Weekend on the Canal du Midi
A bike ride along the water, from Toulouse to Carcassonne ...
© Avionesenpapel
Duration
3 days and 2 nights
Niveau
Leisure
Departure date
From April 1st to October 31st
Type de séjour
Freedom trip
Trip type
Itinerant crossing
Destination
Les points forts
- Castelnaudary, cassoulet capital!
- The Circulade de Bram, an ancient medieval village
- The medieval city of Carcassonne listed as a UNESCO heritage
- The Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Hilaire
Cycling weekend on the Canal du Midi
We invite you to come and ride for 3 days on the paths of the Canal du Midi. Make the most of the generous gastronomy of the region to round off this sweet moment of life.
Your adventure begins in Toulouse, the warm colors of the facades remind you why it’s nicknamed the Pink City. During a stroll, venture into the alleys of the Occitan capital to discover all its secrets.
Built by Pierre Riquet, with its revolutionary power supply and lock system, the Canal du Midi symbolized the technological advance of Toulouse in the 17th century. Already well known to locals who love cycling, it offers one of the most beautiful greenways in France. Along the water, the ancient plane trees offer you a valuable shade in the heat of the south! They are also home to the old barges and the impressive locks that make up the backdrop to your getaway.
On this flat, very accessible cycle route, you connect beautiful medieval villages. Formerly called Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon, the Occitanie region brings together tradition, heritage, know-how and a mosaic of breathtaking landscapes. For a weekend, let yourself be seduced by an authentic cassoulet from Castelnaudary, accompanied by a regional wine … Then set out to conquer the Medieval City of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its fortified walls still conceal many mysteries.
Itinéraire
Leisure From CASTELNAUDARY to CARCASSONNE 45km 83m 
You leave Castelnaudary and rejoin the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi, the towpath stretching under plane trees and locks as the landscape opens toward the Aude.
As you progress, you reach Bram, a remarkable circular bastide whose roofs and bell tower rise above the fields. The canal then slides between the first Cabardès vineyards, with the foothills of the Montagne Noire as a backdrop. Gradually, the horizon shifts: the Medieval City of Carcassonne, a UNESCO site, emerges above the trees, its towers becoming sharper as you draw closer. The final kilometres run along calm basins and old lock-keepers’ houses before entering Carcassonne, a City of Art and History, dominated by its legendary fortress.
- For a few more km 60km 661m
You reach the open roads of the Lauragais, where the landscape becomes more rolling as you approach Villelongue and its Cistercian abbey, a listed Historic Monument nestled in a shaded valley. The road then climbs toward Montolieu, Village of Books and Arts, perched above the valley of the Dure and its former paper mills. As the hills tighten, Aragon appears on its rocky spur, overlooking the garrigue of the Cabardès. You then descend among the vineyards to reach Pennautier, where the classical château, a Historic Monument, rises between the rows of vines. At the Douce lock you rejoin the Canal du Midi for the final kilometres toward Carcassonne, a City of Art and History, dominated by its medieval citadel listed as a UNESCO site.
CARCASSONNE, LOOP TO THE ABBAYE OF SAINT-HILAIRE 45km 783m
You leave Carcassonne by the small southern roads, letting the silhouette of the Cité fade behind you. You soon reach Cavanac, with its vine-ringed château, then Couffoulens, perched above the Aude. As you continue, the outline of the Pyrenees appears on the horizon, marking the transition into the Limoux region
You continue to Saint-Hilaire, where the Benedictine abbey, a Historic Monument and birthplace of Crémant de Limoux, rests in a fertile valley. Beyond Villefloure, the road climbs to the Col de Castel, a natural viewpoint between the wine-growing hills of Malepère and the first garrigue landscapes of the Corbières. The final descent reveals wide views over the Aude plain before bringing you back to Carcassonne.
- For a few more km 65km 819m
You reach Limoux, a lively town on the Aude, known for its historic carnival and for Blanquette de Limoux, one of the oldest sparkling wines in the world. Its lanes, arcades and shaded squares create a welcoming atmosphere before you climb back toward the countryside. The road then rises toward Saint-Hilaire, where the Benedictine abbey, a Historic Monument, overlooks a fertile valley. The terrain becomes steeper on the way to the Col de Castel, a natural viewpoint between the Malepère hills and the Corbières, before the final descent back to Carcassonne.
Ils ont voyagés avec nous
Informations pratiques
Essential Range
You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.
Starting from 325€/participant in Self Guided option
See detailed prices Accommodation example
Comfort Range
Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 355€/participant in Self Guided option
See detailed prices Accommodation example
Privilege Range
Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.
Quote on request
Contact us
Price includes
- Accommodation: 2 nights in a Double room
- 2 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer
- Phone assistance 24/7
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- Application fee
- Taxes
- The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
- Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
- Cycling practical guide including topo maps, restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
- Day 1 : Welcome by telephone with our team on the day of your arrival.
Price does not include
- Bike rental (see option)
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in "Price includes"
- Drinks, visits & other personal expenses
Homemade and fully tested itineraries
- Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
- Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
- A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.
Close assistance
- One of our guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
- Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
- A Luggage transfer service which respects your hours of rest (we pick them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00)
Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional
- We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)
You can also
- Rent a high end quality bike for real comfort, cycling pleasure and reliability a long trip requires.
