7 Days & 6 Nights

4.7

Cycling the Canal du Midi

Enjoy easy-going cycling from the pink city of Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea
Pedal through shade-dappled avenues of trees and past fields of sunflowers
Explore historical Carcassonne and its famous UNESCO medieval citadel
Delight in hand-picked lodging, daily luggage transfers and our helpful navigation app
Choose an included standard bike or upgrade to an E bike

Embark on an unforgettable self-guided cycling adventure along the legendary Canal du Midi. This iconic journey takes you from the vibrant "Pink City" of Toulouse all the way to the azure Mediterranean shores of Sète. As you pedal along one of the finest long distance canal cycle routes in Europe, you'll pass through lively French towns, tranquil villages, and endless stretches of scenic countryside. You'll marvel at the canal’s remarkable engineering — a masterpiece of locks, aqueducts, and tree-lined paths that have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. Along the way, discover the rich culture and gastronomy of southern France as you enjoy local wines and regional specialties, from the hearty cassoulet of Castelnaudary to fresh seafood in coastal Sète. Whether you're after a relaxed pace or an active escape, our cycling holidays in the South of France deliver the perfect blend of adventure and comfort, with especially charming hotels, daily luggage transfers and our award-winning navigation app chock full of tips and points of interest. Being relatively flat but endlessly captivating, the Canal du Midi is one of the best cycling tours in France, ideal for first-timers or experienced cyclists.

From £959.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Toulouse

Arrive in Toulouse, France’s fourth biggest city. Filled with al-fresco cafés and a jumble of colourful shopfronts, it has a beautiful historic centre boasting numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites and churches. Its vibrant food scene is bursting with restaurants and lively food markets. Marché Victor Hugo is a market not to be missed, where more than one hundred vendors gather to sell their local products, ranging from fresh seafood, bread, pastries, charcuterie, macarons, wine and just about every type of cheese imaginable. A city built in rose brick, 'La Ville Rose' (The Pink City) really comes to life when the sun sets over the city and Garonne River, lighting them up with fiery reds, oranges, and pinks as the locals begin to gather for their evenings.

Overnight Toulouse

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Villa du Taur | 4 Star | Hotel

Located at the foot of the Saint-Sernin Basilica (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the boutique Villa du Taur hotel sits in the heart of historic Toulouse. As soon as you enter the Villa du Taur, your eye will be drawn to the street art works in the lobby. Numerous shops, theatres and cafés are located by the hotel, and it's just a 10-minute walk to Toulouse TGV train station.

Hotel de Brienne | 4 Star | Hotel

This contemporary design hotel takes its name from the nearby Canal de Brienne which connects the River Garrone and the Canal du Midi. It is located in a quieter section of Toulouse, about 10 minutes’ walk from the city center and is surrounded by restaurants, parks and gardens. It features a bar and outdoor terrace and 2 breakfast rooms where you can enjoy a full breakfast. All rooms are all equipped with an LCD TV with international channels, a mini fridge, and free Wi-Fi.

Day 2 Cycle from Toulouse to Castelnaudary 40 miles / 65 km

Start your journey along the Canal du Midi, soon striking off across agricultural landscapes towards Castelnaudary. Cycling through cities is rarely pleasant, however, escaping Toulouse is effortless with the canal and cycle paths diving under the roads and bridges. Soon you’ll be cycling along shade-dappled avenues of trees, through fields of sunflowers, and slowing your pace to match the rhythms of the water. The market town of Castelnaudary awaits with a generous serving of its signature cassoulet, a hearty bean stew traditionally made with sausages or pork. Pair with a glass of local red wine and you have the perfect dinner to end your day with.

Ascent/descent: 48m/25m (157ft/82ft)

Overnight Castelnaudary

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Le Clos Fleuri | 3 Star | Hotel

Le Clos Fleuri is a charming family-run hotel with a covered and heated swimming pool, solarium and garden along with its very own highly rated restaurant serving local and classic French cuisine with fresh and seasonal produce. Its location by the canal makes this a hassle-free place to stay after a day in the saddle.

Les Ordalies | 3 Star | Hotel

Offering garden and inner courtyard views, Les Ordalies is situated in a historic building in Castelnaudry, just a few blocks from the Canal du Midi. The hotel offers double and family rooms, a coffee shop, shared lounge and a sun terrace. Breakfast is served in the hotel, and a number of cafes and restaurants are nearby for lunch and dinner.

Day 3 Cycle from Castelnaudary to Carcassonne 26 miles / 41 km

Having crossed the Seiul de Narouze yesterday, it’s all downhill to the Mediterranean from here. Today’s section of the Canal du Midi continues through scenic landscapes from Castelnaudary to Carcassonne, where its citadel, France's second-most visited site after the Eiffel Tower, awaits. Leaving Castelnaudary, you’ll freewheel past a flurry of locks that each step down and lose a little more elevation as you edge closer to the sea. Approaching Carcassonne, you’ll start to notice vineyards lining the canal. It’s a promising sign for dinner tonight. Wine and the Canal du Midi are perhaps the two factors that have brought the most prosperity to the region. You’ll finish in Carcassonne at the foot of its imposing UNESCO-recognised citadel.

