toulouse velo tour

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Visites guidées de Toulouse à vélo

Profitez de l'expérience de  Toulouse Bike Tour , pionnier des visites de Toulouse à 2 roues, un moyen idéal pour découvrir la ville rose!

Une balade à vélo permet en effet de profiter de la ville tranquillement tout en parcourant peu de distance. Vous pourrez ainsi en 2h30 ou 3h voir les incontournables de Toulouse , mais aussi prendre le temps de parcourir ses jolies rues, de faire des dégustations de produits locaux ou encore de flâner au bord du Canal du Midi. Une belle approche de la douceur de vivre toulousaine en quelques coups de pédales! 

Nous proposons des circuits différents, permettant de découvrir la ville rose sous différentes facettes : ses monuments incontournables, mais aussi sa gastronomie ou encore son côté nature à travers le Canal du Midi . Chaque visite guidée s’effectue sur nos vélos, adaptés et équipés d’une selle confortable !

Toulouse l'incontournable 2h30 -3h00

  34 € / pers (base 2 personnes)

Ô mon Païs Ô Toulouse chantait Claude Nougaro...

A travers ce tour à vélo, plongez vous dans le cœur de la ville rose  à la découverte de Saint Sernin et du Canal du Midi tous deux classés au patrimoine mondial de l'Unesco, en passant par les bords de la Garonne, la place du Capitole  , les fontaines pour une visite de ses monuments et places incontournables. 

Toulouse Gourmand  3h00 - 3h30

  47   € / pers (base 2 personnes)

Tour complet de Toulouse accompagné d' une pause gourmande .

Vous dégusterez des produits du terroir de qualités et rigoureusement sélectionnés.

Une belle découverte vous attend dans un cadre chaleureux et une ambiance conviviale ... Vous vous sentirez comme à la maison! Amis épicuriens ce tour est fait pour vous! 

Riquet et son Canal - 3h00

Enfin, si c’est plutôt une découverte de la nature qui vous tente, nous vous proposons un circuit de 3h le long du Canal du Midi , au départ de Toulouse. Qui sait, cela vous donnera peut-être même envie de louer des vélos pour le parcourir dans son intégralité lors de votre prochain séjour dans la ville rose !

Tours privatisés

  sur devis

Vous avez d’autres idées ou envies ? N’hésitez pas à nous contacter, nous pouvons organiser des tours privés sur mesure pour les particuliers et les groupes, sur des thèmes variés. Citons par exemple une balade ludique spéciale « quiz toulousain », ou encore une autre sur le thème de la violette de Toulouse. 

"LA VILLE ROSE ET SON CANAL VOUS RÉSERVENT BIEN DES SURPRISES..."

Laissez vous embarquer dans une visite guidée de Toulouse en vélo par nos guides professionnels diplômés et nos éducateurs sportifs, pour allier explications et encadrement de qualité. Et bien entendu des vélos tout confort  avec une selle moelleuse qui vous fera descendre du vélo avec regret!

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Everything you need to know about cycling in France your independent guide

Cycling Around Toulouse in the Midi-Pyrénées

Richard peace, author of cycling southern france , takes to the roads around toulouse, albi, castres and the garonne in the midi-pyrénées..

Cycle-friendly Toulouse. Photo: Richard Peace

Despite the fact that one of France’s best-known and loveliest cycle routes – the Canal du Midi – ends in Toulouse, there's much more in the area for cyclists. Toulouse is both beautiful and cycle-friendly (UK cyclists will be amazed at the give and take between pedestrians and cyclists who seem to co-exist harmoniously on quiet backstreets and pavements without any apparent conflict or many rules of the road).

The area to the north-east of Toulouse would make a great touring area if you want to go traffic-free: the Montauban-Albi-Castres loop makes a fine and relatively easy 180-mile tour, around 120 miles of it traffic-free and with the rest on quiet roads.

Alternatively, Albi is a fine city for fixed-base touring, or you could also opt to base yourself in Montauban , Toulouse or Castres.

A moment of reflection in Castres. Photo: Richard Peace

When to cycle in the Midi-Pyrénées

Weather-wise, the area described here is amongst the sunniest in France, though summer can bring scorching temperatures that will be too hot for many to ride in. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for riding (autumn especially, as it tends to be drier than spring) but short, heavy rainbursts can occur throughout the year.

Cycling in Toulouse

Toulouse itself is great for exploring by bike – it's made real strides to make itself cyclist-friendly in recent years, even though it's layout of ancient streets was quite-cycle friendly in the first place. There's now a cycle-hire scheme, VélôToulouse (in French), with a staggering 242 hire stations throughout the city, as well as many one-way streets for motor traffic that are two-way for bikes.

