Self-Guided Cycling
France: Canal du Midi
Canal du midi Cycling : from Toulouse to Sete
Trip code: C06CM
Average customer rating 4.9 / 5(14 verified reviews)
- Self-Guided Cycling
- 6 nights hotel-to-hotel
- Steady
- CO₂ rating 1/5
- Agent supplied app
Trip highlights
Trip details
Enjoy a ride with a free spirit and the wind in your hair, far from traffic and noisy towns on a continuous 240 km path dotted with monuments and exceptional landscapes. Between ports, villages, fields, vineyards and culinary specialities, this region is a place of tradition, seaside resorts and culture. Meet this friendly, natural, jovial, welcoming and food-loving region.
What's included
Included
- 6 nights in 3-star equivalent, 3-star and 4-star accommodation
- All breakfasts and 1 evening meals
- Bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
- Navigation app
- Bike hire included
- Luggage transfers between hotels
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
Hand-picked for the route, hire included
Bergamont, Horizon 6 or equivalent. Your bike hire is included in the price of your holiday and comes equipped with the relevant essentials, plus rear pannier and phone holder.
Travel options
Our travel specialists can arrange flights, rail and transfers to this holiday from wherever you are. Call us to plan your journey. +44 1606 720099
Itinerary
Day 1 · —Arrival in Toulouse
The ‘Pink City’, which owes its name to the colour of the brick that adorns the facades, is as lovely as its name. Toulouse has no shortage of sights to visit: the wide Capitol Square, the Bernardins convent with the palm-shaped vault, the Assezat hotel in the Renaissance style, the banks of the Garonne in the heart of the city, the Space museum…
You stay at Hotel de Brienne
Hotel de Brienne
Toulouse
- Air conditioning
- American Express
- Diners Club
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Safe
- Shops
- Television
- Visa cards
Located five minutes away from the centre of Toulouse, 200 metres away from the Canal de Brienne and far from the city’s hustle and bustle, its tranquil location in the centre of Toulouse, surrounded by restaurants and gardens (the Japanese Garden amongst others) makes it an ideal place to unwind. Make the most of this ideal positioning to discover the Capitole, the Basilica of St. Sernin and many other tourist attractions.
Day 2 · 61km/37.9miToulouse - Castelnaudary
Starting in the centre of Toulouse, the route leads you through the green valleys of the Lauragais district. You will be able to enjoy a pastoral setting of wheat and sunflower fields. Your route is also interspersed with locks and beautiful rural villages with a southern Gothic architectural style.
Later on, Castelnaudary, famous for its ‘Cassoulet’ (a slow-cooked bean and meat casserole), welcomes you and invite you to taste its local cuisine.
Evening meal included at the hotel’s restaurant.
You stay at Hotel Clos Fleuri
Hotel Clos Fleuri
Castelnaudary
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Swimming pool
- Tea & coffee
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
Le Clos Fleuri invites you to enjoy a comfortable and relaxing stay, making the most of Castelnaudary’s unique charm. Some places make you feel right at home – and Le Clos Fleuri is one of them. A warm welcome, genuine hospitality, and a peaceful setting ensure you’ll enjoy every moment of your stay in the heart of the Pays Cathare.
Day 3 · 41km/25.5miCastelnaudary - Carcassonne
Leaving Castelnaudary, you pass the imposing St-Roch lock. Follow the canal at your own rhythm and enjoy this quiet ride with lovely views over the peaceful countryside. Then, arrive in Carcassonne via the port in the lower town. Do not miss the medieval citadel overlooking the surrounding countryside.
This ancient oppidum (fortified city) dating from the Roman times became an imposing fortress over the centuries, raised to defend itself against Spanish Aragon. The architect Viollet-Leduc saved the walled city from the demolition and today it is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
You stay at Hotel Tribe
Hotel Tribe
Carcassonne
- Air conditioning
- American Express
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Safe
- Shops
- Swimming pool
- Television
- Visa cards
Hotel Tribe is just a 15 min walk from the Medieval old town, and you have a superb view of it from the hotel. They have an indoor heated pool, a roof top terrace, cocktail bar and a coffee shop (both serve hot and cold snacks). Their rooms feature a sophisticated design, with comfort in mind and offer either a Medieval old town view or a courtyard view.
Day 4 · 42km/26.1miCarcassonne - Homps
Today the ride is going through the Minervois area and its renowned vineyards which is just a short ride away from the Canal du Midi.
Between Aude River and the canal, your way is punctuated with pine trees shade. Here, each village hide a treasure to discover such as the canal bridge of Orbiel.
Arriving in Homps, an historic wine-exporting port, is very lively, with many shops. Here you find yourself in the heart of the Minervois area.
You stay at Guest House Jardin de Homps
equivalent
Guest House Jardin de Homps
Homps
- American Express
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Safe
- Shops
- Swimming pool
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
Le Jardin d’Homps is a quaint setting, offering comfortable rooms, a sun terrace, garden, outdoor pool and a bar. Rooms are spacious, with wooden floors, and all have private bathrooms. Some rooms have a small balcony.
Day 5 · 64km/39.8miHomps - Beziers
Ride along several wine villages, calling for your attention! Further on, Le Somail is one of the canal’s most attractive stops, a picture-postcard village with its port, chapel, cafes and amazing antique shops.
Then, follow the canal bordered by olive-trees and vines, before reaching the bustling port of Capestang. Along your way, meet amazing civil engineering structures such as the 17th-century Malpas tunnel, built as Europe’s first-ever navigable canal tunnel. Then, admire the cascade of the 9 locks of Fonsérannes before aching Béziers.
You stay at Hôtel XIX
Hôtel XIX
Béziers
- Air conditioning
- Hairdryers
- Television
- Wifi access
A chic and cosy hotel, situated in the heart of Béziers, They have a bar and an ice cream shop (Glacier) serving ice creams and sorbets. Breakfast is served either in the dining room, or outside on their terrace.
Day 6 · 50km/31.1miBeziers - Sete
This last ride leads you to the Mediterranean! The canal guides you towards Sète and its Mediterranean atmosphere. Along your way, pass by Onglous lighthouse, where the Canal du Midi ends in the Etang de Thau. Then, arriving in Sete, you can reach the beach easily for a refreshing dip in the sea!
You stay at Grand Hôtel
Grand Hôtel
Sète
- Hairdryers
- Mastercard
- Minibar
- Television
- Visa cards
- Wifi access
Grand Hôtel Sete is a charming, family run hotel. The building is 19th Century, with a glass roofed patio, views of the canal and a very elegant restaurant serving gourmet dishes. Rooms offer high ceilings, modern en euite bathrooms and comfortable beds.
Day 7 · —Leave Sete
What our travellers say
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Positive impact
Carbon score for this trip
12.0
Kg CO₂e
per person, per night
Relative to other Headwater trips
We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more
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