Cycling the Canal du Midi

Cycle the Canal du Midi and follow one of southern France's most celebrated waterways, a UNESCO World Heritage route from the vibrant pink city of Toulouse to the sparkling shores of the Mediterranean at Sète, passing through a landscape of plane tree-lined towpaths, ancient locks, vineyards, and medieval towns. Flat, car-free, and taking around a week to complete, this route is suitable for beginners and experienced long-distance cyclists alike.

This comprehensive guidebook by author Declan Lyons describes the 260km (162-mile) route in 5 stages west to east, each between 40 and 63km (25–39 miles) in length. Optional excursions to nearby towns and countryside are also included, making it easy to tailor the trip to your interests and schedule.

Cycle the Canal du Midi in 5 manageable stages from Toulouse to Sète, following the flat, largely car-free towpath through the heart of the Languedoc, with each stage between 40 and 63km and completable in a single day
Explore beyond the canal with optional excursions to historic towns and villages, including Carcassonne, Narbonne, Minerve, and Béziers, adding cultural depth and variety to your cycling holiday
Navigate with confidence using 1:200,000 maps and elevation profiles included for each stage, giving you a clear picture of the route and terrain throughout your journey from Toulouse to the Mediterranean
Plan your trip with ease using handy stage planning tables, comprehensive accommodation listings, and practical notes on refreshments, cycle shops, and repair facilities along the Canal du Midi route
Discover the rich history, wildlife, and culture of the Languedoc with introductory sections covering the canal's remarkable engineering history, the varied landscapes and wildlife of the region, and the food and drink traditions of southern France


Plan your Canal du Midi cycling adventure with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. Immerse yourself in the landscapes, history, and culture of southern France on one of Europe's easier and most rewarding long-distance cycle routes.

Seasons

Suitable all year round. Busier and hot in summer, but with lots going on; ideal temperatures but higher average rainfall in spring and autumn; quietest in winter, but with Christmas markets and fairs.

Centres

Toulouse, Carcassone, Beziers, Sète

Difficulty

Suitable for all abilities - flat and car-free along the canal with optional slightly hillier excursions by road if desired. Described in five stages to fit within a week's holiday.

Must See

Historic towns and cities: Ancient Greek Agde, Roman Narbonne, Toulouse, the 'Rose City', Carcassonne's 12th-century fortified Cité. Real French culture of La France Profonde, including myriad local festivals. Varied countryside with a wide range of animals and plants.

Map key
Overview map
INTRODUCTION
Regions of the canal
History
Wildlife
Culture
Cycling the Canal du Midi
When to go
Getting there and getting around
Accommodation
Food and drink
Your bike
What to take
Cycling the towpath
Health and safety
Weather
Maps
Money and communications
Using this guide
THE CANAL DU MIDI
Stage 1 Toulouse to Port Lauragais
Stage 2 Port Lauragais to Carcassone
Excursion 1 From Criminelle lock to St-Ferr&##xe9;ol reservoir
Stage 3 Carcassone to Homps
Excursion 2 From Tr&##xe8;bes to Lastours
Excursion 3 From Homps to Minerve
Stage 4 Homps to B&##xe9;ziers
Excursion 4 To Narbonne and Port la Nouvelle
Stage 5 B&##xe9;ziers to S&##xe8;te
Excursion 5 To Vendres salt lagoon
Excursion 6 Across Portiragnes marshes to S&##xe9;rignan
Appendix A Stage planning tables
Appendix B Accommodation
Appendix C Useful information
Appendix D English-French glossary
Appendix E Further reading