Cycling the Canal de la Garonne

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.

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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
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

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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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Sample route

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