Ascent/descent: 9m/75m (30ft/246ft)

Overnight Carcassonne

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel du Pont Vieux | 3 Star | Hotel

You will be welcomed warmly to this hotel by Catherine and Jean Michel. Ideally located just a short walk away from the Medieval city this hotel is situated in a beautiful 18th century building and offers a warm and friendly atmosphere. There is also a lovely private garden in the back in which to relax and all the amenities are modern.

Hotel Montmorency | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Montmorency is located just 98 feet from the historic entrance to Carcassone. The style of the hotel is medieval yet contemporary, rural yet metropolitan, sophisticated yet comfortable. There is a heated pool from Easter until November, a year-round outdoor jacuzzi, and a full-service spa with an indoor pool and a hammam. Guests can enjoy a drink and panoramic views on the hotel’s terrace bar.

Day 4 Cycle from Carcassonne to Homps 26 miles / 41 km

As you ride from Carcassonne to Homps, there are some beautiful landscapes along the way, landscapes that posed challenges only the most impressive canal engineering could overcome. Leaving the bustle of Carcassonne, you'll rejoin the calmness of the canal, by now a familiar companion on your journey. Pass grand aqueducts over the L’Orbiel and Le Fresquel rivers, and cycle through the pretty town of Trèbes. Feel a sense of remoteness as you gaze towards the mountains further south. Nearing Homps, you’ll start to notice a thrilling shift in scenery. You're now in the heart of the Languedoc region, and the surrounding sea of vineyards promises great wine, while fig trees, cacti, and pine trees suggest you’re nearing the Mediterranean. The many waterfront bars and restaurants make Homps a pleasant village to overnight in.

Ascent/descent: 12m/74m (39ft/242ft)

Overnight Homps

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

La Maison des Palmiers | 3 Star | Bed and breakfast

A relaxing historic manor house built in the 1860s, serving traditional French breakfasts. Run by Matthew and his family, La Maison provides easy access to the canal and the adjacent restaurant is perfect for pitching up waterside and working your way through the menu d’jour. Decorated with Napoleon III furnishings, the guest rooms offer a view of the Mediterranean garden or the canal. Some of the rooms also feature original fireplaces.

Le Jardin d’Homps | 3 Star | Bed and breakfast

A charming Bed & Breakfast located on the Canal du Midi in a restored period home. Relax in the secluded garden with a glass of regional wine, or take a dip in the swimming pool. The location is ideal, just a short stroll to the port and local restaurants.

La Maison du Canal | 3 Star | Bed and breakfast

This lovely bed and breakfast is located canal-side in the heart of Homps. It features charmingly decorated rooms, some with sweeping canal and mountain views and all with free wi-fi and tvs. You’ll receive a warm welcome from your host Austrailan-born Robyn, and in the morning a filling breakfast in the cozy dining room will be the perfect start to your day of cycling.

Day 5 Cycle from Homps to Beziers 39 miles / 63 km

Cycle from Homps to Beziers, passing through a string of idyllic villages, each surrounded by a tangle of vineyards and peaceful scenery. You’ll pass the imposing medieval castle of Argens-Minervois, the artistic village of Paraza, and the houses of Ventenac-en-Minervois hugging the canal. Enjoy the quaint village of La Somail, where it feels like time stopped here 200 years ago, and the labyrinthine of Capestang, dominated by its church. Today, all the locks suddenly come at once, with nine in a row as you reach Beziers, a lively city with great history and wonderful wining and dining.

Ascent/descent: 10m/61m (32ft/200ft)

Overnight Beziers

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hôtel La Prison | 3 Star | Hotel

A different experience to the usual hotel. Hôtel This establishment is full of history, as it is the former prison of Béziers, now an restored building with breathtaking views. This hotel is well-equipped with a single-lane swimming pool and terrace, and a bar and bistro with a fantastic view over the Orb Valley. Breakfast is served on the veranda overlooking Beziers, with the sound of the cathedral bells. Magical.

Day 6 Cycle from Beziers to Sete 33.5 miles / 54 km

The final section of the Canal du Midi takes you from Beziers to the Étang du Thau lagoon, where the canal spills into the Mediterranean Sea. A dedicated cycle path then leads past a long strip of sand dunes and the beach leading into Sète. Now down at sea level, you’ll find salt-tolerant vegetation as you cycle through a mosaic of marshes and lagoons, with the chance of spotting otters, coypus and flamingos. Over 250 species of birds visit Bagnas Nature Reserve each year. You’ll spend the night in the Venice of Languedoc, Sète, an attractive port city criss-crossed by canals. Be sure to go for a slow wander along the central canal, and stop in a restaurant for a taste of some local seafood and wine.