The warren of pedestrianised streets south of the huge and very beautiful Place du Capitole are a busy mixture of pedestrians and cyclists and there are lovely rides alongside the Garonne river, lined with historic buildings and green spaces.

Further afield, you might want to bike and train into the French foothills (take the train up to Montréjeau to explore the area around the spectacularly located cathedral of St Bertrand de Comminges) and use the signed Véloroute de la Garonne to cycle back down to Carbonne, from where you can get a train back to Toulouse. There's also a pleasant ride to the west of the city along a greenway to the forest of Bouconne.

Toulouse's successful public bike hire scheme. Photo: fr.zil

Cycle touring from Toulouse

A canal towpath ( Canal Lateral a la Garonne ) will take you out of Toulouse and north to the gorgeous centre of Montauban, reached up a branch canal from Montech, home of the impressive 'pente d'eau', a kind of moving slice of canal – see for yourself and all will become clear! The centre of Montauban itself is the Place Nationale, surrounded on all sides by magnificent arches and well worth a night's stop.

From Montauban you can follow quiet and easygoing roads up the Tarn valley towards the towering presence of Albi's cathedral (a signed cycle route, the Véloroute de la Vallee du Tarn, heads east up the valley from St. Sulpice, though you can use quiet roads alongside the Tarn to get to St Sulpice itself).

This is the area of Bastides or fortified towns, made of crumbling red brick and with castles, fortifications and churches of a style all their own. Though it's not particularly a tourist area and attractions are low-key, it's great easygoing touring country where you are likely to have the roads to yourself, passing through an area that has very much its own character, coming from a mix of a medieval past (the Albigensian Crusades were fought here in the 13th century) and later small-scale industry. Disarmingly, industrial and religious buildings are often built of the same red brick.

Albi to Castres along the Sentier du Train path. Photo: Richard Peace

The very high quality traffic-free route between Albi and Castres is a breeze, and is complete with benches and water points, highly useful if you are struggling in the heat of the Midi. It emerges near the centre of Castres, which boasts a lovely view down the river Agout and a grand central square, ideal for a refreshing beer. There's plenty of history here too, from the Goya museum to that of Jean Jaurès, a much-revered political orator who was shot on the eve of World War I for his pacifist views.

Another stretch of quiet roads on signed Véloroute takes you to Revel, home to a huge 19th century covered market. From here you can pick up the canal feeder route for the Canal du Midi – this is a well-surfaced traffic-free route up until Lenclas lake, which lies south of St Félix-Lauragais. From here, you will need a mountain bike-style tourer to stay on the traffic-free path (or alternatively minor roads can be used to follow the line of the irrigation channel in any event), all the way to the Canal du Midi.

From here it's an easy ride back up the canal towpath (unsealed but decent quality) all the way into the heart of Toulouse.

The Church of Notre Dame de la Dreche above Albi in the Tarn department of the Midi-Pyrénées. Photo: Richard Peace

A day ride around Albi 

The standout attraction near Albi is the village of Cordes-sur-Ciel on the 40-mile signed route, the Circuit des Crêtes. This follows minor roads through an undulating, wold-like landscape, to reach the hilltop bastide town, a remarkable sight when rising from a sea of early morning mist. Close up it is impressive still, but a bit of a tourist trap in season and at weekends.

The return leg passes through a string of pretty villages and the edge of the mining town of Carmaux to pass the incredible Cap Découverte – a quite surreal sight, a huge mined pit, now home to a family attraction boasting cable water skiing, a 100km/h airborne zip wire, 35km of cycle paths, karting and much, much more. Kids (and adults with the minds of kids) will love it.

Before heading backto Albi, check out the mining museum at Cagnac-les-mines and the church of Notre Dame-de-la-Dreche.

If you want bucolic peace and quiet, head up the Véloroute du de la Vallée de la Tarn to Ambialet from Albi. This is quiet cycling country with beautiful panoramas above the gently winding river, the occasional holiday retreat by the river and a grandstand finish at Ambialet, where the river loops back on itself, the spur of land almost enclosed by the loop housing the tiny but spectacular village.

Riverside Albi. Photo: Richard Peace

Bike hire in and around Toulouse

In addition to VélôToulouse (French only), the public bike hire scheme, La Maison du Vélo comes highly recommended. Other options include Recycles and Cyclable Toulouse . 2 Roues Vertes specialise in electric bikes. Check also the VélôToulouse site for options outside Toulouse and along the Canal du Midi. Our bespoke bike hire service can also help you with bike hire for Toulouse, including one-way with delivery or pickup in Toulouse. 

