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Cycling the Canal de la Garonne

From Bordeaux to Toulouse

By Declan Lyons

ISBN

9781852847838

Availability

Published

11 Jan 2019

Edition

First

Pages

192

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.15cm

Weight

220g

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A guidebook for cycling France's Canal de la Garonne, describing 290km of cycle route from Bordeaux to Toulouse, where it connects with the Canal du Midi. Describes a 135km excursion to the Atlantic Ocean, with detours to many historical towns and villages along the route. With information on accommodation, facilities and cycle shops on route.

Seasons

This route is best cycled in spring, summer or autumn. It may be cycled in winter too but the weather is less predictable.

Centres

Atlantic coast, Bordeaux, Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, La Reole, Marmande, Buzet-sur-Bäise, Porte-Ste-Marie, Agen, Moissac, Montech, Montauban and Toulouse

Difficulty

An easy and highly enjoyable cycle and suitable for lone cyclists, families, groups and those using e-bikes. Most of it is flat or has a very gradual incline.

Must See

Bustling Bordeaux and the rose city of Toulouse. Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, Marmande, Agen, Valence d'Agen, Moissac, Montech and Montauban. Beautiful Gascony countryside and the rivers Garonne, Bäise and Tarn.

ISBN

9781852847838

Availability

Published

11 Jan 2019

Edition

First

Pages

192

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.15cm

Weight

220g

Overview

This guidebook presents a cycle ride along the Canal de la Garonne in the south of France. The 290km route is covered in 7 stages from bustling Bordeaux to the splendid rose city of Toulouse, with a 135km excursion from to Lacanau on the Atlantic coast. Optional side trips explore the countryside and historical towns and villages, including Agen, Moissac, Marmande and Montauban. Mainly flat and easy cycling, including 193km along the main canal towpath, this is an easy route suitable for lone cyclists, families, groups and those using e-bikes. It is perfect for those planning a cycling holiday, and for people boating on the canal or holidaying nearby who want to get out and explore.

A detailed route description is accompanied by 1:50,000 maps, with fascinating information about the places encountered along the route and notes on the region's history and the building of the canal. The guidebook also contains practical information on travel, choosing the right bike and equipment, facilities and cycle shops.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Introduction

Regions of the canal

The canal’s construction

History

Culture

Wildlife

Cycling the Garonne canal

When to go

Getting there

Accommodation

Food and drink

Your bike

What to take

Health and safety

Security

Maps

Money and communications

Using this guide

The Canal de la Garonne

Prologue From Bordeaux to the Atlantic

Stage 1 Bordeaux to Sauveterre-de-Guyenne

Stage 2 Sauveterre-de-Guyenne to Marmande

Stage 3 Marmande to Buzet-sur-Baïse

Stage 4 Buzet-sur-Baïse to Agen

Excursion 1 To Port-Sainte-Marie and Clermont-Dessous

Excursion 2 To Nérac

Stage 5 Agen to Moissac

Excursion 3 To Auvillar

Stage 6 Moissac to Montauban

Stage 7 Montauban to Toulouse

Appendix A Distances between locks

Appendix B Accommodation

Appendix C Useful information

Appendix D English–French glossary

Appendix E Further reading

Maps

Maps

The Institut Géographique National (IGN) produces maps covering the route and excursions. Use 1:100,000 maps in the TOP 100 series. Maps numbered TOP 100145, TOP100160, TOP100161 and TOP100168 cover the route from the Atlantic to Toulouse. These are available from local shops and https://ignrando.fr.

Canal entre deux mers signage

Updates

We do not yet have any updates available for this book

We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).

Reviews

A compact and comprehensive guide to this part of southwest France.

The introduction is as useful as ever. The history section runs over the extensive English involvement in the Middle Ages and later includes the Gironde kayak raid on Nazi shipping interests in Bordeaux during the Second World War. The culture including local foods and wines, wildlife including midges and mosquitoes, climate, health and safety, security, accommodation, money, phones and IGN maps are featured to give a compact and comprehensive guide to this part of southwest France.

Stuart Fisher

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Declan Lyons

Declan Lyons has a lifelong passion for cycling and touring. He was bitten by the bug when, as a teenager in the 1960s, he explored the wilds of Connemara on a rusty three-speed Rudge bicycle. Since then he has toured extensively in Ireland and further afield, including regular trips from the Channel to the Mediterranean. Declan is an advocate of cycle touring – taking time on his cycles and relishing the nature, history and daily life all around. He has toured the region between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean extensively.

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