Canal du Midi

Welcome briefing and distribution of rental bikes (if booked).

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.

Follow the Canal du Midi as far as Bram, then head towards the Pyrenees.  On an old railroad line that has been converted for cyclists, the ascent is moderate and you cycle through railroad tunnels, over viaducts and bridges to Mirepoix, an enchanting bastide from the Middle Ages.

Back through the Ariége countryside, a peaceful and meditative agricultural landscape with rolling hills, to Carcassonne. There, the imposing Cité, the largest fortified city in Europe, awaits you in the heart of the Cathars.

Carcassonne free disposal or a round trip to Montolieu. There are 15 antique stores with over 200.000 books in the worth seeing city of book “Montagnes Noires”. The former royal textile manufacturing was declared to a National Monument in 2004.

Enjoy of the most scenic parts of your journey alongside the Canal de la Robine and the Canal du Midi. 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.

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.

Pines shade your way to the mouth of the Hérault and further alongside the Canal du Midi to Béziers. The town 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?

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 known as the "Little Venice of the Languedoc" due to its many canals. Here, an evening stroll can be perfectly combined with a good meal, as the origins of the town are Italian - as is the cuisine.