The Essential Tour
Carcassonne to Béziers
The best of the Canal du Midi distilled into five unforgettable days. Cycle from medieval Carcassonne to the ancient city of Béziers, with an overnight in Narbonne or along the classic towpath.
Daily luggage transfer
3 cycling days,
Carcassonne to Béziers
This tour covers the most iconic stretch of the Canal du Midi, following the waterway downstream — and with the prevailing winds at your back. You will cycle through sunflower fields, past Roman ruins and Cathar castles, pausing at Le Somail and the spectacular Nine Locks of Béziers. Two route options let you choose between the historic city of Narbonne or a more intimate towpath experience through Mirepeisset and Capestang.
The most popular option. Follow the Canal du Midi east, then detour south along the Canal de la Jonction and Canal de la Robine into Narbonne before rejoining the main canal to Béziers.
Canals: Canal du Midi · Canal de la Jonction · Canal de la Robine
Arrive by car, train or plane directly into Carcassonne. Spend the afternoon exploring the medieval Cité — the largest medieval castle in the world, said to have inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty.
Begin your journey along the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Easy cycling on ancient towpaths with no traffic. Sunflower fields stretch to the horizon in summer.
After breakfast bikes are delivered and fitted at your hotel, roadbook explained.
Head east along the Canal du Midi. Enjoy a relaxed lunch in Le Somail, a picture-perfect canal village. Continue past the Canal de la Jonction and follow the Canal de la Robine into the heart of Narbonne. Along the way, visit the Amphoralis Museum, built on a Roman amphora factory.
Cycle back to the Canal du Midi via paved county roads. Visit the Malpas Tunnel — the only tunnel on the canal. Pass the spectacular Nine Locks of Fonseranes, dropping 21 metres over nine chambers. Cross the Orb aqueduct into Béziers, birthplace of Paul Riquet.
Explore Béziers at leisure — its covered market, magnificent cathedral with climbable tower, and the bustling Allées Paul Riquet. Béziers has an airport with flights to the UK, Germany, Norway and Paris, and a train station with connections throughout France and Spain.
Make it your own
Start in Castelnaudary
Have bikes delivered to Castelnaudary and begin your tour from there — the home of cassoulet.
Extra day in Carcassonne
Spend a second night in Carcassonne to fully explore the medieval Cité without rushing.
Extra day in Narbonne
Cycle from Narbonne along the Canal de la Robine to the beach at Gruissan or Port-la-Nouvelle.
Extra day in Homps
Take a rest day and cycle to the ancient Cathar village of Minerve and back (~32 km). A taxi service is also available if you prefer.
"Every tour is private and customised to your specific needs."
Book This Tour ↓Stay closer to the canal throughout. Overnight in a château at Puichéric, cycle through Le Somail and pass the imposing cathedral at Capestang before arriving in Béziers.
Canals: Canal du Midi
Arrive by car, train or plane directly into Carcassonne. Spend the afternoon exploring the medieval Cité — the largest medieval castle in the world, said to have inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty.
Visit the Cité in the morning, then start cycling mid-morning. Stop in Trèbes for lunch — plenty of canal-side restaurants to choose from. Spend the night in a château classified as a historic monument.
Continue along the Canal du Midi at a leisurely pace. Le Somail is the highlight — a picture-perfect village with a canal-side bookshop that even has an English section.
Cycle through Capestang and visit its imposing cathedral. Stop at the tourist office — it has the best Canal du Midi souvenir shop on the entire route. Finish with the Nine Locks and Malpas Tunnel in Béziers.
Explore Béziers at leisure — its covered market, magnificent cathedral with climbable tower, and the bustling Allées Paul Riquet. Béziers has an airport with flights to the UK, Germany, Norway and Paris, and a train station with connections throughout France and Spain.
Make it your own
Start in Castelnaudary
Have bikes delivered to Castelnaudary and begin your tour from there — the home of cassoulet.
Extra day in Carcassonne
Spend a second night in Carcassonne to fully explore the medieval Cité without rushing.
Extra day in Narbonne
Cycle from Narbonne along the Canal de la Robine to the beach at Gruissan or Port-la-Nouvelle.
Extra day in Homps
Take a rest day and cycle to the ancient Cathar village of Minerve and back (~32 km). A taxi service is also available if you prefer.
"Every tour is private and customised to your specific needs."
Book This Tour ↓Ready to ride?
Get in touch
Fill in your details below and we'll prepare a personalised quote within 24 hours. All tours are private and fully customised — no two are exactly alike.
Clicking "Send Enquiry" will open your email client with all details pre-filled. No data is sent directly from this page.