Where to stay

In Toulouse, the Crowne Plaza is very bike-friendly and has a manager who is keen to welcome more cyclists. Adagio has an apart-hotel with self-catering rooms, while the stylish Hôtel Le Père Léon and Ibis are mid-range 3-star options. The more upmarket Mercure is at the junction of the Midi and Garonne canals and the Novotel (also near the Midi) has an outdoor pool. Meanwhile the  Hotel St Severin , 69 Rue de Bayard, Toulouse has room for a small number of bikes to be locked together in the hallway under the watchful eye of the check-in desk. Camping de Rupé , Pont de Rupé, is about five miles out of the centre on the Garonne canal. It's a large, reasonably well-equipped campsite. See Campings Midi-Pyrénées for other options.

In Albi, the Ibis has secure parking and 24-hour reception.

Check here to search our bike-friendly accommodation listings, or zoom in and lick on the icons on the map below for direct links to hotel, B&Bs and self-catered acommodation with secure bike parking.

More information

See also my Cycling Southern France guidebook, available via Excellent Books . For cyclists wanting to follow the region's most popular greenway, there's Cicerone 's Cycling the Canal du Midi by Declan Lyons and Biking Along the Canal du Midi by Philippe Calas, which is an English translation of his original French guide. There's also the option of combining cycling with a canal boat break .

For maps, try the IGN's Midi-Pyrénées carte; if you prefer, Michelin have an equivalent.

The Midi-Pyrénées tourist website has a dedicated cycling area, which includes the details of various leisure cycling routes (in English). There's also information for mountain bikers and sporting cyclists wanting to clock up the miles. Toulouse's tourist centre is located on Donjon du Capitole, near the Capitole metro station. For more on Albi, see the official tourist site . There's also more general information on the Association Vélo Toulouse website, though useful only if you can read French.

See also Richard's guide to cycling Poitou-Charentes .

Richard Peace is founder of Excellent Books , specialists in cycle publishing. He has made several tours of France (including on electric bikes) and is author of Cycling Southern France , Cycling Northern France , and Electric Bicycles: The Complete Guide . He is a regular contributor to bikeradar.com and A to B magazine .

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c'est quoi vélotour ?

Une balade à vélo insolite, où le seul mot d'ordre est le sourire .

Vous avez déjà roulé dans un musée ? Traversé un hôtel à vélo ? Pédalé dans un stade de foot ? Dans une ambiance conviviale, découvrez une ville autrement en visitant à vélo des monuments historiques, enceintes sportives, bâtiments administratifs, usines, scènes musicales…

Vélotour est accessible à tous, si vous souhaitez vous amuser entre amis, en famille ou avec vos collègues !

Les infos à la une

8 premières dates ont déjà été annoncées pour 2024, à Toulouse, Orléans, Reims, Dijon, Saint-Emilion, Valenciennes, Bordeaux, et Grenoble.

Pour participer au Vélotour, on vient déguisés ! Surprenez-nous ! En super héros ? En animal ? En monstre ? En chevalier ? En princesse ? Toutes les folies sont autorisées…

Parmi les plus célèbres, Roland Garros, le Parc des Princes, la Seine Musicale, l’Orange Vélodrome, la Cité des Sciences, le Stade Océane, le FRAC Centre, le Stade du Hainaut, les imprimeries de la Provence, le Zénith de Dijon, le Palais des Ducs, le Hangar 14, La Philharmonie…

Vélo vintage, tandem, VTT, ville, avec des petites roues, un siège enfant, une remorque…

Vélotour est un événement qui se partage en famille ou entre amis.

Des lieux insolites, inconnus ou incontournables, et habituellement interdits aux vélos !

Votre ville comme vous ne l’avez jamais vue, grâce à votre vélo et à vos cuissots !

VÉLOTOUR EST PRÉSENT DANS 13 VILLES EN FRANCE

A Toulouse, Orléans, Chambéry, Colmar, Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines, Reims, Dijon, Valenciennes, Nantes, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Tours et Saint-Émilion.

Il y a forcément un événement pas (trop) loin de chez vous…

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES - 5 MAI 2024

NANTES MÉTROPOLE - 15 SEPTEMBRE 2024

ORLÉANS MÉTROPOLE - 26 MAI 2024

TOURS (VELOTOUR CENTRE-VAL DE LOIRE) - 6 OCTOBRE 2024

VALENCIENNES MÉTROPOLE - 29 SEPTEMBRE 2024

REIMS - 25 AOUT 2024

DIJON - 15 SEPTEMBRE 2024

AIRE GRENOBLOISE - 29 SEPTEMBRE 2024

TOULOUSE (VELOTOUR OCCITANIE) - 28 AVRIL 2024

BORDEAUX MÉTROPOLE - 22 SEPTEMBRE 2024

SAINT ÉMILION - 7 SEPTEMBRE 2024

COLMAR - 23 JUIN 2024

GRAND CHAMBERY - 16 JUIN 2024

partenaires nationaux

• Carte interactive

Toulouse à vélo Balade sur le Canal du Midi, vers la Piste des Géants

Canal du Midi

Visites : musée G.Labit (à partir de 5€) - Halle de la Machine (à partir de 9€) - Envol des Pionniers (8€). Hors location de vélo et pique-nique.