- Suscribe to a Cancelation or Multi Risk insurance policy which cover you in case something unexpected comes up.
On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
- One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
- Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
- A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce
We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.
Our rentals include a "breakage and theft guarantee" for peace of mind when travelling. Information and details from your advisor.
Premium Trekking Bike
Supplied equipment per bike
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Electric BikeA high-end electrically assisted bicycle with its BOSCH crank motor :
Supplied equipment per bike
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Children Bike
Supplied equipment per bike
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Child trailer“Perfect for a family trip !”
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Getting here
Departure city : TOULOUSE
Coming by car
- at 6h from PARIS
- at 2h30 from BORDEAUX
- at 5h15 from LYON
Coming by train
- Toulouse train station - 6h from Paris
Coming by plane
- Toulouse airport
Arrival city : CARCASSONNE
Coming by car
- at from PARIS
- at from BORDEAUX
- at from LYON
Coming by train
- Carcassonne train station - 5h30 from Paris
- Toulouse train station - 4h30 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Toulouse airport
*Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.
* Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.
How to get back to the starting point
- By train from Carcassonne to Toulouse in 45 min (hotline)
- Return by car in 1h15 to your starting point
- Private shuttle: see detailed fares or contact us
Recommended equipment
Bike
- Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
- 18 to 30-speed transmission
- 26- to 29-inch wheels
- Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
- Disc brakes recommended
- 2 bottle cages
- Bell
- Front and rear lighting
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
- 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
- Suitable cycling clothing:
- bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
- Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
- Breathable windbreaker
- Thermal or fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags (1 carrier bag supplied with bike rental)
- 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
- 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
- Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
- Padded bib (chamois)
- High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
- Neck warmer and cap
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads
Other
- A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
- Street clothes
- 1 pair of evening shoes
- Fleece jacket for the evening
- Toiletry bag
- Telephone and charger
Terms of payment and cancellation
The full terms and conditions of sale are available here: https://www.abicyclette-voyages.com/conditions-generales-de-vente/
Booking and payment
- Departure more than 30 days before your booking: payment of a deposit of 30%, excluding insurance, at the time of booking. If you have taken out travel insurance, it must be paid in full at the time of booking to guarantee its validity.
- Departure within 30 days of your booking: payment of the total cost of your stay. Or payment of the balance of the holiday if you have already paid a deposit.
Cancellation of the Contract
You may cancel the Contract at any time before the start of the Tour, subject to payment of a cancellation fee. Any total or partial cancellation will incur the following costs per participant:
| Cancellation period | Fees |
| From the date of Booking to 60 days or more before departure or the 1st day of the programme | 5% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 100 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Between 59 and 30 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 10% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 120 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer
|
| Between 29 and 10 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 30% of the total amount of the Tour (including options) a minimum of 150 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
| Entre 9 à 7 jours avant le départ ou le 1er jour du programme | 45% du montant total du Voyage (options incluses) |
| Between 9 and 7 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 75% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| Less than 3 days to the day of departure or the 1st day of the programme | 100% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
| No show on day of departure or 1st day of programme |
Custom made trips
You want a custom made cycling tour, or you’ve spotted one of our trips and would like to adapt it ? Tell us a bit about your project and we’ll help you prepare a trip that suits you best.
Starting from 325€
Book your trip
Easy , 
From TOULOUSE to CASTELNAUDARY 62km 177m
You leave Toulouse, a City of Art and History, following the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi.
The towpath stretches beneath plane trees, punctuated by locks and sunlit lock-keepers’ houses. Gradually, you enter the Lauragais, a land of gentle hills once famed for its pastel blue dye; a few mills and secluded farms still overlook the landscape. Around Montgiscard and Avignonet-Lauragais, the canal grows more winding, lined with meadows, ponds, and multi-chamber locks that reveal the canal’s remarkable engineering. At the Seuil de Naurouze, the watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the feeder channel, circular basin and perfectly aligned pathways create a calm, almost suspended atmosphere. A gentle descent then carries you toward Castelnaudary, capital of cassoulet, where red-tiled roofs rise above the Grand Bassin reflecting the last plane trees.
Orientation by phone with us
On receipt of your travel documents (and bikes if you’ve opted for rental), we take the time to talk to you over the phone to explain all the important points and answer any questions you may have.
The towpath leads you to the Renneville lock before you leave the canal to climb into the Lauragais. You pass Villefranche-de-Lauragais, a former bastide, then Avignonet-Lauragais, where a Gothic tower overlooks the hills. The road rises toward the viewpoint, revealing the wide agricultural landscapes of the Lauragais. Higher up, Montferrand offers a remarkable panorama from its orientation table and the Aéropostale beacon, witness to the pioneering Toulouse–Casablanca air routes. You descend to the Seuil de Naurouze, a key point of the canal: a former rocky island transformed by Riquet into a hydraulic masterpiece, marking the exact line where waters flow either to the Atlantic or the Mediterranean. Its circular basin, feeder channel and symmetrical alleys create a place full of meaning. A gentle slope brings you back to the canal toward Castelnaudary, capital of cassoulet.