THE CANAL DU MIDI BY BIKE FROM TOULOUSE TO THE SEA 6 days / 5 nights, 7 days / 6 nights, 8 days / 7 nights, (possible arrival in Agde, Sète or Montpellier)
THE CANAL DU MIDI BY BIKE FROM TOULOUSE TO THE SEA This cycling holiday along the Canal du Midi offers you an itinerary from Toulouse to Sète, on the shores of the Mediterranean. To start off, we propose a tour of Toulouse (on bike or on foot) before crossing the Lauragais. This magical landscape is full of fortified hamlets, abbeys and attractive villages. 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, before crossing numerous pretty wineproducing villages, between the Minervois and the Corbieres, with plenty of opportunities for wine tasting. Once past Béziers, the sea air will accompany you to the Greek city of Agde, where the Canal du Midi runs into the étang de Thau. If you have the time, we invite you to continue your journey along the seashore to the beautiful cities of Sète and Montpellier HIGHLIGHTS A Toulouse-based company, situated on the banks of the canal du midi and opposite the SNCF train station A selection of B&Bs and charming hotels, very 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
DAY BY DAY Day 1: VISIT TOULOUSE BY BIKE OR OR 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 unavoidable 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. Tour of Toulouse by bike and supplementary nights possible. See our supplementary services Day 2: THE CANAL DU MIDI FROM TOULOUSE TO CASTELNAUDARY B&B / 2* Hôtel From 9A.M., 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 tarred cycling path you arrive at the highly agreeable seuil de Naurouze, watershed between the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Night at Castelnaudary, the largest inland port between Toulouse and the Mediterranean. Dinner of your own choice. Cycling: 60 km Supplementary night possible to allow you to divide the first stage of 60km into 2 stages of 30km See our supplementary services
DAY BY DAY Day 3 : THE CANAL DU MIDI FROM CASTELNAUDARY TO CARCASSONNE B&B/ 2 * hotel 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. Dinner of your own choice, night in Carcassonne. Cycling : 42 km Day 4: THE CANAL DU MIDI FROM CARCASSONNE TO HOMPS B&B/ 2 * hotel You leave Carcassonne by the canal which, from now on, closely follows the course of the River Aude, to enter the region of Minervois. At the heart of these landscapes of vineyards, smelling evocatively of the south, you cross charming hamlets, before arriving at the port of Homps. This small and lively port is the perfect place to taste the good wines of the region at the end of the day. Dinner of your own choice and night in Homps. Cycling : 41 km Day 5: THE CANAL DU MIDI FROM HOMPS TO CAPESTANG Chambres d hôtes / Hôtel ** Downstream from Homps, the rugged terrain surrounding the canal necessitated the construction of impressive feats of engineering. This is why, in just 4 km you encounter no less than 4 bridges and 4 aqueducts, one after the other. Once you arrive in Caspestang, you can discover its château, the 14C collegiate church of St Etienne and its lagoon, from which the village gets its name, «Lou Cap de l estang». Dinner of your own choice and night in Capestang. Cycling : 43 km
DAY BY DAY Day 6: THE CANAL DU MIDI FROM CAPESTANG TO AGDE B&B / 2*Hôtel This last day is infused with sea air. Your arrival at the étang de Thau will not be without emotion! The small lighthouse of la pointe des Onglous appears to be at the end of the earth. From this symbolic place, you can savour your arrival with a panoramic view over the Mont Saint-Clair, l etang de Thau, the oyster beds and the listed port of Marseillan. Return to the centre of Agde, where you drop off your bike with our partner, situated just a few steps away from the SNCF train station. Cycling : 50 km Your holiday ends on your arrival in Agde if you have chosen the 6 day/5 night trip from Toulouse to Agde. A supplementary night is an option. Day 7 : THE CANAL DU MIDI FROM AGDE TO SETE B&B / 2*Hôtel This short stage between Agde and Sete lends itself to dawdling! A beautifully wild stretch between the etang de Thau and the Mediterranean allows you to watch the flamingos. You have numerous spots for swimming. Once you arrive in Sète, you can make the most of the pretty fishing port known as the «Venice of the Languedoc». Cycling: 35 km Your holiday ends upon your arrival in Sète if you have chosen the 7 day/6 night trip, from Toulouse to Sète. A supplementary night in Sète is an option.
