THE CANAL DU MIDI BY BIKE FROM TOULOUSE TO CARCASSONNE

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1 THE CANAL DU MIDI BY BIKE FROM TOULOUSE TO CARCASSONNE 4 days / 3 nights (version 5 days / 4 nights) Self-guided cycling holiday - onward journey This first part of our cycling route along the Canal du Midi proposes an itinerary from Toulouse to Carcassonne. To start off, we suggest a tour of Toulouse (on bike or on foot) before crossing the Lauragais. If you want to start your trip gently, then we recommend an overnight in a pretty B&B with a swimming pool. This magical landscape of the Lauragais is full of fortified hamlets, abbeys and attractive villages and we encourage you to take the time to explore a little. You arrive in Castelnaudary, home of cassoulet, where we advise you on the best restaurants to delight your taste buds. The canal leads you next to the medieval city of Carcassonne, which you cannot miss visiting. HIGHLIGHTS A Toulouse-based company, situated on the banks of the canal du midi A selection of B&Bs and charming hotels, often with a swimming pool A bike trip with reasonable étapes or stages in the most beautiful sites of the Canal du Midi, chosen by our local cycling specialists New, comfortable bikes, adjusted to your size

2 DAY BY DAY Day 1: VISIT TOULOUSE BY BIKE OR ON FOOT B&B / 2* hotel Arrival in Toulouse. Time to soak up the atmosphere of this latin town, with its numerous lively squares. Whether on foot or by bike, explore the many narrow, historic streets of la ville rose (the pink town), with its exceptional architectural heritage. Le Capitole, la basilique Saint Sernin and the Jacobins are amongst the unmissable sights. Passionate ourselves about our city of Toulouse, we will know how to help you discover the very best and most authentic places. Night in Toulouse with dinner of your own choice. Toulouse bike tour and supplementary nights possible See Our Supplementary Services (page 6) Day 2 : FROM TOULOUSE TO RENNEVILLE OR CASTELNAUDARY B&B / 2* Hôtel From 09h00, you can collect your bike, equipment and trip documents from our offices. These are situated near your hotel, where we will take care of your luggage. Our team will welcome you and give you plenty of good advice for your journey. After 50km of tarmacked green lane you arrive at the highly agreeable seuil de Naurouze, watershed between the Atlantic and Mediterranean. You spend the night in Renneville ou in Castelnaudary, the largest inland port between Toulouse and the Mediterranean. Dinner of your own choice. Cycling: 30 km or 65 km Day 3 (OPTION) : THE CANAL DU MIDI FROM RENNEVILLE TO CASTELNAUDARY - B&B / 2* Hôtel Supplementary stage possible in order to divide this first stage into 2 days of 30 km, for a more gentle start. Pretty B&B with a pool in the village of Renneville.

3 Day 3 (or day 4) : FROM CASTELNAUDARY TO CARCASSONNE You set off along the banks of the Grand Bassin de Castelnaudary, a small lake at the foot of the town. Suddenly, far away, you can see the unbelievable splendour of the medieval city of Carcassonne. This short stage leaves you free to explore Carcassonne during the afternoon. Vélo : 42 km B&B / 2* Hôtel Jour 4 (ou Jour 5) : CARCASSONNE Your holiday ends after your breakfast. Bike hire for the day is an option (15 per person). We recommend a pretty tour that starts in Carcassonne, allowing you to discover the city as well as vineyards and the Cavayère lake. THE CANAL DU MIDI BY BIKE - (Part 2) It is possible to prolong your trip to go as far as the sea, with the 2 nd part of the Canal du Midi by bike, from Carcassonne to Agde, Sète or Montpellier. We also offer the integral version of the Canal du Midi by bike, from Toulouse to Agde, Sète or Montpellier. WARNING The names and the photos of accommodation are given for information purposes. According to availability, the B&Bs or hotels could be modified and replaced without warning by another establishment of the same category.