Caractéristiques

• Une balade à vélo sur le canal du Midi à Toulouse.
• Niveau facile, très peu de dénivelé.
• Visites culturelles et ludiques.

1 heure de vélo, aller-retour

La meilleure période

Printemps, Eté, et Automne

Une balade à vélo sur le canal du Midi, c’est pédaler au frais sous les platanes, sans voiture, sans dénivelé et sans vraiment avoir à s’orienter. Imaginez un peu, roulant sur votre fidèle destrier, cheveux au vent… vous avez fière allure, non ? Suivez notre itinéraire qui vous mène du canal du Midi à la Halle de la Machine et l’Envol des pionniers.

Recommandé par Cathy

Office de Tourisme de Toulouse

Pour vous guider

• Téléchargez l’appli gratuite GéoVélo.
• Dans la barre « On va où ? », inscrivez « Halle de la Machine, Toulouse ».
• Le point de départ : « La Maison du Vélo, boulevard Bonrepos, Toulouse ».
• Choisissez l’itinéraire recommandé ou sécurisé.

Les voies à emprunter permettent de rouler en toute sécurité. On vous recommande de porter un casque. La Maison du vélo propose des locations à la journée (14 €). Pensez aussi à des vêtements confortables, un pique-nique et une gourde d’eau. La Maison du vélo : 12 Boulevard Bonrepos. Tél : 05 34 40 64 72.

Top départ !

À partir du bout des allées jean-jaurès.

Vous pédalez sur le chemin de halage du Canal du Midi. Inscrit au patrimoine mondial par l’Unesco , c’est une voie d’eau qui relie Toulouse à la mer Méditerranée depuis plus de 350 ans. Les eaux vertes et calmes du canal sont aujourd’hui prisées par les amateurs de tourisme fluvial. Au XIXe siècle, le canal latéral à la Garonne a permis de prolonger l’ouvrage jusqu’à l’océan Atlantique. L’ensemble forme le Canal des Deux Mers.

Circuits vélo cyclotourisme en Occitanie, Les Pyrénées @ Maison de Peyragudes

La Maison de la violette est une péniche dédiée à la violette de Toulouse , la fleur emblématique de la Ville rose. On y trouve de nombreux produits et des petites gourmandises que l’on peut déguster dans le salon de thé situé sur le pont supérieur.

Maison de la violette : sur le Canal du Midi face au 3 Boulevard Bonrepos.

Le Port Saint-Sauveur

Qui aurait cru qu’il y avait un port en activité dans le centre-ville toulousain ? En empruntant la piste cyclable qui longe le Canal du Midi depuis le bout des allées Jean-Jaurès, vous arriverez au port Saint-Sauveur qui accueille les plaisanciers. La capitainerie est un ancien hangar de stockage de marchandises qui offre une vue imprenable sur le canal et les bateaux amarrés.

Au-delà du port commencent les alignements des platanes qui ombragent le Canal du Midi. Vous croiserez également plusieurs péniches colorées , amarrées au long des berges entre le port Saint-Sauveur et le Pont des Demoiselles plus loin.

Port Canal de Montauban, Joël Damase / ADT 82

Le musée Georges-Labit

À environ 700 m après le port Saint-Sauveur, passez les grilles qui se dressent boulevard Monplaisir pour découvrir une villa atypique et très colorée installée dans un jardin où poussent toutes sortes de plantes exotiques. La collection du musée a été initiée par Georges Labit , un voyageur passionné de la fin du XIXe siècle. Les œuvres exposées, issues des civilisations orientales, vont vous faire voyager de l'Asie à l'Égypte antique : sculptures divines, bols à thé, estampes et même une momie égyptienne .

Le musée Georges-Labit, Musée George-Labit / Mairie de Toulouse

Le musée Georges-Labit, CRT Occitanie - Patrice Thébault

Du graff sur les murs

Au long du canal du midi.

Après votre visite au musée Georges-Labit, vous poursuivez votre balade vers le sud de Toulouse. En chemin, trois fresques murales sont visibles. Calez votre vélo sur sa béquille au pont des Demoiselles où l’artiste Aryz a peint deux femmes mélancoliques et un petit groupe d’hommes voyageurs. Un peu plus loin, au bord du canal, le Toulousain Reso , amateur de wild style, a imbriqué toutes les lettres de son nom. Faites le tour de ce même bâtiment pour découvrir un poumon réalisé par les Allemands SatOne et Wow .

graff de Reso, Marine Esch - Agence d'Attractivité de Toulouse Métropole

Le Tarn et le Pont-Canal, D.Viet / CRT Occitanie

Le Canal du Midi

Un ouvrage de génie.

