This bike tour along the Canal Du Midi goes from Castelnaudary to Marseillan and can include Narbonne as well. Spend a night in Carcassonne as well, to visit the Unesco World Heritage site of the walled city.

DURATION: 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS | LEVEL: MODERATE | CUSTOMIZABLE: YES | TYPE: SELF-GUIDED

POPULAR BESPOKE OPTIONS

Extra day in Homps to cycle to Minerve.
Extra day in Carcassonne.

Extra day in Narbonne to cycle to the beach.

Extra day in Marseillan.

DEPARTURES

Every day.

DISTANCE

192 Km via Narbonne

182 Km via Mirepeisset

PRICE (BIKE INCLUDED)

April and October €895 PP

May to September €995 PP

Price for double occupancy

(photos are non-contractual)

Bike Tour by Day - Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

Day 1: Arrival in Castelnaudary

Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

Visit the historic center of Castelnaudary. This city can be reached by train. For the evening meal we recommend you try the local specialty cassoulet.

Day 2: Castelnaudary to Carcassonne ~42 Km

Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

A beautiful cycling day awaits you today as you go from Castelnaudary to Carcassonne. Sunflower fields stretching all the way to the horizon are visible during the first months of the summer. Pass by Bram and visit its archaeological museum, located just a few Km from the canal and reachable by dedicated bike path.

Day 3: Carcassonne to Homps ~39 Km

Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

You have some time in the morning to explore the castle of Carcassonne if you have not done so yet. Start your bike tour along the Canal Du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cycling is easy on the ancient towpaths with no traffic.

Day 4: Homps to Narbonne ~45 Km

Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

Continue cycling along the Canal Du Midi towards Narbonne. You will pass by Le Somail around noon time, making this ancient rest stop a good spot for you to take a break and lunch as well. Later you will cycle past the Canal de la Jonction and the Canal de la Robine right to the hearth of Narbonne.

Day 5: Narbonne to Béziers ~35 Km

Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

Cycle along paved county roads back to the Canal Du Midi. Visit the Malpas Tunnel, the only tunnel on the Canal Du Midi. Shortly after you will pass by the famous Nine Locks of Béziers, the masterpiece of the Canal Du Midi. These locks offer a fantastic view of Béziers, the birth place of Paul Riquet (the builder of the Canal Du Midi). Cycle over the Orb aqueduct to enter the oldest city in France, Béziers.

Day 6: Béziers to Marseillan ~31 Km

Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

After breakfast you head down through the Parc des Poets towards the Canal Du Midi. If you pay attention, you might be able to see the Mediterranean sea glimmer in the distance from downtown Béziers. Flamingos and horses might make their appearance today, between Portiragnes and Marseillan, usually towards the south of the bike path. Agde is France's second oldest city, Marseille being the first. It dates from the Greek times.

Day 7: Marseillan

Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

Explore the beautiful village center and port of Marseillan.

Alternative Tour - Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

Day 3: Carcassonne to Puichéric (alternative route) ~ 32 Km

Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

Take your time to visit the old cite of Carcassonne this morning. Start cycling in late morning to reach Trebes for lunch. Trebes is about 14 km away and has a plenitude of restaurants to choose from, all overlooking the canal. Spend the night in a château classified as an historic monument.

Day 4: Puichéric to Mirepeisset (alternative route) ~ 33 Km

Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

Keep following the Canal Du Midi. You will have time today to take it easy, cycling past Le Somail. Le Somail was founded by Paul Riquet and served as one of the overnight stays for passengers on the mail boat. Le Somail is picture perfect and is a good place to have lunch. It is also home to a very large bookstore that has a small English book section as well.

Day 5: Mirepeisset to Béziers (alternative route) ~ 44 Km

Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

Cycle along the Canal Du Midi from Mirepeisset directly to Béziers. Pass by Capestang and visit its imposing cathedral. Make sure to stop at the tourist office here as it houses the best Canal Du Midi souvenir shop along the entire route. Visit the famous Nine Locks in Béziers and the Malpas Tunnel, both on the Canal Du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Optional Days - Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

Day 4: Rest day in Homps (optional circle bike ride to Minerve ~32 Km)

Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

Today you have the chose of going for a swim in the hotel pool or the nearby lake. For the more sportive persons, there is the option of cycling to Minerve and back. This will require a bit of climbing. The trip to Minerve will be on county roads. There is a taxi service that can take you and your bikes to Minerve if you wish (not included; book yourself or with our assistance; pay taxi driver yourself).

Day 5: Rest day in Narbonne (optional bike trip to the beach ~40 Km or ~65 Km)

Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

Explore the small city of Narbonne. Visit the cathedral and its museum. Have lunch in the Halles or one of the many great restaurants in the city center. Today also includes two optional bike rides to the beach. You can continue along the Canal de la Robine to either Port Nouvelle or Gruissan. Port Nouvelle has a train station so you could take the train back to Narbonne with the bikes, or vice versa depending on wind directions. Gruissan is closer by and is more beautiful, but has no train station so you have to go back the same way you came. There is also an extreme option of ~65Km circle ride around the La Clape mountain back to Narbonne (GPS phone app required).

Whatʼs Included - Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

What’s Included:

6 nights accommodation in 3* hotels and B&B's, some with pools
breakfasts everyday
Luggage transport from hotel to hotel each day
Bike rental: Comfortable premium quality hybrid bike with panniers
Technical support (not including flat tire)

Optional: (not included)

Extra days of bike touring

Not Included:

Your trip between here and your home, before & after the tour
Your travel and health insurance
Your private costs, souvenirs, gifts, telephone, minibar, etc

Bike Tour Gallery* - Self guided Canal Du Midi Bike Tour - Bespoke

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*images are non-contractual

Booking - Inquiry

Cycling tours in the south of France.

To take the first step to this bike tour, please send us this form. We will email you in a few hours about availabilities and all the next steps to confirm your booking.

You can also email us at relaxbeziers@gmail.com

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