DAY BY DAY Day 8: THE CANAL DU RHONE FROM SETE TO MONTPELLIER From Sète, you pedal across the «small» Camargue, following the Rhone-Sète canal. This takes you across an ornithological reserve, not far from Palavas, where with a bit of luck, you can observe flamingos. Do not miss the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral, in Villeneuve-lès- Maguelone. A cycle path leads you into the heart of the beautiful city of Montpellier. Cycling : 45 km Your holiday ends upon arrival in Montpellier if you have chosen the 8 day/7 night trip, from Toulouse to Montpellier. A supplementary night in Montpellier is an option. EXTEND YOUR STAY From Agde, Sète and Montpellier, all of the Mediterranean coast is accessible by train. The Côte d Azur, la Côte Vermeille around Collioure, or the Spanish coast are all only just a few hours away. DEPARTURE DATES Departure on the dates of your choice TO BOOK Contact us by email: contact@veloccitane.fr By telephone: +33 (0)7.68.64.02.02
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. Breakfast is included. Upgrade comfort (+140 per person) You stay in particularly B&Bs with cachet and in 3* hotels. Relaxation assured, with a swimming pool on most nights for a refreshing bathe. Breakfast is included. We have selected for you B&Bs with cachet where you will find a warm welcome and a swimming pool as often as possible. 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. DISCLAIMER 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 accommodation of the same category.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION HOW TO GET HERE In order to limit your CO2 emissions, we encourage you to carpool or use public transport. IF YOU COME BY TRAIN Tariffs and timetables on the website: https://www.oui.sncf/ SNCF Train station Toulouse Matabiau. Our offices are located opposite the train station Matabiau. IF YOU COME BY PLANE Aéroport de Toulouse Blagnac Navettes allow you to go from the airport to the railway station in 30 minutes. MEALS: YOUR STAY 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 60 km per day. Almost entirely flat, bike paths are tarmacked only at the beginning of the itinerary. Possible with sport-loving children of 10 years and older. GUIDING/MONITORING : Self-guided, unaccompanied holiday. Our offices are located just opposite the bus station in Toulouse. IF YOU COME BY CAR Find your route on the website: www.viamichelin.fr or www.mappy.fr
QUALITY BIKES AND EQUIPMENT Arcade hybrid bikes made in France, perfectly adapted to the Canal du Midi A fresh stock of more than 60 bikes of different sizes, 2017 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, panniers 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 (e-bikes) available as an optional extra CHARACTERISTICS Aluminium frame, 21 speeds, V-brake brakes, Royal saddle, puncture resistant tires, 28" wheels, mudguards, weight 14 KG. Given the nature of the terrain, 2 wheel trailers for children are not possible on the section between Toulouse and Castelnaudary. WE CAN ALSO PROPOSE Tandems Bob Yak bike trailers Children s trailers Panniers Security deposit is to be given at the time of taking the rented equipment. 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.
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 and your arrival at the sea 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) 1 water container (1,5 liter minimum) 1 repair kit (spare inner tube, pump, puncture repair kit) 1 bicycle lock panniers water carrier (optional) Personal Pharmacy Your usual medicines Vitamin 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 +33 7 68 64 02 02. A bike specialist who knows the itinerary will be at your disposal.
YOU HAVE A QUESTION? WE HAVE AN ANSWER! Sandrine, your travel agent This cycling and hiking tours-enthusiast will be your privileged interlocutor in order to conceive a tailor-made quotation. Sandrine has a long experience in customer relationship and she likes challenge and new experiences. She s ready to help you! CONTACT US BY TELEPHONE 00 33 (0)5 34 40 64 72 or 00 33 (0)5 61 71 00 55 BY E-MAIL To : contact@veloccitane.fr BY MAIL Véloccitane - Maison du Vélo Toulouse 12 Boulevard Bonrepos, 31000 Toulouse VÉLOCCITANE, THE CYCLING TRAVEL AGENCY Véloccitane is a travel agency dedicated to self-guided biking tours. Our office is ideally located along the Canal du Midi in Toulouse, in front of the train station Matabiau. From there, why not visiting the gorgeous routes of the south-west of France? The Canal du Midi, Canal de Garonne, Canal de la Robine, Rigole de la Plaine are waiting for you! Our website www.veloccitane.fr Our facebook : https://fr-fr.facebook.com/veloccitane/ Registration under the travel agencies register Atout France : IM031160002 Financial guarantee : Groupama Assurance Crédit - 5/7 rue du Centre 93199 Noisy le Grand Professional liability insurance : MMA 14, bd Marie et Alexandre OYON 72000 LE MANS