The Source to Sea Tour
Lac St Ferreol to Sète
Begin at the very source of the Canal du Midi — the beautiful Lac St Ferreol in the Black Mountains — and follow the water all the way to the Mediterranean at Sète.
Daily luggage transfer
6 cycling days,
Revel / Lac St Ferreol to Sète
Lac St Ferreol was built between 1667 and 1672 by Paul Riquet to supply the Canal du Midi with water. At the time of its completion it was the largest dam in the world. Starting here, you follow the Rigole creek down to the canal, then cycle the full length of the waterway to Sète — the most complete Canal du Midi journey available in 8 days.
Follow the water from its mountain source all the way to the Mediterranean, via Castelnaudary, Carcassonne, Narbonne and Béziers. The most complete journey on the Canal du Midi.
Canals: Canal du Midi · Canal de la Jonction · Canal de la Robine
Arrive at the beautiful Lac St Ferreol in the Black Mountains — the oldest part of the Canal du Midi. The hotel has a pool and overlooks the lake. Many guests wish they had booked an extra night here simply to enjoy the surroundings.
Begin by cycling the Rigole — the man-made creek that carries water from the mountains to the canal, about 37 km away. At the canal, turn east towards Castelnaudary, the home of cassoulet.
After breakfast bikes are delivered and fitted at your hotel, roadbook explained.
Cycle through sunflower fields to Carcassonne. Pass Bram and its archaeological museum.
Explore the Cité in the morning then join the canal. Easy, traffic-free cycling through vineyards and garrigue.
Lunch in Le Somail. Continue via the Canal de la Jonction and Canal de la Robine into Narbonne. Visit the Amphoralis Museum — an open-air Roman pottery site — on the way.
County roads back to the Canal du Midi. Visit the Malpas Tunnel and the Nine Locks before crossing the Orb aqueduct into Béziers.
Follow the paved towpath south past flamingos and wild horses. Optional visit to Marseillan. Finish on a spectacular beach bike path into Sète.
Explore Sète before departing by train — connections to Montpellier, Béziers, Toulouse, Paris and Barcelona.
Make it your own
Extra day at Lac St Ferreol
Many guests wish they had booked an extra night at the lake hotel — the setting is exceptional.
Extra day in Carcassonne
A second night at the Cité — the most popular bespoke addition on this tour.
Extra day in Narbonne
Cycle to the beach at Gruissan or Port-la-Nouvelle along the Canal de la Robine.
Extra day in Sète
The Venice of southern France rewards an unhurried extra day.
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."
Book This Tour ↓Stay on the towpath for almost the entire journey, overnighting at a château in Puichéric and passing through Le Somail and Capestang.
Canals: Canal du Midi
Arrive at Lac St Ferreol. Swim, relax and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Follow the Rigole creek down to the canal, then east to Castelnaudary.
After breakfast bikes are delivered and fitted at your hotel, roadbook explained.
Sunflower fields and canal all the way to Carcassonne.
Lunch in Trèbes. Overnight in a historic château.
Relaxed cycling past Le Somail — the picture-perfect canal village.
Pass Capestang and its cathedral. Visit the Nine Locks and Malpas Tunnel.
The spectacular final day — flamingos, Marseillan harbour and the beach path into Sète.
Explore Sète before departing by train.
Make it your own
Extra day at Lac St Ferreol
Many guests wish they had booked an extra night at the lake hotel — the setting is exceptional.
Extra day in Carcassonne
A second night at the Cité — the most popular bespoke addition on this tour.
Extra day in Narbonne
Cycle to the beach at Gruissan or Port-la-Nouvelle along the Canal de la Robine.
Extra day in Sète
The Venice of southern France rewards an unhurried extra day.
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."
Book This Tour ↓Ready to ride?
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