4 PRICE Number of participants 2 people 3 and more 4 days/3 nights - From Toulouse to Carcassonne 5 days/4 nights - From Toulouse to Carcassonne With supplementary stage in the Lauragais Supplement July/August per person Price shown per person, in a shared room of 2, 3 or 4 people. Please indicate your room preference when booking. OUR PRICE INCLUDES: - 3/4 nights in pretty B&Bs or 2* hotels (I 2 nights with a swimming pool) - Breakfasts - Luggage transfers (1 bag per person) - Taxes de séjour (local accommodation tax) A booking for 2-3 people includes : - Maps marked with the itinerary - A detailed description of the itinerary OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: - bike hire - travel between your home and the start and end of the holiday - lunches and dinners - spending on personal items such as souvenirs and drinks - travel insurance covering cancellation, illness and repatriation - generally all that is not mentioned in Our Price Includes. OPTIONS : - Bike hire for the length of the stay including its return to the start of the trip: 50 per person for the 4 day/3 night holiday - 70 per person pour 5 day/4 night holiday - Electric bicycle (or ebike): + 15 per day to be added to the price of the bike hire above - Supplement comfort (upgrade to charming B&Bs and 3* hotels, 3-4 nights with a swimming pool): 70 per person for the 4 day/3 night holiday - 90 per person for the 5 day/4 night holiday. - Single room supplement: 35 per night, per person

5 OUR SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES Option : Price per person : Bike hire throughout the trip, including its return to the start 50-4 days / 3 nights 70-5 days/ 4 nights Hire of an electric bike (ebike) +15 per day to add to the above tariff Single room supplement/ person alone 35 per day Supplement comfort Upgrade to charming B&Bs and 3* hotels 70-4 days / 3 nights 90-5 days / 4 nights Supplement picnics included 11 per day TOULOUSE Supplementary night in Toulouse in a 2* hotel on a bed and breakfast basis Supplementary night in Toulouse in a 3* hotel, on a bed and breakfast basis 55 per person sharing a double room 75 single 70 per person sharing a double room 135 single CARCASSONNE Bike hire for an additional day 15

6 OUR SELECTION OF ACCOMMODATION «Standard» You sleep in pretty Bed and Breakfasts, or welcoming 2* hotels, ideally situated for your overnight stays along the length of the canal. The swimming pools will give you the chance of a refreshing bathe at the end of the day (1-2 nights). Breakfast is included. With the supplement comfort (+70 or + 90 /personne) You stay in particularly characterful B&Bs and in 3* hotels. Relaxation assured, with a swimming pool on most nights for a refreshing bathe (3-4 nights). Breakfast is included. We have selected for you characterful B&Bs where you will find a warm welcome and often a swimming pool (3 nights). These are ideally situated along the length of the canal. According to availability at the time of your inscription, it could be possible that you are booked into a different B&B of the same category or into a 2* hotel.

7 DEPARTURE DATES Depart on the dates of your choice TO BOOK Contact us by sandrine.leberre@maisonduvelotoulouse.com By telephone : +33 (0)

8 INFORMATIONS PRATIQUES MEETING : From 09h00 on day 2 at our offices, situated opposite the train station Matabiau in Toulouse. DEPARTURE : Your holiday ends after breakfast in Carcassonne. If you hire your bike for an additional day, you can leave it at our partner in Carcassonne, just next to the SNCF train station. ACCOMMODATION : STANDARD You stay in B&Bs, 1 or 2 of which have swimming pools. Breakfast is included. The accommodation is simple, clean and convivial. We have selected these B&Bs for their authenticity, their charm and for the very good welcome that you are going to find there. NB: If our chosen B&Bs are not available on the desired dates at the time of your inscription, it is possible that we will propose welcoming 2* hotels to you on certain nights. UPGRADE COMFORT +70 or +90 per person You stay in particularly characterful B&Bs and in 3* hotels. Relaxation assured, with a swimming pool on most nights for a refreshing bathe (3-4 nights). Breakfast is included. MEALS : To give you maximum flexibility, we have left you free to choose your own dinners rather than include these in the holiday price. There are numerous restaurants possible on each night. LEVEL : Stages of 35 to 65 km per day. Almost entirely flat, bike paths are tarmacked on approximately one third of the itinerary. The remaining two thirds are on earth towpaths. Possible with sport-loving children of 10 years and older. GUIDING/MONITORING : self-guided, unaccompanied holiday

