+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
(on the minimum basis of 2 pers.)
Reference : CGCM2
Difficulty : Sustained
Linear trip
From March to October 2019
Departure: daily
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
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 | 60 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 | 43 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:
- Private return transfer from Carcassonne to Bordeaux – optional.
Select your category
- from March 1st to June 30th 2019
from September 1st to October 31st 2019 - Departure: daily
- from July 1st to August 31st 2019
- Departure: daily
(Only if the triple or quadruple rooms are occupied by 2 adults minimum )
Your accommodation
Your cycle hire
ARCADE « Escape H » - 21 speed gears
Man or Lady frame
- 2 saddlebags
- 1 front bag
- 1 kit repair (per booking)
- 1 lock
- 1 helmet
LEADER FOX « Urbain Inductora »
Universal frame
- 2 saddlebags
- 1 front bag
- 1 kit repair (per booking)
- 1 lock
- 1 helmet
Practical details
- Bikes will be delivered at the 1st hotel.
- 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 end of the tour is using mainly the tow paths along the canal and dirt paths (sometimes narrow). Therefore, this bike tour is not suitable for road bikes and bikes equipped with trailer.
GPX files:
Besides the maps and detailed itinerary, we can provide on request the GPX files of your bike stages, as well as a suggestion of free mobile application.
How to arrive in Bordeaux
By car :
From A10 then A630 highways >> Exit n°4 direction « Bordeaux centre ».
By Train :
From Paris Montparnasse station >> Bordeaux St Jean station (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 (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
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
