The Extended Tour
Lac St Ferreol to Sète via Cathar Route
The most complete Canal du Midi experience. Combine the full canal journey with the rich Cathar history of the Languedoc — 11 days from the Black Mountains to the Mediterranean.
Daily luggage transfer
7 cycling days,
Revel / Lac St Ferreol to Sète
This tour combines the Source to Sea route with the Cathar heritage route, adding two memorable rest days in Carcassonne and Homps. You cycle from Lac St Ferreol all the way to Sète with time to explore Cathar strongholds, the medieval Cité of Carcassonne, the Roman city of Narbonne and the spectacular coast. For those who want to see everything the region has to offer, this is the tour.
The complete journey from the mountain source to the sea, with rest days in Carcassonne and Homps to explore Cathar history, and a rest day in Narbonne for a beach excursion.
Canals: Canal du Midi · Canal de la Jonction · Canal de la Robine
Arrive at the beautiful Lac St Ferreol. The hotel overlooks the lake and has a pool — many guests wish they had booked an extra night here.
Follow the Rigole — the mountain creek that feeds the canal — all the way down to the waterway, then east to Castelnaudary, the cassoulet capital.
After breakfast bikes are delivered and fitted at your hotel, roadbook explained.
Cycle through sunflower fields to Carcassonne, passing Bram.
Explore the Cité at leisure. For those wanting more activity, an optional bike ride leads to Lastours — an ancient Cathar stronghold in the mountains north of Carcassonne (~36 km, some traffic).
Join the Canal du Midi and cycle east through peaceful vineyards and garrigue.
Swim in the pool or nearby lake. Optional circular ride to the Cathar village of Minerve and back (~32 km, some climbing). Taxi to Minerve also available.
Lunch in Le Somail. Continue via the Canal de la Jonction and Canal de la Robine into Narbonne.
Explore Narbonne's cathedral and museum. Optional rides to the beach: Gruissan (~40 km return) or Port-la-Nouvelle (has a train). Epic circular option: 65 km around La Clape mountain.
Return to the Canal du Midi. Visit the Malpas Tunnel and Nine Locks before crossing the Orb aqueduct into Béziers.
The spectacular final cycling day — flamingos near Portiragnes, optional Marseillan harbour visit, then the beach bike path into Sète.
Explore Sète — the Venice of southern France — before departing by train.
Make it your own
Extra day in Marseillan
Break the Béziers–Sète day with an overnight in Marseillan at a favourite B&B with pool.
Extra day in Béziers
Cycle to the beach at Portiragnes Plage, or all the way to Sète by train.
Extra day at Lac St Ferreol
The lake hotel is so popular that many guests book two nights before the tour begins.
Taxi from Toulouse to Lac St Ferreol
A taxi transfer from Toulouse to Lac St Ferreol is available — ask us for details.
"Every tour is private and customised to your specific needs."
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