Vous roulez maintenant à bonne allure et entamez la deuxième moitié du périple. Revenons au Canal du Midi : Pierre Paul Riquet en est le concepteur . Au XVIIe siècle , Louis XIV l’autorise à faire creuser un canal qui permettrait de relier la Méditerranée à l’Atlantique sans passer par le détroit de Gibraltar, Pierre-Paul Riquet ayant trouvé un système ingénieux pour l’alimenter. L’eau est captée des ruisseaux de la montagne Noire et stockée dans le lac de Saint-Ferréol à 60 km au sud-est de Toulouse, spécialement créé à cet effet. Au seuil de Naurouze , point culminant du trajet du canal, l’eau se partage en deux et se dirige, d’un côté vers Toulouse et l’océan Atlantique, de l'autre vers la mer Méditerranée.

On y est presque !

Vous apercevez à droite du canal un bâtiment en forme de boule ? C’est le CEMES, un laboratoire du CNRS, mais aussi un repère : vous allez bientôt quitter le chemin de halage. Prenez le prochain pont qui dessert le chemin des Herbettes , en direction de l’avenue de Lespinet. Votre destination est à un kilomètre, c’est le moment de pédaler plus fort que jamais (gardez-en un peu sous la pédale… pour le retour !).

La Halle de la Machine

Ligne d'arrivée .

Vous êtes maintenant dans le quartier de Montaudran , berceau de l’industrie aéronautique qui fait aujourd’hui la notoriété de Toulouse.

Bienvenue sur la Piste des géants et ses deux nouveaux sites culturels . Vous souvenez-vous ? En novembre 2018, Astérion le Minotaure a déambulé en compagnie d’une araignée géante dans les rues de Toulouse. Après 4 jours de spectacle, les deux créatures de la compagnie La Machine ont rejoint la Halle de la Machine . C’est désormais leur lieu de résidence permanent. Ici, vous avez tout le loisir de découvrir comment elles ont été conçues et de voir les véritables machinistes les manipuler. Le Minotaure vous porte même sur son dos !

la Halle de la Machine, Monica Billault - Agence d'attractivité Toulouse

Incontournable

Embarquez sur le dos du Minotaure, le Gardien du temple, pour un voyage exceptionnel ! Durée : 45 minutes. Tarif adulte : 9 € Tarif étudiant : 6,50 € Tarif de 6 à 12 ans : 4,50 €.

Réservez en ligne

Pique-nique aux quatre coins du monde

Dans les jardins de la ligne.

Il est temps de déjeuner , sur un des bancs des jardins de la Ligne. Cet espace végétal a été créé le long de la piste historique de l'aérodrome de Montaudran en hommage aux pilotes de l’Aéropostale. Plantes, couleurs et topographie rappellent les déserts, océans et montagnes traversés par ces pionniers. Si vous faites une longue pause, les enfants , eux, n’ont guère le temps et on les comprend : dans l’espace de jeux , ils peuvent crapahuter sur tous les revêtements vallonnés, glisser sur les toboggans et tester la tyrolienne !

L’Envol des pionniers

Pour conclure en beauté.

Restez sur le site de la Piste des Géants . Légèrement en arrière-plan de la Halle de la Machine, les ateliers qui abritaient les premiers avions du XXème siècle, ont été réhabilités : bienvenue à L'Envol des Pionniers , espace muséographique évoquant la fabuleuse épopée de l’Aéropostale. Les avions de la compagnie ont marqué les premières décennies de l’histoire de l’aéronautique. Des hommes ont relevé le défi de voyager, toujours plus loin, pour livrer du courrier jusqu’en Amérique du Sud. Des témoignages inédits, des objets personnels et un simulateur de vol de Breguet XIV permettent de s’immerger non sans émotions dans cette aventure humaine et industrielle.

l'Envol des Pionniers, Astrid Davantes - Agence d'attractivité Toulouse

Nos suggestions Voici les bonnes adresses de Catherine (Tourisme Toulouse) pour vous permettre de profiter pleinement de votre expérience à Toulouse.

Patrimoine culturel MUSEE GEORGES-LABIT TOULOUSE Haute-Garonne

Patrimoine culturel LA HALLE DE LA MACHINE TOULOUSE Haute-Garonne

Patrimoine culturel L'ENVOL DES PIONNIERS TOULOUSE Haute-Garonne

Hôtellerie IBIS STYLES TOULOUSE CANAL DU MIDI TOULOUSE Haute-Garonne

Comment venir ?

