+33(0)2 54 78 62 52The 'Canal des 2 Mers': from Bordeaux to Sète by Bike
- From the Garonne River to the Mediterranean Sea in the same cycling tour
- Unforgettable landscapes and sites
- The marked-out itineraries along the ‘Canal des 2 mers’
/ 6 testimonials
Reference : CGCM1
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 cycling tour on Canal des 2 Mers, from Bordeaux to Sète:
The ‘Canal des 2 Mers’ link up the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. This bike itinerary leads you along the Canal de Garonne from Bordeaux to Toulouse. Then, you will join the Canal du Midi, UNESCO World Heritage, to the Mediterranean Sea. You will follow this ancient canal towpath, converted as a promenade and discovery space, to share with walkers and boaters.
Day 1 : Arrival in Bordeaux
For this first day, 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
Once the Garonne crossed in Bordeaux, 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 to the heart of the ‘Entre-deux-mers’. 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 the bike path. It ends in Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, fortified village from 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 last stage, enjoy the quietness of the canal before joining the lively and well-known “Ville rose”. 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.
Day 7 : Toulouse – Castelnaudary | 65 km
‘The pink city’ famous for its numerous brick constructions, opens the doors of the ‘Canal du Midi’. Then, you will 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 | 41 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 : Carcassonne – Homps | 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 10 : Homps – 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 11 : 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 12 : Departure during the day
The little extra with Biking France (optional):
- Private return transfer from Sète to Bordeaux – on request.
Select your category
- from March 1st to April 14th
from October 11th to November 15th - Departure: daily
600 € / pers.*
850 € / pers.*
600 € / pers.*
850 € / pers.*
- from April 15th to June 30th
from September 1st to October 10th - Departure: daily
600 € / pers.*
850 € / pers.*
- from July 1st to August 31st
- Departure: daily
620 € / pers.*
850 € / pers.*
Category's details
• 11 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
2 dinners (drinks not included)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 10 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
Digital routes (GPX tracks)
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• 9 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (11 nights included)
•
Transfer from Sète to Bordeaux and personal bike repatriation
• 11 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom)
•
2 dinners (drinks not included)
•
Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person)
•
Equipped cycle rental for 10 days
•
1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps
•
Digital routes (GPX tracks)
•
City taxes
•
Hotline 7 days a week
• 9 dinners / Lunches / Drinks
•
Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting
•
Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance)
•
Single room supplement (11 nights included)
•
Transfer from Sète 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)
+ 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.
(Valid for low season only)
(March 1st > April 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
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 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)
– Sète train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (about 4h15 by train)
– Sète >> Bordeaux (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 : / 6 testimonials
Angleterre
travel date: 15 July 2022.
A fantastic bike ride that could not be easier to do – all we had to do is jump on a plane and everything was sorted. The accommodation was fine especially the two chambres d’hôtes. Our second time using Randovélo and it has been a brilliant experience.
Australie
travel date: 21 May 2022.
This was a well organised service with new bikes and great accommodations. Well thought out stops along the route. Would highly recommend this company for your Canal trips.
Ireland
travel date: 13 October 2019.
Very good company to travel with. Helpful staff. Good organisation. Well chosen hotels and good guides .
Canada
travel date: 22 August 2019.
Dans un premier temps, il faut souligner le professionnalisme et la qualité du service offert par Randovélo. Nous avons senti une réelle volonté de nous accompagner dans l’organisation du voyage. La qualité du service offert par la cie de location de vélos est également remarquable. L’itinéraire est intéressant et ce, spécialement pour le canal de La Garonne. La piste cyclable est de toute beauté et son décor est enchanteur. Il y est plaisant de pédaler sur cette section du canal des 2 mers. En ce qui concerne le canal du midi, il a perdu tout le charme que nous lui accordions de ce côté-ci de l’atlantique. La qualité du sentier laisse à désirer. L’étroitesse de la surface cyclable et les nombreuses roches et racines empêchent d’apprécier ce qui nous entoure.
South Africa
travel date: 02 October 2018.
Well done RandoVelo – your bikes, equipment, accommodation, guides and maps made our cycling trip very enjoyable.
France
travel date: 21 July 2018.
Organisation au top. Nous le conseillons à tous les amoureux du vélo et de la nature.
Some questions about this trip ?
Contact us +33(0)2 54 78 62 52 or by email