Ascent/descent: 12m/12m (39ft/39ft)

Overnight Sète

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Le Grand Hôtel Sète | 3 Star | Hotel

Located in the heart of Sète and overlooking the canal, Le Grand Hôtel Sète oozes art deco, with its glass-roofed courtyard and parquet flooring. The hotel's restaurant and bar, Quai 17, serves Mediterranean-style cuisine, prepared with local ingredients. The rooms are individually decorated and arranged around the plant-filled courtyard, some furnished in classic 19th and early 20th-century style, and others a retro Sixties feel. The hotel is close to many shops and boutiques, galleries and museums, including the eccentric International Museum of Modest Art.

Hotel l'Orque Bleue | 3 Star | Hotel

Located on the edge of the Royal Canal, this charming boutique hotel is housed in an historic Hausmanian building that combines charm, comfort, calm and modernity. Beautiful rooms offer wonderful views of the city or the canal, and breakfast is served each morning in the Blue Orca dining room. The hotel is surrounded by numerous shops, cafes and restaurants.

Day 7 Departure

Reviews

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

Enjoy this easy-going cycling adventure along the Canal du Midi cycling route. It's perfect for occasional riders seeking to discover a region from the saddle, or for those travelling by bike for the first time but comfortable riding a bike over a few consecutive days. Flat and traffic-free cycle paths take you through charming town and villages, where you can enjoy the region's culinary delights and thriving wine industry. E-bikes are available for hire should you wish to have some battery-powered assistance.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie

Wine

Accessible by Rail

E-Bike

Grade & Terrain

This self-guided cycling tour is graded easy to moderate, with distances ranging from 41km to 65km (25mi to 40mi). The grade is determined on the basis of the entire trip. Individual days may vary in terms of difficulty, i.e. some rides may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall grade. You will be cycling on mostly dedicated unpaved cycle paths, with very occasional short stretches on busier roads. Terrain will be largely easy-going but you must stay vigilant on the canal path as some surfaces are uneven, cobbled or have exposed tree roots. Sturdy rental bikes are provided for this.

Navigation What's Included

Included

6 nights accommodation in B&Bs and 3 and 4-star hotels
All breakfasts
Luggage transfers
Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure app
Bike hire (standard hybrid). Upgrade to an E-bike available
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK office

Excluded

E-bike hire
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
Travel Insurance
Personal Equipment
Travel to and from the start and end points
Local city tax - to be paid locally at each hotel

Extras

Extra nights
Upgrade to an E-bike

When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

Toulouse

Toulouse Airport is the best airport for the start of this tour. The tram (T2) and Tisséo airport shuttle bus will take you quickly to Toulouse city centre. Both run every 20 minutes. The tram is both the quickest and cheapest mode of transport, with a journey time of 35 minutes. Taxis are also available at Arrivals.

Paris to Toulouse

For those coming from further afield, Toulouse is well connected to Paris via the direct high-speed TGV train. The fastest service takes approximately 4.5 hours from Paris Montparnasse station to Toulouse Matabiau station. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is well-connected to the city centre with trains and airport shuttle busses running regularly. It's the perfect opportunity to tag on a Paris city break.

For more information on trains, tickets and prices from Paris, please visit the sncf website.

Getting from the End

From Sete to Montpellier

The city of Montpellier is just a short 20-minute train journey from Sete, which makes Montpellier Airport a good option for flying home, with an Airport Shuttle Bus from the city centre to the airport.

For more information on trains, tickets and prices from Paris, please visit the sncf website.

Brom Sete to Beziers

The city of Beziers has an airport with connections to multiple cities in the UK and across Europe. From Sete, it's a direct 25-minute train journey.

From Sete to Toulouse

From Sete, you can return to the start point, Toulouse, by taking a direct train. It takes approximately 2 hours.

From Sete to Paris

If returning to Paris, you can take the train from Sete directly to Paris Gare De Lyon, which takes approximately 4 hours. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is well-connected to the city centre with trains and airport shuttle busses running regularly.

Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Equipment

Hire of a standard Bergamont hybrid bike is included. AEB 400 E-bikes are also available for hire (not included) should you wish to upgrade. Both have Hydraulic disc brakes.

Tandem bikes, gravel bikes and children's bikes are also available, please ask our sales specialists for more details and costs.

Bike & E-Bike Hire

Included with bike hire is a pannier rack, an Ortleib pannier bag and handlebar bag, bottle cage (standard bike only), and a repair kit (pump, inner tube, tire lever, multi tools and anti-theft device), front and rear lights. Helmets are included with the bike hire although we recommend that you bring your own helmet for your own comfort.

For some battery-powered assistance on longer days, and to ease ascents, we recommend hiring an e-bike. The rechargeable battery on your bike will be your reliable riding partner, getting you to your final destination with more energy in the tank for an afternoon swim or simply for exploring. E-bikes are growing rapidly in popularity so please make sure to request one at the time of booking so we can secure availability for your trip and avoid disappointment.