Canal du Midi: Toulouse to Sète
The Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern France, is not just a marvel of engineering but also a cyclist’s dream. Originally, 60,000 trees were planted along the canal to secure its banks, and many of these trees still stand today, providing shade and a scenic backdrop for cyclists. The canal stretches from the vibrant city of Toulouse down to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, offering a picturesque route for those looking to explore the region on two wheels.
Cycling along the Canal du Midi is a unique way to immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of the area. The towpaths, which are ideal for cycling, wind through a landscape dotted with historic monuments, including grand cathedrals, ancient Roman ruins, and medieval castles. Every turn of the pedal brings you closer to discovery, whether it’s an architectural gem or a quaint village frozen in time.
But the Canal du Midi is not just about history and culture. The region is also renowned for its culinary delights. As you cycle through this beautiful part of France, you’ll find yourself surrounded by vineyards that produce some of the country’s finest wines. The local cuisine is equally impressive, with traditional dishes that reflect the rich agricultural heritage of the area. From hearty cassoulets to delicate pastries, the food here is a celebration of flavours and a testament to the region’s long-standing culinary traditions.
For leisure cyclists, the Canal du Midi offers an idyllic escape, blending physical activity with cultural exploration and gastronomic pleasure. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a casual rider, the Canal du Midi provides an unforgettable experience, where every mile brings new sights, tastes, and memories to cherish.
2027 launch offer: £50 per person off all 2027 departure dates!
Itinerary
On the agenda today is a welcome meeting and the collection of rental bikes. For the rest of the day, exploration is on the menu! Enjoy the red-stone buildings and the Basilica St-Sernin de Toulouse.
It’s time for your first day of cycling, and the destination is Castelaudary! Previously, a place with many mills, today the Moulin de Carel still stands and shows part of this history. To be visited are also amazing manor houses from the 17th century, as well as half-timbered houses on its streets. If you like trying local food, don’t miss the bean stew, Cassoulet, which was invented during the Hundred Years ‘ War. Should you be a meat-eater, it can also be eaten with pork, duck, bacon, or garlic sausage.
Follow the Canal du Midi to Bram, then head towards the Pyrenees. On an old railway line converted for cyclists, the climb is moderate; you roll through railway tunnels, over viaducts and bridges to Mirepoix, an enchanting bastide from the Middle Ages.
Back through the Ariège countryside, a quiet and meditative agricultural landscape with rolling hills, to Carcassonne. There, the imposing Cité, the largest fortified city in Europe, awaits you; you are in the heart of the Cathars.
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 books. The former royal textile manufacturing was declared a National Monument in 2004. Further overnight in Carcassonne.
Olonzac is the centre of the winegrowers in the Minervois, and Homps was the shipping port. Vines everywhere, the Montagne Noire and the Corbière in sight, here you practise doing nothing on the canal. Overnight stay in Olonzac or Homps.
The destination of your journey today is Narbonne, where you will change to the Canal, driving along the Canal de la Robine towards the Mediterranean Sea. The great buildings of the Middle Ages are the unfinished cathedral and the palace of the archbishops. Another highlight is the market hall “Les Halles”, which was awarded as the most beautiful in France. One overnight stay in Narbonne.
You drive via Capestang to Béziers, passing the famous Canal Tunnel. Once a rich wine-growing metropolis, to which many magnificent buildings bear witness, Béziers is also the birthplace of Paul Riquet, the builder of the Canal du Midi. The archbishop’s palace watches over the town, and the attraction on the canal is the Neuf Écluses, the Nine Locks. One night in Béziers.
The further you cycle, the saltier the air becomes. The cycle path leads directly along the sea towards Sète, the largest French fishing town on the Mediterranean, also called “Little Venice of the Languedoc” because of its many canals. Here, an evening stroll can be excellently combined with a good meal; the town’s origins are Italian – and so is its cuisine. One overnight stay in Sète.
Departure from Sète or spending extra nights in the city or the surrounding area.
