Cycling the Canal du Midi túrakönyv

Across Southern France from Toulouse to Sete

Guide to cycling the Canal du Midi in southern France, 240km from Toulouse in the Haute Garonne to Sete on the Mediterranean Coast. The flat, picturesque route is divided into five stages, each around 50km long. Includes detours to sights close to the canal as well as longer excursions, including Narbonne, Minerve, Carcassone and Beziers.

Seasons

Suitable all year round. Busier and hot in summer, but with lots going on; ideal temperatures but higher average rainfall in spring and autumn; quietest in winter, but with Christmas markets and fairs.

Centres

Toulouse, Carcassone, Beziers, Sète

Difficulty

Suitable for all abilities - flat and car-free along the canal with optional slightly hillier excursions by road if desired. Described in five stages to fit within a week's holiday.

Must See

Historic towns and cities: Ancient Greek Agde, Roman Narbonne, Toulouse, the 'Rose City', Carcassonne's 12th-century fortified Cité. Real French culture of La France Profonde, including myriad local festivals. Varied countryside with a wide range of animals and plants.

Map key
Overview map
INTRODUCTION
Regions of the canal
History
Wildlife
Culture
Cycling the Canal du Midi
When to go
Getting there and getting around
Accommodation
Food and drink
Your bike
What to take
Cycling the towpath
Health and safety
Weather
Maps
Money and communications
Using this guide
THE CANAL DU MIDI
Stage 1 Toulouse to Port Lauragais
Stage 2 Port Lauragais to Carcassone
Excursion 1 From Criminelle lock to St-Ferréol reservoir
Stage 3 Carcassone to Homps
Excursion 2 From Trèbes to Lastours
Excursion 3 From Homps to Minerve
Stage 4 Homps to Béziers
Excursion 4 To Narbonne and Port la Nouvelle
Stage 5 Béziers to Sète
Excursion 5 To Vendres salt lagoon
Excursion 6 Across Portiragnes marshes to Sérignan
Appendix A Stage planning tables
Appendix B Accommodation
Appendix C Useful information
Appendix D English–French glossary
Appendix E Further reading