Cycling in France - Canals and Castles of the Midi

Arrive in Toulouse, a vibrant and captivating city with a fascinating blend of history, culture, gastronomy and natural beauty.



For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 4pm a short welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Toulouse at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Toulouse Airport (TLS), which is 10 kilometres/6.2 miles and fifteen minutes' drive from Toulouse. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.



Toulouse is, and has been for centuries, a bustling city with connections to the wider world. It has one of the largest medieval city centres in France and you can spend days wandering about the many winding alleyways and discovering new thing at every turn.

Toulouse is working hard on creating cycle-friendly infrastructure, but until it is ready the best way to enjoy this city is on foot. This morning we will enjoy a guided tour with our Tour Leader of this city taking in the highlights of The Capital Square, the Basilica of St Sernin and the banks of the Garonne. There will be also be time to stop for a chocolatine. A chocolatine is a type of pastry that is popular in France, particularly in Toulouse. It is a viennoiserie made with laminated dough, similar to croissants or pain au chocolat. However, unlike pain au chocolat, which is a straight rectangular shape, a chocolatine is typically shaped like a crescent or a rectangle with rounded edges.



This afternoon we will take the train to Carcassonne, a journey of an hour and a half. Once we arrive, we will get acquainted with our bikes so that they are all ready for our first ride tomorrow morning. Of course, there will be time to wander the ramparts of this amazing site at the time when it's at its most charming, the evening.

Today we will get on our bikes for the first time and explore the peaceful surrounding countryside while day-trippers occupy the citadel of Carcassonne. Our route takes us to the beautiful villages of Conques-sur-Robiel, Bouilhonnac, and the tiny village of Les Rustiques, once a Templar commandery. We will then join the Canal du Midi at the village of Trebes to make our way back into Carcassonne and once again enjoy this marvel beautifully lit in the evening, and without the chaos of the daytime crowds.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres/21.7 miles (Total 89 metres/300 feet ascent and 89 meters/300 feet descent )

Today we cycle along the famous Canal du Midi and arrive at our destination le Chateau de Jouarres in Homps, a pleasant resort with a pool, our base for the next two nights.



As the whole of the Canal du Midi is a World Heritage Site, UNESCO is keen to keep the historical aspects of the area in keeping with its origins. Cyclists should be aware that the towpath was originally built for horses to pull cargo barges, hence many sections do not have a modern surface. Ever changing, due to climatic conditions, the sections cycled do include earth and gravel paths with some holes and tree roots and can be narrow and overgrown in places. These towpath sections show the area in the beautiful way it has always been but in places is a bumpy ride!



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 43 kilometres/26.6 miles.

One of the principal reasons to stay in Jouarres is to have the option to visit one of the most enigmatic sites of the Cathar Crusade, the stronghold of Minerve. Today we can choose to cycle to this wonderful town perched on a rocky outcrop between two gorges. Alternatively, you can stay in Jouarres and enjoy optional wine tasting or self-guide on a shorter, and mainly flat cycle ride near the hotel.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 37 kilometres/23 miles (450 meters/1480 feet ascent)

Today we pack our bags again and continue our Canal du Midi adventure. We will reach the junction of the canals, where the Canal du Midi loops north to avoid the hills, and the Canal de la Robine which was later dug to connect the City of Narbonne to the canal network. Narbonne is a hidden gem with many treasures for those who take the time to look for them. Once the second town of the Roman empire (more than a century before Caesar's conquest of Gaul) and flourishing during the early medieval times, before the silting up of the harbour ended its glorious period, but leaving us with a nicely preserved time capsule.

Please bear in mind that today's route has been recently affected by intensive public works to cut down diseased trees, replace them, and improve the quality of the towpath. Therefore, today's route may be affected, in which case we will plan an alternative route.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 45 kilometres/26.6 miles.

Our trip wouldn't be complete without ending up on the shores of the Mediterranean! So, today's ride will follow the Canal de la Robine almost to the shores. The last kilometres we cycle towards Gruissan, once a pirates' nest, now a wonderful coastal town. Make sure to bring your swimwear. Today's ride is 15 kilometre /9.3 miles and you can opt to take the same way back or extend and take in a little bit more of the local scenery. Make sure you are back in town early enough to visit the newly opened Via Narbo museum and enjoy an aperitif in one of the many cafés.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 30 to 45 kilometres/18.6 to 26.6 miles

The trip ends at Toulouse airport at 10am. The earliest your flight can depart is 12pm.