Arrival: Toulouse
Departure: Sete
Nearest arrival airport(s): Toulouse
Nearest departure airport(s): Beziers or Montpellier
We also recommend travelling by train to all of our cycling holidays’ starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Toulouse by rail.
Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request. Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the cycling holiday.
Route overview
Starting point: Toulouse
End point: Sète
Total cycling distance: approx. 355 km
Difficulty: Leisurely
All routes are predominantly flat. You will cycle on partly asphalted or sand- and pebble ways as well as on light traffic branch roads.
- Towpaths: The towpaths along the Canal du Midi were originally built for horses pulling barges and have since been adapted for recreational use. In many sections, these paths are unpaved and consist of compacted earth or gravel, which can be uneven or slightly rough. While these paths are generally manageable for most cyclists, they might be more comfortable with hybrid or mountain bikes, especially during or after wet weather when the paths can become muddy.
- Paved sections: Some parts of the towpaths have been paved or have smoother surfaces, particularly near towns or areas with higher tourist traffic. These sections are easier to ride on and are suitable for all types of bikes, including road bikes. Paved sections tend to be well-maintained, offering a smoother and faster ride.
- Tree roots and narrow paths: In certain areas, the paths can be narrow, and tree roots may protrude through the surface, creating obstacles that require careful navigation. These sections can be more challenging, but are generally not too difficult for cyclists with some experience.
Bike hire options
This cycling holiday benefits from high-quality bike hire options that have been carefully selected for the tour. Each well-maintained bike has modern V-brakes, aluminium wheels and puncture-proof tyres based around a Velo-de-Ville frame. Dynamo lights, small panniers, repair accessories, a handlebar bag and a comfortable saddle ensure that you have everything you need for an enjoyable cycle tour. Rental bike insurance is included in every booking.
Standard Unisex Bike 21/24-gears
Sizes: S / M / L
Rental Bike PLUS 30-gears
Rental Bike PLUS is designed for a slightly sportier sitting position and finely tuned Shimano Deore XT gears offer excellent riding flexibility. The Velo de Ville aluminium frame has a high-quality Suntour suspension fork, Shimano disc brakes and 28″ puncture-proof tyres.
Sizes: S / M / L
Unisex Electric Bike
The Velo de Ville electric bikes available on this tour assist up to 25 km/h whilst pedalling. The Bosch pedalec motor is in the bottom bracket of the frame and the detachable batteries last for approximately 120 km. Each bike has an illuminated LCD and 8-speed Shimano Nexus internal hub gears. They weigh 23 kg and have a freewheel brake. Only limited numbers are available.
Sizes: S / M / L
What’s included
- Accommodation in 2* and 3* hotels
- Breakfast
- Welcome briefing
- Luggage transfer
- Well-developed route
- Detailed travel documents 1x per room (English)
- App for Navigation and GPS data available
- Service Hotline (Local support number)
Not included
- Travel to/from the start and finish (Flights/Trains)
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets (Please bring your own cycle helmet with you)
- Water bottles
- Travel insurance
- Bike hire (Rental bike insurance included)
- Bike insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
- SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: £379 PER PERSON
- EXTRA NIGHT(S) – Toulouse: £89 PER PERSON PER NIGHT INC. BREAKFAST
- EXTRA NIGHT(S) – Sète: £129 PER PERSON PER NIGHT INC. BREAKFAST
Check Availability
2026/27 Self-Guided cycling holidays
All prices shown are per person, based on sharing a double or twin room, and exclude flights and bike hire.
Special Offer: £50 per person off all 2027 departure dates!
Contact us for more information, a special price, or call 017687 71700. Offer valid on new bookings only.
NEW FOR 2027
To make a booking, simply use the filter to select the day of the week on which the tour operates. You’ll then see all available tour dates and prices. No payment is taken at this stage.
For all bookings, we require a 20% deposit, with the final balance due 56 days before arrival. An invoice and online payment link will be generated once the tour has been confirmed.
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