Canal du Midi by bike from Toulouse to Carcassonne

from 470 € / pers.
/ 5 testimonials
Reference : CM1
4 days / 3 days riding
Difficulty : Moderate
Linear trip
From March to October
Departure: daily
Electric bike rental possible > Book this trip

Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email

> Download tour program

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 (or St Martin Lalande) | 61 km (or 68 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. Here is a land of well being and gastronomy! Then, Castelnaudary, famous for its ‘Cassoulet’, welcomes you and invite you to taste its local cuisine.

Day 3 : Castelnaudary (or St Martin Lalande) – 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 | 49 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

standard category
Reference: CM1 STD
superior category
Reference: CM1 SUP
Low season
  • from March 1st to April 14th
    from October 11th to 31st
  • Departure: daily
 
 
2 persons basis :(price per person)
* Single supplement
510 € / pers.
155 € / pers.*
680 € / pers.
280 € / pers.*
Mid season
  • from April 15th to 30th
    from May 12th to June 30th
    from October 1st to 10th
  • Departure: daily
 
 
2 persons basis :(price per person)
* Single supplement
470 € / pers.
155 € / pers.*
660 € / pers.
280 € / pers.*
High season
  • from May 1st to 11th
    from July 1st to September 30th
  • Departure: daily
 
 
2 persons basis :(price per person)
* Single supplement
510 € / pers.
155 € / pers.*
680 € / pers.
280 € / pers.*

Category's details

Including :

• 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
• A personalized navigation app showing points of interest along the route
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• 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

Including :

• 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
• A personalized navigation app showing points of interest along the route
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• 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

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 )

According to the category(price per person)

standard category
Reference: CM1 STD
superior category
Reference: CM1 SUP
Extra night in Toulouse
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
* Single supplement
Any season
+ 70 € / pers.
+ 40 € / pers.*
Any season
+ 110 € / pers.
+ 80 € / pers.*
Extra night in Carcassonne
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
* Single supplement
Low season
+ 60 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 60 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.*
High season
+ 70 € / pers.
+ 55 € / pers.*
Low season
+ 90 € / pers.
+ 85 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 90 € / pers.
+ 85 € / pers.*
High season
+ 100 € / pers.
+ 80 € / pers.*
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 )

Extras

• Bike discount
If you bring your own bike.
-60 € / pers.
• E-bike supplement
+ 70 € / pers.
• Extra luggage transport (3 bike stages)

(price per additional luggage)

+ 90 € / pers.

• 'Solo' supplement
(in the case of a single person per booking)
+ 140 € / pers.

Your accommodation


standard category


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.
superior category


These hotels provide charming services on high quality as well as a great location.
Pictures for indicative purposes. Depending on the availability.

Your cycle hire

ARCADE Hybrid bike - 21 speed gears

CLOSED or UNIVERSAL frame

  • 1 rear pannier
  • 1 front bag
  • 1 kit repair (per booking)
  • 1 lock

Helmet not provided

Possibility to rent an electric assistance bike :
ARCADE or VELO DE VILLE e-bike - 7 speed gears (or similar)
E-bike

UNIVERSAL frame

  • 1 rear pannier
  • 1 front bag
  • 1 kit repair (per booking)
  • 1 lock

Helmet not provided

Practical details
  • 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.
> Your journey
> 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)

Navigation app

Besides the maps, we also provide a personalised navigation app showing points of interest along the route.

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/

– 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 : / 5 testimonials

Jean-François
France
travel date: 02 October 2023.
" Très bonne réactivité "

Service clef en main, logistique ok et région magnifique

Patrick
France
travel date: 26 May 2023.
" Une très belle première expérience de roadtrip à vélo. "

Du plaisir, de beaux paysages, du calme, de belles rencontres; et un peu mal au jambes. Mais que ça fait du bien.

Warren
Australia
travel date: 13 September 2022.
" We enjoyed both or our tours with your company "

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.

Etienne
France
travel date: 05 September 2022.
" Programme idéal "

La rando de 4 jours Toulouse – Carcassonne est le programme idéal pour découvrir les paysages et les villes proposées.

Nicolas
France
travel date: 14 August 2022.
" Je recommande "

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.