Canal du Midi, from Carcassonne to Sète

Arrive in Carcassonne - what a great place to start your biking tour! Transfer on your own to the hotel. Settle into your hotel which is located at the foot of the walls of the citadel and explore the fascinating medieval city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO world heritage site.

Leaving Carcassonne, you come to the village of Trebes along the canal as you cycle on a quiet and wide bike path that follows the canal. You can watch the amateur and professional boat operators come along and navigate the locks installed throughout the canal. Continue south of the canal to the charming village of Lagrasse.

Note : Parts of the Canal du Midi are on a dirt path with some technical sections.

Distance : 51 Km (32 mi).

Elevation : 485 m.

The route takes you to the larger town of Narbonne where you can visit the impressive gothic cathedral and old city. The cycling route does veer off the Canal du Midi and takes the Canal de la Robine which goes to Narbonne.

Note : Parts of the Canal du Midi are on a dirt path with some technical sections.

Distances : 64 or 69 Km (39 or 45 mi).

Elevation : 545 or 405 m.

The cycling route goes into the countryside today following small country roads where you arrive at the unique city of Beziers that is famous for the Feria it hosts in August when hundreds of thousands attend events including bull fighting. Beziers is also known for the Saint Nazaire cathedral (13th-15th centuries), and the terrible history of the Cathars who were all murdered in a purge by catholic crusaders in July 1209. Your route brings you through flat to rolling countryside.

Note : Parts of the Canal du Midi are on a dirt path with some technical sections.

Distance : 38 Km (24 mi).

Elevation : 203 m.

Leaving Beziers, you cycle to Cap d'Agde, a lovely station on the Mediterranean sea. You pass first Agde which has a history of trade via the port which was historically very important. It used to be called Good Fortune (from Greek Agathe Tyche) and became an important trade point between Marseille and Spain in the 3rd century.

Note : Parts of the Canal du Midi are on a dirt path with some technical sections.

Distance : 31 Km (20 mi).

Elevation : 65 m.

This is a relatively short ride along the coastal area between the Etang of Thau and the sea. Once in Sete you will find a beautiful city of typical districts that are crossed with canals and where colorful houses overlook the water. Sete is the city of George Brassens, a popular French singer from the 1960s era.

Distance : 27 Km (17 mi).

Elevation : 90m

Caves Richemer - Marseillan

Wine tasting at Cave Richemer. Your stopover between land and sea, discoveries and flavors proposed by Richemer Caves.

You can take your time getting started in the morning to have breakfast and depart at your leisure. (Depart on your own). Trains from Sete to Paris possible.