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Medieval walled city of Carcassonne with stone towers and ramparts on a hilltop, surrounded by green trees and gardens under a blue cloudy sky.

Canal du Midi - Toulouse to Sete

8 Days / 7 Nights
Moderate
Medieval walled city of Carcassonne with stone towers and ramparts on a hilltop, surrounded by green trees and gardens under a blue cloudy sky.

On this journey, you will experience the essence of sunny, warm, and joy-filled southern France – a region full of flavor, history, and charm. The tour begins in the vibrant city of Toulouse, also known as La Ville Rose because of its many beautiful pinkish-red brick buildings. From here, you follow the famous masterpiece of French engineering – the Canal du Midi – all the way to the Mediterranean.

The terrain varies between gentle hills, green vineyards, and shaded paths along the canal, where the plane trees form a green avenue leading you from village to village. Along the way, you’ll encounter a wealth of experiences – from historic towns like Carcassonne, with its magnificent medieval fortress, to the wine regions of Minervois and Corbières, where a glass of chilled rosé is never far away.

The tour ends in Sète, a lively fishing and seaside town on the Mediterranean, often called “Languedoc’s Little Venice” because of its many canals. Here, you can celebrate your arrival with freshly caught seafood, a sunset over the harbor, and perhaps a glass of sparkling local wine.

This is a journey where you’ll truly feel the soul of southern France – from the urban life of Toulouse to the peaceful rhythm along the water, through culture, nature, and culinary delights.

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The Route

Here you can see a map of the route.

Itinerary

See the day-by-day itinerary below.

You arrive in Toulouse, your first stop on the tour. Because of the many red brick buildings, Toulouse is also called “La Ville Rose” – the Pink City. Life here unfolds in the cafés and along the Garonne River by the old harbor, and the locals gather at Place St. George for tapas and good company. There is plenty to see: the pilgrimage basilica St. Sernin, the grand Place du Capitole, and the impressive Musée des Augustins.

Hotel (example): Coming soon

The day begins with the handover of the bicycles. Castelnaudary is the largest harbor on the Canal du Midi – even the biggest wine barges could turn here. The French gladly travel long distances to honor this town, famous as the home of the hearty bean stew Cassoulet.

Hotel (example): Coming soon

Carcassonne is today one of the best-preserved fortress towns in Europe and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1997. The city’s most impressive landmark – and one of the largest fortresses in Europe – is the Cité Médiévale de Carcassonne with its 52 towers. The lively atmosphere of Carcassonne is best experienced in the central part of the city, with its charming streets and the Saint Louis Bastion.

Hotel (example): Coming soon

Olonzac is the winegrowers’ capital of the Minervois region, while Homps was once the main shipping port. Vineyards stretch in every direction, and on the horizon, you can glimpse both Montagne Noire and Corbières. Here, life moves at a gentle pace, and locals have perfected the art of doing nothing by the canal. Overnight stay in Olonzac or Homps.

Hotel (example): Coming soon

The goal of today’s stage is Narbonne. You follow the Canal de la Robine toward the Mediterranean. The city’s medieval gems include the unfinished cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace. A highlight is the market hall Les Halles, voted the most beautiful in France. Overnight stay in Narbonne.

Hotel (example): Coming soon

The route continues via Capestang to Béziers, where you pass the famous canal tunnel. The city was once a wealthy wine metropolis – something the many grand buildings still bear witness to – and it is also the birthplace of Paul Riquet, the creator of the Canal du Midi. Overlooking the city stands the Archbishop’s Palace, and by the canal, you’ll find the impressive Neuf Écluses – the nine locks. Overnight stay in Béziers.

Hotel (example): Coming soon

The farther you cycle, the more you can sense the scent of the sea. The route follows the coastline directly toward Sète – the largest French fishing town on the Mediterranean, often called “Languedoc’s Little Venice” because of its many canals. An evening stroll here pairs perfectly with a delicious meal – the town’s roots are Italian, and you can taste it in the local cuisine. Overnight stay in Sète.

Hotel (example): Coming soon

Breakfast and return journey. From Sète you can easily travel by train to Montpellier, Carcassonne or Touluse on your return journey.

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

The price includes

ACCOMMODATION

  • 7 nights in well-maintained 3-star hotels (French classification) and charming guesthouses Chambres d’hôtes

 

FOOD & DRINK

  • Breakfast every day

 

CYCLING

  • 6 days of cycling (approx. 300 km in total)
  • Standard bike hire (optional - see details below)
  • Detailed descriptions of the carefully selected routes (maps, route notes, information about relevant tourist attractions, and important phone numbers – in English)
  • Access to the route in our GPS app, which also works offline (one access per person)
  • Option to receive GPX files for your own GPS device
  • Insurance for any rented bicycles

TRANSPORT

  • Luggage transport between hotels

 

OTHER

GENERAL

  • Transportation to/from France
  • Handling fee (€25) 
  • Cancellation insurance and travel insurance

 

REQUIRED AND PAID LOCALLY

  • Possible tourist taxes at the hotels

OPTIONAL
The following can be selected in the booking form, when you book the tour.

  • E-bike rental

 

Use the button "Calculate price" on this page to see what the tour will cost with your wanted inclusions.

PARKING
It is possible to park at the first hotel or nearby. Parking cannot be reserved in advance and must be arranged directly with the hotel (expect a cost of approximately €10–20 per day).

