+33(0)2 54 78 62 52The 'Canal des 2 Mers': from Bordeaux to Carcassonne
- 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
/ 1 testimonials
Reference : CGCM2
Difficulty : Sustained
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 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
- from March 1st to April 14th
from October 11th to November 15th - Departure: daily
470 € / pers.*
600 € / pers.*
470 € / pers.*
600 € / pers.*
- from April 15th to June 30th
from September 1st to October 10th - Departure: daily
470 € / pers.*
600 € / pers.*
- from July 1st to August 31st
- Departure: daily
470 € / pers.*
600 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 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
• 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
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
Digital routes (GPX tracks)
•
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 : - 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)
+ 80 € / pers.
+ 65 € / pers.*
+ 130 € / pers.
+ 65 € / 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.
(Valid for low season only)
(March 1st > Avril 14th and October 11th > Novembre 15th)
In the case of a single person per booking.
(price per additional luggage)
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 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:
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 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
Trip overall rating : / 1 testimonials
Suisse
travel date: 22 April 2022.
Bon service, au contact agréable et disponible.
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
