The 'Canal des 2 Mers': from Bordeaux to Carcassonne
9 days / 7 days riding / ref. CGCM2 / Difficulty Sustained / Linear tripper person
Your cycling tour on Canal des 2 Mers, from Bordeaux to Carcassonne:
Let the ‘Canal des Deux Mers à vélo’ be your guide and discover prestigious sites, unforgettable landscapes!
From Bordeaux, follow the estuary of La Gironde before riding the bucolic ‘Roger Lapébie’ bike path through the famous Bordeaux vineyards. Then cycle along the Canal de Garonne to Toulouse before proceeding on the mythical Canal du Midi (UNESCO World Heritage), to reach Carcassonne, real highlight of your trip!
A colorful bike trip with famous vineyards, prestigious cities (Bordeaux and Toulouse) and architectural achievements (the canal bridge of Agen, the abbeys of Moissac and La Sauve Majeure, and the medieval cities of Marmande, Damazan and of course Carcassonne).
Tour highlights
- The exceptional cloister of Moissac Abbey!
- Cross the vineyards of the Entre-Deux Mers on a perfect bike path
- The peaceful and friendly atmosphere along the canals
- Carcassonne! ... for a total immersion in the Middle Ages
Departure days: MONDAY & TUESDAY
Departure possible on other days: with extra charge.
Day 1Arrival in Bordeaux
Take your time to visit Bordeaux. Take a walk along the Garonne docks. This city, World Heritage Site by UNESCO will fill you with enthusiasm for its quality of life, the green airy spaces, its gastronomy and its wine of course!
Day 2Bordeaux – Rauzan | 46 km
Leaving Bordeaux, cross Garonne river using the nice ‘Pont de Pierre’ , then follow the bike path ‘Roger Lapébie’ (French racing cyclist) in the middle of vineyards and forest. This path use an ancient railway which leads you through the heart of the ‘Entre-deux-mers’ to the former Sauve-Majeure Abbey. You will leave it to reach you accommodation in Rauzan, medieval village overhanged by its castle and donjon.
Day 3Rauzan – Marmande | 69 km
You leave Rauzan and reach again the bike path. It ends in Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, fortified villagefrom de 13th century. Follow the itinerary by small countryside routes, before joining the Canal des-deux-mers in La Réole, small village overhanging the Garonne. Then follow the Canal and reach Marmande, the tomato capital city!
Day 4Marmande – Agen | 64 km
Reach the canal that you will follow to Agen. Two stops are must-be-seen places. The first at ‘Le Mas-d’Agenais’ with the church St. Vincent, pearl of the French Renaissance and the ‘Christ on the Cross’ from Rembrandt. The second one in Damazan, fortified village from the 13th century. Then you will arrive in Agen by one of the longest bridge-canal in France.
Day 5Agen – Moissac | 43 km
Run of the river, this stage continues, pasing through Valence d’Agen, medieval village with a rich cultural and natural heritage. You will find a warm welcome for cyclotourists.
You arrive in Moissac, unmissable stage of St Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage. Visit the ancient Benedictine abbatial church, its cloister and the church which tympanum is one of the greatest from the Romanesque Art.
Day 6Moissac – Toulouse | 68 km
During this stage, enjoy the quietness of the canal before joining the lively and well-known “Ville rose” (famous for its numerous brick constructions). The villages are queuing regularly, welcoming you for lunch breaks or relaxation. You arrive in Toulouse, away from the traffic, via the Canal du Midi. You must visit the town center! Walk around the well-known ‘Place du Capitole’, the Basilica St Sernin, the Jacobins’ monastery…
Day 7Toulouse – Castelnaudary (or St Martin Lalande) | 61 km (or 68 km)
The city of Toulouse opens the doors of the ‘Canal du Midi’. Start your stage by crossing the ‘Lauragais’ country with its numerous farms where ducks and gooses enjoy a peaceful life, swimming and disturbing cyclists along the canal. Moreover, it is also a land of well being and gastronomy. Then, Castelnaudary, famous for its ‘Cassoulet’ , will welcome you and invite you to taste its local cuisine.
Day 8Castelnaudary (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 9Departure during the day
The little extra with Biking France (optional):
- Private return transfer from Carcassonne to Bordeaux – on request.
Documents
> Download tour programSelect your category
Your accommodation
• 8 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 7 days
•
A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• 7 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (8 nights included)
•
Transfer from Carcassonne to Bordeaux and personal bike repatriation
• 8 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 7 days
•
A personalized travel app, including all your cycling stages as well as tourist and practical information
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• 7 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (8 nights included)
•
Transfer from Carcassonne to Bordeaux and personal bike repatriation
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 TREKKING 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
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 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 route is made on mainly on bike paths, tow paths along the canal ; and some low traffic routes.
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)
Bordeaux – Rauzan : 46km / elevation gain: 424m / elevation loss: 367m
Rauzan – Marmande : 69km / elevation gain: 432m / elevation loss: 476m
Marmande – Agen : 64km / elevation gain: 169m / elevation loss: 147m
Agen – Moissac : 43km / elevation gain: 132m / elevation loss: 140m
Moissac – Toulouse : 68km / elevation gain: 155m / elevation loss: 74m
Toulouse – Castelnaudary : 61km / elevation gain: 162m / elevation loss: 141m
Castelnaudary – Carcassonne : 40km / elevation gain: 94m / elevation loss: 164m
How to arrive in Bordeaux
By Train :
From Paris Montparnasse station >> Bordeaux St Jean station (about 2h10 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 (by TGV train).
www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
- From Orly airport:
– Taxi transfer to Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St-Jean train station (by TGV train).
– Bus shuttle (Le Bus Direct) : from Orly Sud or Ouest – Line 1 >> Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (by TGV train).
www.lebusdirect.com/en/lines-and-schedules/orly-airport-paris-etoile-champs-elysees-line.html
- From Beauvais airport:
– Taxi transfer to Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St-Jean train station (by TGV train).
– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 + line 13 >> Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (by TGV train).
www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes
- From Bordeaux-Mérignac airport:
– Shuttle transfer (30 minutes) to town center (Bordeaux St Jean train station).
www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en
www.30direct.com
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 >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (about 3h 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
