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Canal du Midi by bike from Carcassonne to Sète

5 days / 3 days riding  / ref. CM2 / Difficulty Easy / Linear trip
from 590 €
per person

Your Canal du Midi bicycle tour :

The ‘canal du Midi’, architect Pierre-Paul Riquet’s masterpiece, is the most famous water canal in Europe for its amazing measurements and for its peaceful surroundings. The idea of digging this channel linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean sea dates back to Antiquity but it was under Louis the 14th’s reign that it has been built.

Along the channel, discover the countryside landscapes and farms of the ‘Laugarais’ area, the gentle slopes sprinkled with vineyards, the chateaux of the Aude area and the city of Carcassonne up to the Mediterranean beaches.

View trip map

Tour highlights

  • The Minervois and its vine-clad slopes
  • The medieval city of Carcassonne, World Heritage Site by UNESCO
  • And at the end of the towpath … the beach

Departure days: MONDAY & TUESDAY


Departure possible on other days: with extra charge.

Day 1Arrival in Carcassonne


Take the time to visit Carcassonne and its impressive medieval city. Classified as world heritage by UNESCO, you can admire one of the most beautiful fortifications of Europe.

Day 2Carcassonne – Homps (or nearby) | 42 km


Between Aude river and the canal, follow the rhythm of the stream, punctuated with pine and plane trees always offering a fresh environment. Each village hides a treasure to discover ; by the way do not forget to visit the canal bridge of Orbiel and the Argent-Double aqueduct.

Day 3Homps (or nearby) – Béziers | 63 km


Cross charming and typical small villages such as Paraza and Le Somail. Then, you find a winding canal, bordered of olive-trees and vines, before reaching the animated port of Capestang. After the Malpas’s tunnel, you can admire the cascade of the 9 locks of Fonsérannes before aching Béziers.

Day 4Béziers – Sète | 50 km


Head for the Mediterranean! Along a pleasant cycle path, the canal guides you to Sète and its southern ambience. First you reach Agde, then the Etang de Thau, where the Canal du Midi empties. You’ll reach Sète riding along the Mediterranean beaches.

Day 5Departure during the day


The little extra with Biking France (optional):


  • Private return transfer from Sète to Carcassonne – on request.

Select your category

category Standard
category superior

Your accommodation

These hotels offer all the comfort and well-earned rest after a cycling day (private bathroom). A perfect place to enjoy all the centres of interest around.
These hotels provide charming services on high quality as well as a great location.
Pictures for indicative purposes. Depending on the availability.
Including :

• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
• 1 dinner (drinks not included)
• Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
• Equipped cycle rental for 3 days
• A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• 3 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
• Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
• Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
• Single room supplement (4 nights included)
• Transfer from Sète to Carcassonne and personal bike repatriation

Including :

• 4 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
• 1 dinner (drinks not included)
• Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
• Equipped cycle rental for 3 days
• A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• 3 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
• Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
• Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
• Single room supplement (4 nights included)
• Transfer from Sète to Carcassonne and personal bike repatriation

Children discount :from 0 to 2 years old : - 90%
from 3 to 11 years old : - 20%
from 12 to 15 years old : - 10%

(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )

VTC TREKKIN bike - 21 speed gears

(bike included in this tour)

A bike that favors an upright, comfortable position, ideal for leisure riding.

OPEN frame, until 1m83
CLOSED frame, from 1m83

  • 1 rear pannier
  • 1 front pannier with a map holder
  • 1 repair kit
  • 1 smartphone holder
  • 1 lock
  • 1 bottle cage

Helmet not provided.

SCOTT Sub Sport 20 - 27 speed gears (or similar)

A “sport” bike that favors a more athletic position and riding style.

OPEN frame, until 1m83
CLOSED frame, from 1m83

  • 1 rear pannier
  • 1 front pannier with a map holder
  • 1 repair kit
  • 1 smartphone holder
  • 1 lock
  • 1 bottle cage

Helmet not provided.

MOUSTACHE e-bike

OPEN frame

  • 1 rear pannier
  • 1 front pannier with a map holder
  • 1 repair kit
  • 1 smartphone holder
  • 1 lock

Helmet not provided.

(These models of e-bikes may be replaced by another one, similar)

Practical details

Bikes will be delivered at the 1st hotel.

At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at your hotel, we will pick them up.