• L'aéroport international de Toulouse-Blagnac bénéficie d'une situation exceptionnelle à seulement 8 km à l'ouest de Toulouse. Il est très facile de rejoindre le centre grâce aux transports en commun et aux taxis.
• La gare SNCF de Toulouse-Matabiau est en plein centre-ville, à 15 minutes à pied de la place de la Daurade.

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Guestbook entries:

“Solid and well equipped bikes.”

Norway. (p. 2)

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"750 Km - what a great experience - on a Relax Rentals bike. Bordeaux to Agde, no trouble with bikes, very reliable - Merci"

Roz & Dave, Sue & Paul

Australia (p. 63)

"We would have loved to stay on the bikes for another week or two. We recommend Relax Bike Tours."

Norway (p. 65)

"Our third bike tour in Europe and by far the best equipped, best organized, and friendliest hosts."

Robert & Barbara

Australia (p. 67)

“What a find, great bikes and great staff!”

San Francisco (p. 44)

“Excellent bikes – Rolls Royce! And brilliant friendly service.”

Vanessa and Mike

UK. (p. 51)

Relax Bike Tours - The Canal Du Midi bike tour experts!

Canal du midi cycling holidays - canal du midi bike tours.

Come cycle the Canal Du Midi with Relax Bike!  Our headquarters are located in Béziers, the birth place of Pierre Paul Riquet who founded the Canal Du Midi.  Cycling along the Canal Du Midi on our highest quality bikes is a pleasure for young and old alike.  We are your Canal Du Midi bike tour experts!

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• Luggage transfered from hotel to hotel daily
• Downhill and with the wind

Bike along the UNESCO world heritage site - The Canal du Midi!  Complete packages available from 4 to 10 days.  Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel or luggage storage are available as well.  Canal Du Midi bike tours are rated "easy" as they do not involve any climbing, so it can be enjoyed by everyone. We have specified easy to intermediate because the canal towpath is not asphalt.  Our Canal Du Midi bike tours go downhill and with the wind.

​ CANAL DU MIDI BIKE TOURS

Highest quality products

We only use the highest quality products for our Canal Du Midi bike tours.  All our bikes are made by Giant.  All bikes have the highest quality puncture resistant tires.  Our panniers are waterproof and click on and off the bikes with ease.

Relax Bike Tours: the best choice for your upcoming Canal Du Midi Bike Tour adventure

All we do is Canal Du Midi bike tours, that is our specialty.  We have been doing these Canal Du Midi bike tours since 2012.

1. Our Bikes

We are the only company to own and operate our own dedicated fleet of bicycles.

2. Local Company

Relax Bike Tours is the only bike tour company actually located on the Canal du Midi. Centrally based in Béziers, a city on the Canal Du Midi.  We personally move your luggage from hotel to hotel each day. We are always nearby in you need us.

3. Private Bike Tours Only - With personal service

Each bike tour can be customized to your specific needs and requirements.  You will be cycling only with the people in your group. We personally meet you at the start and end of each bike tour.

4. Official Tour Operator

We are an official tour operator registered with ATOUT France, meeting the requirements to offer you bike tours legally.  For your peace of mind, our ATOUT France number is always listed on the website and any documents we provide (as required by law).

Free GPS Application and Detailed Roadbooks

• GPS with off-line maps
• Custom spiral-bound roadbooks
• Points of interest (POI)

All our bike tours include a free mobile phone application with GPS tracks.  Our free phone application works for both IOS and Android phones.  It has the ability to work off-line, which is important if you want to save your data minutes and if you are venturing into areas with poor cell coverage, such as the Canal Du Midi.  Our GPS tracks come with points of interest (POI) that show the locks of the Canal Du Midi, drinking fountains, restaurants, and more.

Our paper map for the Canal Du Midi bike tours is a 56 pages spiral bound A4 sized booklet, full color using IGN topographical maps custom made by ourselves.  It includes historical information and lots of pictures.  The maps also offer alternate route options using small paved roads close to the Canal Du Midi, a feature only available with Relax Bike Tours.  Other companies will only send a PDF to print out yourself.

WHY TRAVEL WITH US?

Relax Bike Tours & Rentals

Allées Paul Riquet

34500 Béziers

Phone: Due to too many people calling for 1 day rentals we no longer list our phone number here.  We do not rent bikes for 1 day anymore.

[email protected]

http://www.relaxbiketours.com

Atout France n° IM034170006

Relax Bike Tours is a registered Travel Agency in France.

