+33(0)2 54 78 62 52Canal du Midi by bike from Toulouse to Sète
- Ride on the whole canal!
- The landscapes variety between Pays du Lauragais, Pays du Minervois and Pays Cathare
- The charming former lock houses
/ 8 testimonials
Reference : CM4
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
> Download tour program
Your Canal du Midi bicycle tour:
Enjoy the longest version of the ‘Canal du Midi by bike’: 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.
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’. From here, 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 : Carcassonne – Homps (or near) | 42 km
Between Aude river and the canal, your stage continues following 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 5 : Homps (or near) – 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 6 : Béziers – Sète | 50 km
Cap towards the Mediterranean sea ! Through a pleasant cycle path, the canal guides you towards Sète and its mediterranean atmosphere. While riding along the Herault river, you will reach Onglous’s beacon, where the Canal du Midi thrown in the pond of Thau. Then, it is while skirting the Mediterranean’s beaches that you will reach Sète.
Day 7 : Departure during the day
The little extra with Biking France (optional):
- Private return transfer from Sète to Toulouse – on request.
Select your category
- from March 1st to April 13th
from October 16th to November 15th - Departure: daily
270 € / pers.*
495 € / pers.*
270 € / pers.*
495 € / pers.*
- from April 14th to June 30th
from September 1st to October 15th - Departure: daily
270 € / pers.*
495 € / pers.*
- from July 1st to August 31st
- Departure: daily
300 € / pers.*
495 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 6 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 5 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
Digital routes (GPX tracks)
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• 5 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (6 nights included)
•
Transfer from Sète to Toulouse and personal bike repatriation
• 6 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 5 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
Digital routes (GPX tracks)
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• 5 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (6 nights included)
•
Transfer from Sète 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)
+ 65 € / pers.
+ 45 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 65 € / pers.
+ 45 € / pers.*
High season
+ 75 € / pers.
+ 50 € / pers.*
+ 105 € / 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.
Bike stages trip profiles:
(click below to see the trip profile of each stage)
Toulouse – Castelnaudary : 61km / elevation gain: 162m / elevation loss: 141m
Castelnaudary – Carcassonne : 40km / elevation gain: 94m / elevation loss: 164m
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
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)
– Sète train station >> Toulouse Matabiau train station (about 2h by train or TGV train)
– Sète >> 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)
– 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 : / 8 testimonials
France
travel date: 03 September 2022.
A lovely way to see this historic route. Lovely accommodation and meals. Highlight was the view of the old city in Carcassonne from our room in the Tribe and from their restaurant. We also enjoyed the ride into Sette around the beachfront and waterfront.
France
travel date: 28 July 2022.
Très bel itinéraire, paysages variés, étapes bien calibrées, accueil agréable dans les hôtels et les chambres d’hôtes sélectionnées.
France
travel date: 09 August 2021.
Circuit CM4 agréable avec un hébergement de qualité.
France
travel date: 10 July 2021.
Nous sommes très contents!
France
travel date: 19 June 2021.
Belle expérience pour une première. Des vélos de qualités au vu du parcours (Canal du midi Toulouse-Sète) Bons choix d’hotel/maison d’hotes. A renouveler sans aucun doute.
Australie
travel date: 18 September 2018.
A wonderful introduction to bike riding in France: this was our first bike ride in France, and we hope it won’t be our last.
UK
travel date: 08 August 2018.
Company were very good to deal with, very nice staff.
France
travel date: 04 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.
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
