Your Itinerary
Canal du Midi (Toulouse to Sete) Self-Guided Cycling Holiday
Self-Guided | Individual | 10 days / 9 nights | From £1089 per person
Full holiday prices by date are shown on the ‘Book Now’ tab.
Book the Canal du Midi (Toulouse to Sete) cycling holiday here >>
Tour Highlights
• Visit cultural monuments, cathedrals and palaces
• Through the impressive cities of Beziers and Carcassonne
• Explore Toulouse – the aviation hub and University city
• Explore one of the engineering wonders of Europe
Route: Canal du Midi
Moderate heavy. All routes are predominant planar or are located in an area, which is a little bit rippled. You will cycle on partly asphalted or sand- and pebble ways as well as on light traffic branch roads.
The approximate difficulty level for this tour
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Individual arrival to Toulouse
In the evening welcome briefing and distribution of rental bike (if booked) in Toulouse. Because of its buildings with reddish stones the inhabitants call Toulouse „ville rose“ too, the pink town. Take a little walk to see the important sacred buildings of Toulouse. One of it is the basilica St-Sernin de Toulouse, which is one of the most beautiful Romanesque sacred buildings in South France. Toulouse is an attractive mixture of architectural styles with lordly Renaissance houses and former industrial buildings, which were masterful rebuilt into culture temples. One overnight in Toulouse.
Day 2 Toulouse – Castelnaudary
Castelnaudary ist the destination of your tour today. In former times it was the place of a lot of mills. Till today the Moulin de Cagurel from the 17th century on the pestilence hill testifies it. Splendid manors, built in the 17th century too, and beautiful half-timbered houses let this town become an architectural jewel. A popular culinary delicacy in Castelnaudary is the savoury bean stew Cassoulet, which came up during the Hundred Years‘ War. Pork or duck, bacon, garlic sausage and white beans are possible ingredients. . One overnight in Castelnaudary. (approx.. 60 km)
Day 3 Castelnaudary – Carcarsonne
Carcassonne is today one of the best preserved fortress towns in Europe and since 1997 part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The mightiest building of the town and one of the biggest fortresses in Europe is the fortress Cité Médiévale of Carcassonne with its 52 towers. You can experience the lively Carcassonne best in the downtown with its lively streets and the bastion Saint Louis. One overnighti n Carcarsonne. (approx.. 40 km)
Day 4 Roundtrip to Montolieu
Montolieu is a wonderful city at the edge of the Montagnes Noires. There are 15 antique stores with over 200.000 books in this worth seeing city of book. The former royal textile manufacturing was declared to a National Monument in 2004. Further overnight in Carcarsonne. (approx. 40 km)
If you book the 8-day cycle tour the roundtrip Montolieu is not applicable. You cycle on Day 4 from Carcarsonne to Olonzac.
Day 5 Carcarsonne – Olonzac
Villages, wine-growing estates and vineyards are located pictorially around the waterways. You reach Olonzac. You will have the chance to taste some good wines. (about 45 km)
Day 6: Olonzac – Narbonne
Narbonne, which is flanked by vineyards. The former capital of the Romanesque antiquity was the first Roman colony outside of Italy. Sights like the relics of the street “Via Domitia“ or the houses-bridge with Roman origin “Pont des Marchands“ are evidences of this time. But later centuries too have left their marks in the town: for example the archbishop’s palace or the Gothic cathedral. One overnight in Narbonne. (approx.. 45 km)
Day 7 Narbonne – Béziers
Béziers can look back to a 2,700 years old history. And it is the birthplace of that man too, who was the father of the Canal du Midi: Pierre-Paul Riquet. The alley Paul-Riquet in the centre of the town is dedicated to him. Béziers is located scenic in a winegrowing region, where the grapes for an excellent wine grow. Maybe you allow yourself a glass? One overnight in Béziers. (approx.. 45 km)
Day 8 Béziers – Cap d´Agde
Your cycling alongside the Canal du Midi leads you past masterpieces of engineering like the lock of Agde. It is the only round lock of the Canal du Midi and was built with volcanic rock. The basic measurements of the lock are 29.90 metres diameter and 5.20 metres depth. Cap d´Agde at the Mediterranean Sea is your destination today. The biggest European marina is part of the French town Agde and a paradise for water sportsmen like divers, surfers or sailors. But people, who just want to bath and to rest at the beach, get their money‘s worth too. One overnight in Cap d´Agde. (approx.. 40 km)
If you book the 8-day cycle tour you cycle directly to Sète. No overnight in Cap d´Agde.
