wine-growing region of the Minervois and through villages where time seems to have stood still. In the 19th century, about 60,000 trees, mostly plane trees but also poplars, cypresses and pines, were planted to the right and left of the canal to protect the animals from the sun and for the dike reinforcement. Today, cycling under plane trees in bright sunshine is pure enjoyment. Experience southern French hospitality and explore the rich heritage of the region by bike and on foot. Discover Carcassonne with the most powerful medieval double fortification in Europe (world cultural heritage), Narbonne with its archbishop's palace, Gothic cathedral and Roman underground storage facilities, the historic old town of Béziers with its Roman bridge, the Greek Agde with its Romanesque fortified church made of basalt rock and finally the lively port and fishing town of Sète. Look forward to this unique cycle route, enjoy the sun of the south and the culinary delights of the French cuisine.

1. day Toulouse Arrival

It is worth arriving early because Toulouse is also known as the "ville rose" (red city) due to the reddish stone of many buildings. Marvel at the mighty Basilica St-Sernin de Toulouse and taste duck breast with green beans, a culinary specialty.

2. day Toulouse - Castelnaudary ca. 60 km

You will start your first day of cycling in a relaxed way, because you will soon reach the Canal du Midi. Along the beautiful banks under shade-giving trees, through which the sun peeps, you cycle to Castelnaudary, once the "city of mills". Of the former 32 mills, only a few remain, but the town exudes typical southern French flair. Stroll through the small center and along the colorful harbor. Famous for the place, untel today, is the "Cassoulet", a hearty bean stew.

3. day Castelnaudary - Carcassonne ca. 40 km

The idyllic cycling route along the Canal du Midi tempts you to stroll and dream, but your destination Carcassonne, one of the largest medieval fortified cities in Europe, beckons. Marvel at the double ring of large massive crenellated walls. The ring measures 3 km in diameter and is an unforgettable sight with its 52 mighty towers.

4. day Carcassonne – Olonzac / Homps ca. 45 km

Wonderfully idyllic you roll along the Canal du Midi. You will pass through charming little towns and several locks. Observe the hustle and bustle at the locks and greet the many leisure captains on their houseboats. Look forward to Olonzac in the wine-growing region of Minervois, you will be thrilled. Until today the winegrowing characterizes the place, many wine merchants are waiting for your visit.

5. day Olonzac / Homps – Narbonne ca. 45 km

In no time you are back at the Canal du Midi, where you are welcomed by the picturesque village of Homps with the third largest harbor of the canal. You will roll to Narbonne with pleasure. Marvel at the unfinished Saint Just et Saint Pasteur Cathedral, Saint Paul Basilica and the Palace of the Archbishops. Stroll through the city - it's worth it!

6. day Narbonne - Béziers ca. 45 km

The Canal du Midi leads you to the charming village of Capestang today. Enjoy a coffee at the market place and let yourself be fascinated by this medieval town before you cycle on to Béziers. The town is the birthplace of Paul Riquet, builder of the Canal du Midi and center of the wine trade. It is also known as the "Seville of France" because of its bullfights. Enjoy the small town and the impressive 600 m long magnificent promenade, the archbishop's palace and the cathedral.

7. day Béziers - Sète ca. 65 km

Up to Agde with its closed medieval townscape you roll comfortably along the Canal du Midi. Slowly you will notice that the air is getting saltier as you reach the Mediterranean coast with its wide white beaches. Look forward to Sète, which is almost completely surrounded by water and is called "Little Venice of the Languedoc". Enjoy the flair of the maritime city and stroll along the restaurant mile at the water, where many restaurants tempt you to stop for a bite to eat.

8. day Departure Sète

After varied days you will reach the Mediterranean Sea. We are happy to book additional nights for you. If you would like to return to Toulouse, you can book our practical return transfer in a minibus.

Worthknowing things about the Canal du Midi Tour

Below you will find specific information about the Canal du Midi Tour from Toulouse. If you have any further questions about this trip, just give us a call: Tel: +49 6421 - 886890.

Arrival by train

Toulouse can be reached by train from all major cities in Germany. The best way to reach our partner hotel in Toulouse from the train station is a short cab ride. Current timetable information and price information can be found conveniently at www.bahn.de.

Train Connections

Parking facilities at the arrival hotel

Sufficient parking spaces are available in a parking garage near the starting hotel (costs approx. 16.00 € per day).

Condition of the cycle paths

You cycle on flat, slightly hilly cycle paths, which are only partly asphalted. Most of the stages are on narrow sandy and gravel paths as well as on roads with little traffic.

Available rental bikes

If you prefer a rental bike for the tour, we will bring it to your starting hotel and of course pick it up at your destination. You can choose between 7-speed bikes with coaster brake or 21-speed gear bikes with shift and freewheel (both unisex and men's bikes). Furthermore, 8-speed e-bikes with coaster brake (all unisex) are available on request. You simply indicate your bike wish when booking.

Return transfer to the starting hotel

The return transfer is bookable on Saturday or Monday from Sète for 85,00 € per person. A reservation is required at the time of booking, a maximum of 6 people can be transported. The payment will be made on the spot. For the return transport of your own bike we charge 19,00 € extra.

Extra costs which are not included in the price

A possibly applicable city tax is not part of the travel price and therefore has to be paid at the hotel locally.

7 day hotline service

In case of chain breakdown, flooding or other bad surprises that makes a continuation of your tour impossible: no problem, we also work during weekends and you can reach us 7 days a week in case of emergency.

Passport and visa requirements

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Canal du Midi

In 1667 the construction of the "Canal Royal" began, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site as Canal Du Midi. Along the canal, on a stretch of 240 km between Toulouse and Séte, more than 350 structures such as locks, bridges and aqueducts were built. Some of them have remained unchanged to this day. The six-step lock staircase near Béziers is a highlight with a height difference of a good 14m. The canal tunnel, which is a little further upstream and runs for a good 160m through the hill of Ensérune, and the bridge that leads the canal in Béziers straight over the river Orb, are also exceptional. It is hardly surprising that the Canal Du Midi is one of the most popular travel routes in the south of France.

Toulouse

Toulouse is also called la ville rose - "pink city" - because of its numerous buildings made of red bricks. Well-known sights of the city are the Romanesque basilica Saint-Sernin (11th - 12th centuries), which is one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in southern France, and the Gothic cathedral Saint Etienne.

Toulouse

Castelnaudary

Castelnaudary between Carcassonne and Toulouse was built around a castle in the 12th century.
Castelnaudary is also known as the city of cassoulet - a must-try duck stew with white beans.

Cassoulet

Carcassonne

The city was founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC. Founded in BC and today is one of the best preserved fortified towns in Europe. The restored old town with its well-preserved double city wall was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

Carcassonne

Cathedral Narbonne

Narbonne Cathedral is a former Roman Catholic cathedral. It was elevated to the status of a national monument in France. With its choir height of 41 meters, it is one of the highest in France.

Kathedrale Narbonne

Bèziers

Béziers is the birth town of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the builder of the Canal Du Midi. The city seduces with a fantastic view over the cathedral of Nazaire, as well as the river Orb and the bridge Pont Vieux. The Béziers promenade is inviting and adorned with plantations, boutiques and cozy street cafes.

Béziers

Sète

Sète is surrounded by water on practically all sides and is therefore also known as the "Little Venice of Languedoc". The center of the city is the Canal Royal (King's Canal). Stylistically, the city is a mixture of Mediterranean styles with a clear Italian accent.

Sète