The 'Canal des 2 Mers': from Bordeaux to Carcassonne

from 1 320 € / pers.
/ 1 testimonials
Reference : CGCM2
9 days / 7 days riding
Difficulty : Sustained
Linear trip
From March to November
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

carte CGCM2 > Download tour program

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).

Day 1 : Arrival 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 2 : Bordeaux – 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 3 : Rauzan – 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 4 : Marmande – 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 5 : Agen – 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 6 : Moissac – 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 7 : Toulouse – Castelnaudary | 61 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 8 : 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 9 : Departure during the day


The little extra with Biking France (optional):


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

Select your category

standard category
Reference: CGCM2 STD
superior category
Reference: CGCM2 SUP
Low season
  • from March 1st to April 14th
    from October 11th to November 15th
  • Departure: daily
 
 
2 persons basis :(price per person)
* Single supplement
1 555 € / pers.
470 € / pers.*
1 870 € / pers.
600 € / pers.*
4 persons basis :(price per person)
* Single supplement
1 320 € / pers.
470 € / pers.*
1 600 € / pers.
600 € / pers.*
Mid season
  • from April 15th to June 30th
    from September 1st to October 10th
  • Departure: daily
 
 
2 persons basis :(price per person)
* Single supplement
1 320 € / pers.
470 € / pers.*
1 600 € / pers.
600 € / pers.*
High season
  • from July 1st to August 31st
  • Departure: daily
 
 
2 persons basis :(price per person)
* Single supplement
1 375 € / pers.
470 € / pers.*
1 670 € / pers.
600 € / pers.*

Category's details

Including :

• 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
• 1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
• Digital routes (GPX tracks)
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• 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

Including :

• 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
• 1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
• Digital routes (GPX tracks)
• City taxes
• Hotline 7 days a week

Not including :

• 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

Children discount :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 )

According to the category(price per person)

standard category
Reference: CGCM2 STD
superior category
Reference: CGCM2 SUP
Extra night in Bordeaux
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
* Single supplement
Any season
+ 80 € / pers.
+ 65 € / pers.*
Any season
+ 130 € / pers.
+ 65 € / pers.*
Extra night in Carcassonne
(accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
* Single supplement
Low season
+ 55 € / pers.
+ 45 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 55 € / pers.
+ 45 € / pers.*
High season
+ 65 € / pers.
+ 55 € / pers.*
Low season
+ 90 € / pers.
+ 75 € / pers.*
Mid season
+ 90 € / pers.
+ 75 € / pers.*
High season
+ 100 € / pers.
+ 80 € / pers.*
Children discount :
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

• Bike discount
If you bring your own bike.
-115 € / pers.
• E-bike supplement
+ 135 € / pers.
• 'Solo' supplement
(Valid for low season only)

(March 1st > Avril 14th and October 11th > Novembre 15th)
In the case of a single person per booking.

+ 450 € / pers.

• Extra luggage transport (7 bike stages)

(price per additional luggage)

+ 210 € / 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 Bordeaux
> Return

Your journey

Tour description:

The route is made on mainly on bike paths, tow paths along the canal ; and some low traffic routes.
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)

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

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 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 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

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


Trip overall rating : / 1 testimonials

Barbara
Suisse
travel date: 22 April 2022.
" Merci beaucoup ! "

Bon service, au contact agréable et disponible.