Your travel appYour journeyHow to arrive in CarcassonneReturn

Your travel app

You’ll have personalized access to our travel app, which you can download onto your smartphone.
This app includes all your cycling stages, tourist and practical content, as well as your accommodation. The application will guide you along your route, like a GPS, during your cycling stages.

In addition to the app, you’ll receive a complete digital roadbook by email, including color maps of your stages.
If you would like a printed version of the roadbook, please let us know when you book your trip. It will be provided at your first accommodation.

Your journey

Tour description

The development of the canal banks is very different from one department to another. At the end of the tour, in the Aude (between Port-Lauragais and Olonzac) it is largely an undeveloped path and not very well maintained, which gives a very natural character to the route. On the other hand, some portions are very narrow, chaotic (roots, holes, etc.) and in rainy weather the path becomes muddy and slippery, especially at the beginning of the season.
Therefore, this bike tour is not suitable for road bikes and bikes equipped with trailer.

Bike stages trip profiles
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)

Carcassonne – Homps : 42km / elevation gain: 74m / elevation loss: 128m
Homps – Béziers : 63km / elevation gain: 302m / elevation loss: 292m
Béziers – Sète : 50km / elevation gain: 100m / elevation loss: 117m

How to arrive in Carcassonne

By train
Paris Gare Montparnasse train station or Gare de Lyon train station >> Carcassonne train station (by train or TGV train) – (about 5h30).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en

By plane

  • From Orly airport:
    – Taxi transer to Paris Gare de Lyon train station >> Montpellier St Roch train station or Lyon Part-Dieu train station >>  Carcassonne train station (byTGV train or train + TGV train).

– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus):  from Orly Sud  >> Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 6 + line 14 >> Gare de Lyon train station >> Montpellier St Roch train station or Lyon Part-Dieu train station >>  Carcassonne train station (byTGV train or train + TGV train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlybus.php

– Orly Val (automatic metro) : from Orly Sud or Orly Ouest >> Paris – stop ‘Chatelet les Halles’ >> RER D – stop ‘Paris Gare de Lyon’ >> Montpellier St Roch train station or Lyon Part-Dieu train station >>  Carcassonne train station (byTGV train or train + TGV train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
www.transilien.com
www.ratp.fr/plans-lignes

  • From Beauvais airport:
    – Taxi transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon train station >> Montpellier St Roch train station or Lyon Part-Dieu train station >>  Carcassonne train station (byTGV train or train + TGV train).
    – Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 >> Gare de Lyon train station >> Montpellier St Roch train station or Lyon Part-Dieu train station >>  Carcassonne train station (byTGV train or train + TGV train).
    www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/

Return

If you have to come back to the start point

  • This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France: please contact us!
  • A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
    Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
    (Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility)
    – Sète train station >> Carcassonne train station (about 1 by train or TGV train)
    – Sète >> Carcassonne (by taxi)

If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports

  • This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France: please contact us!
  • A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en
    Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike)
    (Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility)
    – Sète train station >> Paris Gare de Lyon train station (TGV train).
    – Sète train station >> Nîmes train station or Montpellier St Roch train station (by train) >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV Station (by TGV train).

Nearby Airports:
– Montpellier airport: https://montpellier-airport.com
– Béziers – Cap d’Agde airport: www.beziers.aeroport.fr/en


Trip overall rating : / 6 testimonials

« We loved the trip ... »
« … but thought the Béziers hotel room we had was well below the standard of the other hotels. A 2 day ... »
Jeff Australia travel date: 01 June 2023
« Organisation parfaite »
« Et réactivité de randovélo au début du parcours.  »
Guillemette France travel date: 03 May 2023
« Jolie randonnée, beaucoup de variations de paysage. »
« Plusieurs personnes des hébergements ont dis spontanément: Rando Vélo? Bon choix. Organisation bien ... »
Remco Pays-Bas travel date: 18 April 2023
« Je recommande »
« Je viens de terminer mon circuit à vélo le long du Canal du Midi et j’en ai été ravi. Randovélo ... »
Nicolas France travel date: 04 August 2022
« Super rando »
« Super rando, organisée de manière très professionnelle. Un parcours mémorable riche en rencontres, ... »
Daniel France travel date: 09 June 2022
« Séjour très agréable »
« Dans le sens carcassone / sete on a le vent dans le dos ce qui est plutôt agréable.  »
Hélène FRANCE travel date: 25 May 2022