8 days, Complete

4 days, Circle

Canal Du Midi Bike Rentals

Store Hours

Store Location

Beziers Apartment for rent

Le Canal Du Midi A Velo

Canal Du Midi Bike Information

For more videos check out our youtube channel

Canal du Midi Bike Tours: Toulouse - Castelnaudary - Carcassonne - Narbonne - Béziers - Agde - Sète

Mentions obligatoires prévues à l’art. L. 121-18 du code de la consommation et loi du 21/06/2004 sur la confiance dans l’économie numérique (LCEN):  © Relax Rentals, Allées Paul Riquet, 34500 Béziers, France.  RCS Béziers 539 587 139, Entreprise Individual Code Naf 7721Z. Prix en TTC. Hébergeur du site: Host Papa, 68 King William Street, London, UK EC4N 7DZ

• We own and operate our own fleet of bikes
• We are an registered travel agency
• Located 400 meters from the Canal Du Midi
• All tours are private and can be customized

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Home > Destinations > France > Bordeaux > The Garonne canal, from Bordeaux to Toulouse

The Garonne canal, from Bordeaux to Toulouse

From bordeaux to toulouse, crossing the southwest by bike.

©Alban Gilbert - CRTNA

© Vincent Bengold

© François Poincet

© Alban Gilbert - CRTNA

• Accommodation
• Our services
• Plan your trip

The Canal des 2 Mers by Bike, a marked and secure route The Sauve-Majeure Abbey The magnificent bastides of Aquitaine Moissac and its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage Toulouse, the "Pink City"

The story behind the trip

It is with the construction of the Canal du Midi inaugurated in 1682, which links Béziers to Toulouse, that the story begins. The Canal de Garonne , connecting Bordeaux to Toulouse , was opened two centuries later, in 1856. It is the conjunction of these two waterways which today form the Canal des 2 Mers !

Since June 2015, the Canal des 2 Mers by Bike crosses the Gironde along  200 km from Blaye to La Réole, via Bordeaux, through vineyards and a Tuscan-style countryside. On the towpath, a bit faster than a barge, you follow a bucolic route. Cyclists, lock keepers, fishermen, boaters, walkers, you meet many lovers of this elongated space who are always happy to tell you the stories of their channel.

From Bordeaux, crossing the Southwest to Toulouse on the Garonne Canal

This bike trip takes you to explore the southwest on one of the most emblematic cycle paths: the canal des 2 mers, a cycle route that links the mediterranean to the atlantic over nearly 800 km..

It all starts in Bordeaux , formerly known as “the sleeping beauty”, the city is now one of the most dynamic in France. Let yourself be charmed by the good life of the “Petit Paris” and get ready for a cycling adventure on the Canal de Garonne , the westernmost part of the Canal des 2 Mers by Bike .

The Canal de Garonne offers you one of the most beautiful cycle paths in France. Over 190 km, you travel to the rhythm of the water through bastides, locks and vineyards. What are you waiting for to cross the emblematic Canal Bridges of Agen and Moissac and you have to opportunity to visit the remarkable abbeys of Sauve Majeure in Créon and St-Pierre in Moissac, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

From the Gironde to the Lot, passing through the Tarn and the Haut-de-Garonne; the sweet life, conviviality and the charm of the landscape permeate you. Let yourself be lulled by the Southwestern accent in the flow of your visits and encounters.

The smell of regional cuisine awakens your appetite. Stop on a terrace at the foot of the Bastide de Damazan for lunch. It is a pleasant spot to enjoy a glass of local wine accompanying one of the many delicious and generous local recipes. O n the markets, the specialties of New Aquitaine and Occitania are laid out for the pleasure of the eyes and later the taste buds, they awaken the senses.

The green tones of the sweet landscape give way to the warm colors of the Pink City . During a stroll, venture into the narrow streets of Toulouse to discover all its secrets.

Leasure: You occasionally or regularly ride your bike and have experience in cycling for a whole day. You enjoy discovering new territories in a leisurely way. You can ride up to 35 to 55 km a day on relatively flat routes.

Fit: You regularly ride and/or practice a sport. You are accustomed to traveling by bike or wish to try it out. Your physical condition allows you to cover a minimum of 45 to 70 km per day with a little bit of steep routes.

Arrive to Bordeaux on your own.

Meeting with our local guide

Before your first ride, we invite you to meet one of our guides , at your place of departure. A time of exchange, a privileged moment to give you our last practical tips, must-see places and experiences, to answer all your questions, take care of your bike fitting to begin your trip.

From BORDEAUX to SAUVETERRE-DE-GUYENNE 63km 285m Leasure: You occasionally or regularly ride your bike and have experience in cycling for a whole day. You enjoy discovering new territories in a leisurely way. You can ride up to 35 to 55 km a day on relatively flat routes. ">

Leaving from Bordeaux, you peacefully follow the banks of the Garonne. The Roger Lapébie cycle path, whose name pays homage to the famous Tour de France 1937 champion, takes you to Créon and its old station which serves as a reminder that trains preceded bikes. You continue your journey surrounded by a landscape that combines forest and vineyards to stop at the Sauve-Majeure Abbey, a true masterpiece of Romanesque art, it offers exceptional sculptures and remains. Once through the doors of Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, let yourself be amazed by the arches and the remains of the medieval fortifications of this old bastide.

