The Canal du Midi, a remarkable feat of engineering in the 1600s, today provides a picturesque, tranquil, and richly cultural route for cyclists. Our tour takes you from the extraordinary fortified town of Carcassone to the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, passing en route villages that seem stuck in time. As a bonus, you ride in the middle of two great wine regions: the Corbieres to the south, and the Minervois to the north, with plenty of opportunity to taste along the way!

Day 1 : Arrival in Carcassonne
It is hard to believe that Carcassonne is real, when you first approach it from afar. The ancient city, (a settlement here from as far back as 3500 BC), sits majestically high, is ringed completely by its castle-like ramparts. The city and its fortifications was rated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. You'll soak up the view from your hotel, located just outside of the medieval walls.  You will have time to relax and read your package of trip information by the swimming pool, before wandering in to explore the cobblestoned streets.

Day 2 : Carcassonne Loop   40 km
You have the option of a beautiful ride today, to get used to your bikes. You loop southwards from Carcassonne, on tiny roads through the vineyards, passing through small villages. Your goal is the town of St. Hilaire, with its 8th century abbey, founded at the time of Charlemagne! after a visit and some lunch, return to Carcassonne along the Aude River. Of course, you can also simply enjoy the day in Carcassonne! 

Day 3 : Carcassonne to Homps 35 km
You have a relaxing, easy ride today, as it leaves Carcassonne and follows the roads and bike paths along the Canal (flat!). Your route takes you through a mix of villages with odd names, stemming from the regional language, which for centuries was not French, but the local "Occitan": Marseillette, Puichéric (with its 13th century church and annual pig festival!) and La Redorte. You pass a first feat of engineering as well, the canal bridge of Orbiel, taking the canal over the Orbiel River! At the end of the day arrive in Homps, an ancient commercial port, where the regional barrels of wine were loaded into boats for the journey to Bordeaux. The small village today is charming, with little memory of its busy past. Dinner included tonight.

Day 4 : Homps to Cabezac  32 km
Today your route is partially on the canal and partially in the surrounding terrain. Pedaling through the olive groves, vineyards, and flowered fields. Leave the canal at Le Somail, with its pretty bridges, and cycle towards Cabezac, sitting on the Cesse River, with its natural still pools. By the hotel, using the river for power, is an olive mill, where you can stop for a taste of the produce of the "eternal trees". Night in Cabezac itself, with dinner at the hotel's excellent restaurant. Dinner included tonight.

Day 5 : Cabezac to Beziers   44 km
More easygoing cycling along the Canal du Midi to the villages of Colombiers, and Capestang. Be sure to stop and see the  " Tunnel de Malpas" which allowed barges to continue their route passing along its 165 metres of tunneled underground vaulting. No one believed that the canal's engineer, Pierre-Paul Riquet, could  this feat, and in fact the King even ordered that he stop, and deviate the canal's route. He feigned obedience, but completed the tunnel in secrecy, unveiling it only after his project was done. Enjoy two other feats of canal engineering: the Fonserannes locks, and the Orb Aqueduct (in effect a bridge, carrying the waters - and traffic - of the Canal du Midi over the Orb River!). On to Beziers for the night.

Day 6 : Beziers to Sete   50 km
Before leaving Beziers, be sure to visit the old town centre. You can buy fruit, bread, and cheese at the market for your picnic. You will ride right to the end of the Canal de Midi today, saying good-bye to it, as it empties in to the sea at Agde. From there, enjoy the luxury of the beautiful new bike path that follows the sandy beach for kilometres before arriving in the port town of Sete itself. Be sure to pack your bathing suit today as you will want to jump into the waves! Final night and dinner in Sete.

Day 7 : Departure - Bon Voyage!