Canal du Midi by bike from Toulouse to Carcassonne
- Toulouse: the pink city made of bricks and tiles
- Stop in Castelnaudary… to taste the famous Cassoulet!
- The excursion to the Cathar castles from the medieval city of Carcassonne
/ 4 testimonials
Reference : CM1
Difficulty : Moderate
Linear trip
From March to November
Departure: daily
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
Your Canal du Midi bicycle tour :
Let the route of the canal guide you as it presents all its history punctuated by conquests, boat cruises, sunny walks. The ‘Canal du Midi’ offers you all its numerous architectural and cultural treasures : amazing civil engineering structures, Cathar vestiges…
This is also an opportunity to meet with numerous house-boats and its inhabitants in a country of ‘art de vivre’. Vineyard landscapes, countryside, pine and olive trees will punctuate your stay.
Day 1 : Arrival in Toulouse
City of great heritage, take time to visit all the numerous traces of its rich past : St Sernin church which is the biggest Roman church in the world, the ‘Capitole’ square etc… keep your eyes open to admire all the architectural details.
Day 2 : Toulouse – Castelnaudary | 61 km
‘The pink city’ famous for its numerous brick constructions, opens the doors of the ‘Canal du Midi’. Then, you will start your stage by crossing the ‘Lauragais’ country with its numerous farms where ducks and geese enjoy a peaceful life, swimming and disturbing cyclists along the canal.
Day 3 : Castelnaudary - Carcassonne | 40 km
In the heart of the Cathar country, discover the manifold traces of their crusades all along your stage, which will guide you towards Carcassonne and its impressive medieval city. Classified as world heritage by UNESCO, you can admire one of the most beautiful fortifications of Europe.
Day 4 : Excursion in the vineyards and the Cathar castles | 50 km
In direction of the Black Mountains, ride away from the canal, heading into the heart of Cathar country. The ride takes you into vineyeards where there are many opportunities to taste the local wines.
Departure at the end of the stage.
Possibility to book an extra night in Carcassonne.
The little extra with Biking France:
- Private return transfer from Carcassonne to Toulouse – on request.
Select your category
- from March 1st to April 13th
from October 16th to November 15th - Departure: daily
150 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
150 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
- from April 14th to June 30th
from September 1st to October 15th - Departure: daily
150 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
- from July 1st to August 31st
- Departure: daily
150 € / pers.*
240 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 3 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 3 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
Digital routes (GPX tracks)
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (3 nights included)
•
Transfer from Carcassonne to Toulouse and personal bike repatriation
• 3 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 3 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
Digital routes (GPX tracks)
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• Dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (3 nights included)
•
Transfer from Carcassonne to Toulouse and personal bike repatriation
from 3 to 11 years old : - 50%
from 12 to 17 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
According to the category(price per person)
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 65 € / pers.
+ 40 € / pers.*
+ 110 € / pers.
+ 80 € / pers.*
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
+ 55 € / pers.
+ 45 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 55 € / pers.
+ 45 € / pers.*
High season
+ 65 € / pers.
+ 55 € / pers.*
+ 90 € / pers.
+ 75 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 90 € / pers.
+ 75 € / pers.*
High season
+ 100 € / pers.
+ 80 € / pers.*
from 0 to 2 years old : free / from 3 to 11 years old : - 50% / from 12 to 17 years old : - 20%
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
Extras
If you bring your own bike.
(price per additional luggage)
(in the case of a single person per booking)
Your accommodation
Your cycle hire
CLOSED or UNIVERSAL frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front bag
- 1 kit repair (per booking)
- 1 lock
Helmet not provided
UNIVERSAL frame
- 1 rear pannier
- 1 front bag
- 1 kit repair (per booking)
- 1 lock
Helmet not provided
- Rental bikes will be available from our local partner.
- At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at your hotel, we will pick them up.
> How to arrive in Toulouse
> Return
Your journey
Tour description:
The development of the canal banks is very different from one department to another.
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.
The ride on the excursion loop towards Lastours chateaux is on small country roads.
Bike stages trip profiles:
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
GPX files:
Besides the maps and detailed itinerary, we also provide the GPX files of your bike stages, as well as a suggestion of free mobile application (if you do not have a bike touring GPS).
How to arrive in Toulouse
By train:
Paris Montparnasse train station >> Toulouse Matabiau train station (about 4h30 by TGV train).
For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en
By plane:
- From Roissy CDG airport :
– Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station >> Toulouse Matabiau train station (by TGV train).
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Toulouse Matabiau train station (by TGV train).
– Bus shuttle (Le Bus Direct) : from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Line 1 >> Montparnasse train station >> Toulouse Matabiau train station (by TGV train).
www.lebusdirect.com/en/lines-and-schedules/orly-airport-paris-etoile-champs-elysees-line.html
– Bus shuttle (Orly Bus) : from Orly Sud or Ouest >> Paris centre – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 4 >> Montparnasse train station >> Toulouse Matabiau train station (by TGV train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlybus.php
– Orly Val (automatic metro) : from Orly Sud or Orly Ouest >> Paris – stop ‘Antony’ >> RER B – stop ‘Denfert Rochereau’ >> Metro line 4 >> Montparnasse train station >> Toulouse Matabiau train station (by TGV train).
http://aeroportorly.paris/orlyval.php
www.transilien.com
www.ratp.fr/plans-lignes
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Paris Montparnasse train station >> Toulouse Matabiau train station (by TGV train).
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 + line 13 >> Montparnasse train station >> Toulouse Matabiau train station (by TGV train).
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes/
- From Toulouse Blagnac airport:
– Bus shuttle « Tisseo » direction ‘Gare routière’ to reach the town center.
www.tisseo.fr/en/airport-shuttle
– Tram line T2 direction ‘Palais de Justice’ to reach the town center.
www.toulouse.aeroport.fr/en/passengers/to-and-from/public-transport
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)
– Carcassonne train station >> Toulouse Matabiau train station (about 1h by train).
– Carcassonne >> Toulouse (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)
– Carcassonne train station >> Narbonne train station (by train) >> Paris Gare de Lyon train station (by TGV train).
– Carcassonne train station >> Montpellier train station ou Lyon Part-Dieu train station (by TGV train) >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV Station (by TGV train).
Nearby Airports:
– Toulouse airport: www.toulouse.aeroport.fr/en
– Carcassonne airport: www.aeroport-carcassonne.com/en
– Bordeaux airport: www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en
Trip overall rating : / 4 testimonials
France
travel date: 05 September 2022.
La rando de 4 jours Toulouse – Carcassonne est le programme idéal pour découvrir les paysages et les villes proposées.
France
travel date: 26 May 2022.
Du plaisir, de beaux paysages, du calme, de belles rencontres; et un peu mal au jambes. Mais que ça fait du bien.
Australia
travel date: 13 September 2016.
We originally booked a trip from Colmar to Strasbourg but enjoyed it so much that we immediately booked a second trip along the Canal du Midi. Our trips were well organised and the routes and hotel locations were very selected.
France
travel date: 14 August 2012.
Je viens de terminer mon circuit à vélo le long du Canal du Midi et j’en ai été ravi. Randovélo conserve ma confiance et je renouvellerai l’expérience avec l’association et en ferai la promotion autour de moi.