Cycle the Canal de la Garonne and follow one of southern France's most relaxed and rewarding waterway routes, from the great wine city of Bordeaux through the beautiful Gascony countryside to the rose-pink city of Toulouse, where the canal connects with the UNESCO World Heritage Canal du Midi. Flat, largely traffic-free, and completable in a week, this is one of France's most accessible and enjoyable long-distance cycle routes.

Suitable for first-time and experienced long-distance cyclists, families, and e-bike riders alike, this trusted Cicerone guidebook by author Declan Lyons describes the 290km (180-mile) route from north to south in 7 stages of 31–59km (19–37 miles). An optional 135km (84-mile) excursion from Bordeaux to the Atlantic coast at Lacanau is also described, along with a series of side trips to historic towns and villages throughout the Garonne valley.

• Cycle the Canal de la Garonne in 7 stages from Bordeaux to Toulouse, following the flat, largely traffic-free towpath through the beautiful Gascony countryside, passing the rivers Garonne, Baïse, and Tarn along the way.
• Extend your adventure with a 135km (84-mile) prologue excursion from Bordeaux to the Atlantic coast at Lacanau, and optional side trips to historic towns and villages including Agen, Moissac, Marmande, Valence d'Agen, and Montauban throughout the route.
• Discover the highlights of the Canal de la Garonne including bustling Bordeaux and the medieval bastide of Sauveterre-de-Guyenne in the north, the beautiful Gascony countryside around Nérac, and the rose-pink city of Toulouse at the journey's end.
• Navigate with confidence using 1:100,000 maps and elevation profiles included for each stage, with comprehensive refreshment and accommodation information and a full accommodation appendix covering the entire route.
• Plan your Canal de la Garonne cycling trip with practical advice on planning and preparation, your bike and what to take, getting there, health and safety, and cycle shops with repair facilities along the route.
• Continue your journey onto the Canal du Midi from Toulouse, with this guidebook forming the perfect first leg of a longer coast-to-coast crossing of southern France from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.

Cycle the Canal de la Garonne with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. From the vineyards of Bordeaux to the pink city of Toulouse, this is the essential companion for one of southern France's most enjoyable and accessible waterway cycling routes.

Cycling the Canal de la Garonne – Quick Facts

Location: France – south-western France, Bordeaux to Toulouse
Start point: Bordeaux
End point: Toulouse
Route covered: 290km (180 miles)
Number of stages: 7 stages (31–59km/19–37 miles each)
Direction: North to south
Typical duration: 1 week
Difficulty: Easy; flat or very gradual incline throughout; suitable for lone cyclists, families, groups, and e-bike riders; no previous long-distance cycling experience required
Terrain: Flat, largely traffic-free canal towpath through the Gascony countryside
Navigation/mapping: 1:100,000 maps and elevation profiles included for each stage
Key centres: Bordeaux, Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, La Réole, Marmande, Buzet-sur-Baïse, Agen, Moissac, Montech, Montauban, Toulouse
Highlights: Bordeaux, Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, beautiful Gascony countryside, rivers Garonne, Baïse and Tarn, Agen, Moissac, Montauban, Toulouse; optional Atlantic coast excursion to Lacanau
Accommodation & logistics: Comprehensive accommodation appendix, refreshment and accommodation information for every stage, cycle shop listings, and practical travel advice
Best time to go: Spring, summer, or autumn; winter is possible but weather is less predictabl
Companion title: Cycling the Canal du Midi (also available from Cicerone) — together the two guides describe a full coast-to-coast crossing of southern France

Author Highlight

“The Bordeaux region is a cycling paradise of long traffic-free stretches of cycle track with gentle climbs through forests, vineyards, farms and medieval villages. The Garonne canal is at the heart of this. Its 193km asphalted towpath from Castets-en-Dorthe to Toulouse is a dedicated cycle path for most of its length. Occasionally, it uses roads but these are minor with little traffic. Both Bordeaux and Toulouse are cycling cities with a network of tracks that allow you to explore them with ease.”

- Declan Lyons, author of Cycling the Canal de Garonne

Route summary table
Map key
Overview map
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

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.

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