Bikes

On this tour you can select between the following bikes.
Dark blue touring bicycle with red Vaude panniers and handlebar bag parked on cobblestones. The bike has multiple gears and is positioned near trees.
Unisex 24-gear bike
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry.

Dark blue touring bicycle with red Vaude panniers and handlebar bag parked on cobblestones. The bike has multiple gears and is positioned near trees.
Unisex 7-gear bike
Hub gears with coaster brake

High-quality unisex touring bike with coaster brake on the rear wheel.

Black touring bicycle with red Vaude panniers parked against a large round hay bale in a green field with trees in the background.
Unisex 30-gear PLUS bike
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

Sportier, lighter and more precise premium rental bike.

Blue electric bicycle with red Vaude panniers on rear rack and red basket on front handlebars, parked on cobblestones with green trees.
Unisex 8-speed E-bike
Hub gears with freewheel

High quality unisex e-bike with comfortable low entry.

Practical information

Here you can get answers to various questions about the trip
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The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.

On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.

 

Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill out any forms. Here’s how:

  1. Click on the "Calculate Price" button (you’ll find it in the "Dates and Prices" section) – this will take you to the first pages of the booking form
  2. Select your preferred date, number of people, room distribution, any extra nights, and any available add-ons you may want
  3. See the price


Get a quote
If you would like a flight included, or changes made to the trip, you can request a customized offer by clicking the "Get Quote" button at the top of the page. Remember to describe in detail what changes you would like.

The booking process
When you book the trip, we will begin booking hotels and arranging all the practical aspects of your tour. This process typically takes 5–8 working days, but in some cases it may take longer for certain bookings. If you arrange your own transportation, we recommend waiting until we have confirmed your booking before making any arrangements.

Dates
If you can select a date in the trip calendar (in the booking form), then this is a possible start date. We regularly update our trips with sold-out dates; these dates will then appear in red/grey and cannot be selected.

On all our cycling holidays it is possible bring your own bike but it also possible to rent a bike for the tour. The bikes you can rent are all perfectly suited for the tour and the local terrain and all bikes are perfectly maintained. If you want to rent a bike on your holiday, then you select this on the booking form.

Equipment included in the bike rental:

  • Saddle bag (water repellent)
  • Handlebar bag (water repellent)
  • Service-set with tools and extra bicycle tube
  • Combination lock

Roadside assistance
All bikes are equipped with puncture resistant tyres which means that it is virtually impossible to puncture. No rule without exceptions, so should you experience a punctured tyre then you can quickly fix it by using the tools in the service-set. If the damage is greater than a simply puncture then you simply call us and we make sure that your bike is fixed or you will be supplied with a new bike as quickly as possible.

Insurance is included
Insurance against theft and damages are included in the bike rental. Should you have any problems of this nature then all you have to do is to let us know and we will supply a new bike as quickly as possible. Naturally, careless or mischievous behavior is exempt from this.  

The flights to/from Toulouse or Marseille are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.

Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.

It works like this:

  1. You book your chosen holiday with us
  2. We confirm your holiday (usually within 2-5 working days)
  3. You arrange your transportation

 

Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.

Accommodation is mainly in well-maintained 3-star hotels (French classification) and charming guesthouses Chambres d’hôtes – very good hotels that are sometimes located slightly outside the towns. All rooms have private bath/toilet or shower/toilet.

In the travel itinerary, you can see examples of the hotels we most frequently use on this trip. If the listed hotels are not available when you book your holiday, we will arrange accommodation of a similar standard.

When cycling along the beautiful Canal du Midi from Toulouse to Sète, you won’t have to worry about going hungry – or about finding a good place to eat along the way. Breakfast is, of course, included at all hotels, so you can start the day with coffee, croissants, and freshly baked bread before setting off on your ride.

For lunch, you’ll find plenty of small cafés, bakeries, and local markets in the charming villages along the route. It’s easy to take a break in the shade of the plane trees and enjoy a baguette jambon-fromage, a fresh salad, or perhaps a glass of local wine – after all, this is southern France!

In the evening, both the small towns and the larger stops such as Carcassonne, Narbonne, and Béziers offer a wide selection of excellent restaurants. Here you can taste your way through the delights of southern French cuisine – from freshly caught seafood and local wines to classics like Cassoulet, which originates from this very region. There’s something for every taste and every budget, and the atmosphere is as relaxed as it is appetizing.

Note: If you are traveling at the beginning or end of the season, some restaurants in the area may be closed. This applies to all tours.

Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.

Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.

Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.

On this tour, you will receive the following documents:

Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.

One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.

Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags, specific local vouchers and if you have rented a bike, they will also be handed out at the first hotel. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.

This tour has difficulty grade 2.

Grade 2
For cyclists who like hilly terrain and a bit longer distances. You cycle on good roads, which usually don’t have much traffic. The distance is between 35 – 60 km or 20 – 38 miles. If you are capable of riding a bike and you have a normal good health, you should not worry about going on these tours.

Read more about our Grading System

Starting in 2025, travelers from visa-exempt countries will need an ESS or ETIAS authorization to enter EU nations. This system enhances border security while simplifying entry procedures. Ensure compliance by applying online before your trip to avoid delays.
You can read more about it here.

After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.

We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.

Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.

Join the special ‘Bering Cycling Holidays’ group on Facebook. Here you'll be notified about new holidays, special offers and much more.

Link to the group

Note: you need to request membership, but everyone is approved.

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