Day 9 Cap d´Agde – Séte
In Sète flows the Canal du Midi into the Mediterranean Sea. The town is surrounded by water and its surname is “Venice des Languedoc“. The reasons for this surname are beneath the Canal du Midi countless additional waterways, which cross the town. One overnight in Sète. (approx. 35 km)
Day 10 return journey
The tour ends after breakfast. Individual return journey.
Map & Route Information
Route Profile
You cycle on asphalted paths, gravel roads and side roads with less traffic.
Where is the starting point of the holiday?
Route Map
Tour Information
Holiday Information
The Canal du Midi (Toulouse to Sete) You will be accommodated in well-tended 2- or 3-star-hotels (French classification). All rooms are equipped with shower and WC or bath and WC..
Your stay includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and permanent assistance in case of problems.
Included services
- 9 Overnights in hotels as mentioned
– Breakfast buffet or extended breakfast
– Half-board if booked: at least three-course-dinner or buffet (sometimes outside with voucher and not in the hotel)
– Personal welcome tour briefing (German, English)
– Detailed travel documents, route cards, route description, sight-seeing, telephone numbers (German, English, French)
– At best elaborated optimized route
– Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
– GPS-Tracks on request available
– Rental bike insurance
– 7-day-service-hotline
Rental Bike Information
Quality, comfortable and sturdy bikes
We understand that well made bikes are essential for an enjoyable cycling holiday. All bikes are based on technology from leading Austrian bike manufacturer ‘KTM’ and serviced by an expert mechanic.
The bikes use good quality components to give you confidence in the bike on your holiday and comfortable riding on varied cycle paths and roads.
About the bikes
You will be given an easily identifiable, solid and sturdy aluminum trekking bike with V-brakes, solid wheels, almost puncture resistant tyres. Each bike has been built through continuous development and feedback from customers.
Each bike is also fitted with a dynamo lighting system for ease, handlebar bag, pannier, mudguards and comfortable saddle made by Selle Royal.
You can also bring your own saddle and adapter with you (diameter of seat post from 27, 2 to 31, 4 mm). We help you with the fitting of saddles and SPD shoes should you require assistance.
Gear systems
7-gear-bikes are equipped with Shimano NEXUS gear hub. Gears can be changed anytime even whilst stationary.
21-gear-bikes are equipped with Shimano ALIVIO derailleur. The ALIVIO system is robust and easy to use.
Frame sizes
The following frame sizes are available on tours with the bikes shown in the picture:
Unisex frame 21-gears with free wheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm
Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedal brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm
Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with freewheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 “sloping crossbar” cm
(Must be reserved in advance!)
We will request your heights at the time of booking to ensure correct bike sizing.
Accessories
We high-quality accessories for your holiday from well-known manufacturers:
• Waterproof rear pannier
• Waterproof handlebar bag
• Service-Set with tools and extra bicycle tube
• Bike pump
• Combination lock
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Men’s Bike (Colour may vary)
Electric Bike (Colour may vary)
Rental Bike PLUS
For 2020, there is an additional bike rental option available for a supplement. The PLUS hybrid bike now available on most cycling holidays is sportier with higher quality brakes (Magura HS 11) and better specification gears (Shimano Deore XT). The riding position is designed to have a slightly sportier sitting posture and a high quality Suntour suspension fork gives smooth riding on most surfaces. All accessories are compatible with the new PLUS bike rental option.
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men’s bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gears
7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 “sloping” cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)?
Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
Your Prices
Canal du Midi (Sete to Toulouse), 10 days, 9 nights
Prices are per person and include bike hire.
Cycling Holiday Prices:
Prices are based on seasonal date bands
Every Saturday
Season 1: March – April | September – October
Season 2: April -June
Season 3: June- August
Category A: Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1: From £1089 | Book online here >>
Season 2: From £1129 | Book online here >>
Season 3: From £1169 | Book online here >>
Single Room Supplement: From £249
Half Board Upgrade: From £239
Electric Bike Upgrade: From £129
Hotel Category Descriptions
2? or 3?star?hotels (French classification). All rooms are equipped with shower and WC or bath and WC.
Extra Nights (Prices per person per night)
Location | Price (DBL/BB) | Single Supplement (SGL/BB)
Toulouse: From £69 | £35
Sete: From £69 | £35
Calculate the cost of your cycling holiday
Extra nights are available to book on this tour!
Prices are per person per night and based on two sharing. Single supplements apply.
For extra nights, you will stay in the same hotel. Please let us know if you wish to book extra nights at the start or at the end of the tour when completing your ‘Booking Request’.
Any local tourist taxes are not included in the holiday price and are payable at the hotel.
For help and queries regarding this tour…
Contact us | F.A.Qs
Holiday Price: From £1089
Single Supplement: From £249