9 HOW TO GET HERE : In order to limit your CO2 emissions, we encourage you to car-share or use public transport. IF YOU COME BY TRAIN =>Tariffs and timetables on the website: SNCF Train station in Toulouse. Our offices are located opposite the SNCF train station Matabiau. IF YOU COME BY PLANE Toulouse Blagnac Airport. A taxi to the city centre costs around 50. Navettes between the airport and the bus station leave every 20 minutes. Our offices and your first hotel are located just opposite the bus station. IF YOU COME BY CAR Find your route on the website: or

10 WHAT TO BRING Bring one bag or suitcase for a change of clothes during your week. Transported by vehicle, you will find your bag each evening in your B&B or hotel. Clothes 1 sun hat or baseball cap 1 neck scarf 1 woollen/fleece hat or bandana Breathable T-shirts Avoid cotton, which takes a long time to dry; bring short sleeve t-shirts in breathable material I base layer (breathable material) or 1 shirt with long sleeves 1 fleece 1 jacket made of Gore-tex or similar, waterproof and breathable I long and 1 short pair of cycling shorts, preferably padded for more comfort cycling 1 pair of trousers for the evening Under wear Socks. Avoid cotton tennis type socks which are slow to dry 1 swimming costume for the swimming pools Shoes : 1 pair of shoes multi-activity for cycling and walking Pumps or sandals for the evening This list should be adapted according to the season. Equipment 1 pair of sun glasses of excellent quality 1 head torch (optional): our bikes are equipped with lights 1 pocket knife (to be put in the hold luggage on the plane) 1 small waterproof bag for valuables and money Necessary toiletries: preferably biodegradable products 1 quick drying towel Toilet paper Sun cream and protective lip balm Soothing cream If you take your own bike : 1 helmet (not obligatory in France but strongly recommended) 1 pair of cycling gloves (optional but strongly recommended) 1 map carrier (optional)

11 1 water container (1,5 litre minimum) 1 repair kit (spare inner tube, pump, puncture repair kit) 1 bicycle lock paniers water carrier (optional) Personal Pharmacy: Your usual medicines Vitamine C ou multi-vitamins Pain killers : preferably paracetamol Adhesive tape (eg : Elastoplast) 6 cm wide Plasters of different sizes and antiseptic wipes 2 nd skin dressings for blisters (eg : Spenco) Mosquito repellent For all additional information or in case of emergency, please contact A bike specialist who knows the itinerary will be at your disposal.

12 QUALITY BIKES AND EQUIPMENT Arcade hybrid bikes made in France, perfectly adapted to the Canal du Midi A fresh stock of more than 50 bikes of different sizes, 2016 models Ride the latest, up to date bikes! Our bikes are renewed each season and checked after each hire by our specialist mechanics. All your equipment is included : helmet, paniers front and back, lights front and back, lock, repair kit, yellow high visibility jacket. A bike that fits you, we have 6 sizes available Electric bikes (ebikes) available as an optional extra Characteristics - Aluminium frame, 21 speeds, V-brake brakes, Royal saddle, puncture resistant tyres, 28" wheels, mudguards, weight 14 KG. Given the nature of the terrain, trailers for children are not possible on the section between Toulouse and Castelnaudary. Bike Hire is to be paid for at the time of booking. A guarantee (a swipe of your credit card) as well as a proof of identity are also requested. The guarantee is reimbursed upon the safe return of the bikes.

13 We can also propose: (contact us for more information) Tandems Bob Yak bike trailers Childrens trailers Paniers Véloccitane - La Maison Du Vélo 12, Boulevard Bonrepos TOULOUSE sandrine.leberre@maisonduvelotoulouse.com Immatriculation au registre des Opérateurs de Voyages : IM Garantie financière : Groupama Assurance Crédit - 5/7 rue du Centre Noisy le Grand Assurance responsabilité civile professionnelle : MMA 14, bd Marie et Alexandre OYON LE MANS