The Ideal Tour
Carcassonne to Sète
A perfectly balanced week from medieval Carcassonne to Sète on the Mediterranean — the official end of the Canal du Midi.
Daily luggage transfer
5 cycling days,
Carcassonne to Sète
Following the Canal du Midi downstream with the prevailing winds at your back, this tour captures the very best of the canal. From the UNESCO Cité of Carcassonne you cycle east through vineyards and historic villages, overnight in Roman Narbonne, pass the famous Nine Locks of Béziers, and finish on a spectacular beach-path ride into Sète — the Venice of southern France.
The most popular and complete route. Follow the Canal du Midi, detour into Narbonne via the Canal de la Robine, then continue to Béziers and finish on a stunning beach-side path into Sète.
Canals: Canal du Midi · Canal de la Jonction · Canal de la Robine
Arrive by car, train or plane into Carcassonne. Explore the medieval Cité — the largest medieval castle in the world, said to have inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty.
Start your canal adventure on the ancient towpaths. Easy, traffic-free cycling with views of the Pyrenees on clear days.
After breakfast bikes are delivered and fitted at your hotel, roadbook explained.
Cycle east via Le Somail for lunch. Continue along the Canal de la Jonction and Canal de la Robine into Narbonne. Visit the Amphoralis Roman pottery museum along the way.
Return to the Canal du Midi. Visit the Malpas Tunnel and the Nine Locks of Fonseranes before crossing the Orb aqueduct into Béziers.
Head south through Béziers towards the coast. Flamingos and wild horses may appear near Portiragnes. Pass through ancient Agde, France's second oldest city, founded by the Greeks.
A short, spectacular final day along a paved bike path following the beach from Marseillan to Sète. Plenty of opportunities to swim. Sète is the official end of the Canal du Midi. Bikes collected at your hotel in the evening.
Explore Sète — the Venice of southern France — with its canals, seafood restaurants and lively fishing harbour. Sète has a train station with connections to Montpellier, Béziers, Toulouse, Paris and Barcelona.
Make it your own
Extra day in Homps
Optional circular ride to Minerve (~32 km) or simply relax by the pool. Taxi to Minerve also available.
Extra day in Carcassonne
A second night to fully explore the Cité and lower town.
Extra day in Narbonne
Cycle to the beach at Gruissan or Port-la-Nouvelle along the Canal de la Robine.
Extra day in Marseillan
Stay at a favourite B&B with pool, set among the vineyards near the Étang de Thau.
"Every tour is private and customised to your specific needs."
Book This Tour ↓Stay on the canal throughout, overnighting at a historic château in Puichéric and passing through Le Somail and Capestang before Béziers and the Mediterranean finish.
Canals: Canal du Midi
Explore the medieval Cité — one of Europe's finest preserved fortified towns.
Start after visiting the Cité. Lunch in Trèbes, then overnight in a château classified as a historic monument.
After breakfast bikes are delivered and fitted at your hotel, roadbook explained.
Relaxed canal cycling past Le Somail — an unmissable lunch stop with a charming bookshop.
Pass Capestang cathedral and the famous souvenir shop, then finish at the Nine Locks and Malpas Tunnel.
Cycle south through Agde towards the Étang de Thau. Watch for flamingos near Portiragnes.
The spectacular beach-path finale into Sète, the official end of the Canal du Midi.
Explore Sète and depart by train.
Make it your own
Extra day in Homps
Optional circular ride to Minerve (~32 km) or simply relax by the pool. Taxi to Minerve also available.
Extra day in Carcassonne
A second night to fully explore the Cité and lower town.
Extra day in Narbonne
Cycle to the beach at Gruissan or Port-la-Nouvelle along the Canal de la Robine.
Extra day in Marseillan
Stay at a favourite B&B with pool, set among the vineyards near the Étang de Thau.
"Every tour is private and customised to your specific needs."
Book This Tour ↓Ready to ride?
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