FROM SAUVETERRE DE GUYENNE TO MAS D'AGENAIS 53km 234m Leasure: You occasionally or regularly ride your bike and have experience in cycling for a whole day. You enjoy discovering new territories in a leisurely way. You can ride up to 35 to 55 km a day on relatively flat routes. ">

You leave Sauveterre de Guyenne to reach the south and the Garonne Canal. The road becomes more hilly in this region of Entre-deux-Mers. Your effort is however quickly rewarded by the beauty of the hills and the multitude of vines that surround you. You then reach the medieval village of La Réole, do not miss exploring its small narrow streets and contemplate the view of the Garonne valley from the top of the old Benedictine abbey.Through dikes and locks, you then ride along the Garonne Canal on its cycle path to conclude your day in the charming village of Mas d´Agenais and its must-see collegiate church.

FROM LE MAS D'AGENAIS TO AGEN 53km 64m Leasure: You occasionally or regularly ride your bike and have experience in cycling for a whole day. You enjoy discovering new territories in a leisurely way. You can ride up to 35 to 55 km a day on relatively flat routes. ">

You continue to pedal on the Canal des 2 Mers by Bike. The first highlight of your day awaits you in Damazan where the colorful facades and the central square, a characteristic element of the 13th century Bastides, will not leave you indifferent. Quickly, in a green and natural atmosphere, you will see the charming port of Buzet-sur-Baïse, ideal for a break. You continue your journey on the cycle path. At the entrance of Agen, you cross the picturesque Pont-canal de la Garonne, one of the largest in France with its length of 600m, by bike. The capital of prunes contains many surprises and offers a remarkable concentration of the rich heritage and spirit of the Southwest.

From AGEN to MOISSAC 46km 82m Leasure: You occasionally or regularly ride your bike and have experience in cycling for a whole day. You enjoy discovering new territories in a leisurely way. You can ride up to 35 to 55 km a day on relatively flat routes. ">

You leave Agen heading south on the greenway that runs along the Garonne Canal. Valence d’Agen is your first stop, the 13th century bastide offers a warm and authentic atmosphere around its preserved monuments (covered markets, washhouses, dovecotes) and its port. You continue on the canal, the landscape goes by to the rhythm of the lock keepers to reach Moissac. A veritable epicurean stage on the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle path, you can discover exceptional monuments listed as World Heritage by Unesco. A must!

For this variant, you move away from the Canal des 2 Mers. Further up, high up, the most beautiful village in France awaits you: the fortified village of Auvillar. You will then find the canal to continue your road towards Moissac.

From MOISSAC to TOULOUSE 69km 93m Fit: You regularly ride and/or practice a sport. You are accustomed to traveling by bike or wish to try it out. Your physical condition allows you to cover a minimum of 45 to 70 km per day with a little bit of steep routes. ">

Once the Cacor canal bridge over the Tarn crossed, you will enjoy the tranquility of the Canal des 2 Mers towards the “Pink City”. A first stage in Castelsarrasin invites you to discover its marina and its multiple heritage riches. You continue your path towards the vineyards of Frontonnais. Do not hesitate to taste (in moderation of course) the unique variety from the southwest: the Négrette! Further away, the green of the countryside gives way to the emblematic pink of the city of Toulouse. You access the cycle paths of the Canal du Midi to reach the heart of the city and its emblematic Place du Capitole. Let yourself be charmed by the singing accent of its inhabitants and the captivating and unique colors of Toulouse …

Day on your own in Toulouse.

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.

Hôtel des Voyageurs  BORDEAUX

Chambre d’Hôtes Les Séquoias   SAUVETERRE-DE-GUYENNE

Chambre d’hôtes le Domaine de Meroc  LE MAS D’AGENAIS

Reception from 4:00 pm If arrival earlier, call at 05 53 84 06 02 / 06 30 18 16 23

Chambre d’Hôtes Quand la ville dort  AGEN

La Maison Lydia  MOISSAC

Hôtel Royal Wilson   TOULOUSE

Starting from 865€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

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.

Chambre d’hôtes B&B Cosy   BORDEAUX

Hôtel & Spa Le Moulin De Moissac  MOISSAC

Hôtel de Brienne  TOULOUSE

Starting from 950€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices

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: 6 nights in a Double room
• 6 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
• 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 : A personalized greeting with our team at the beginning of the trip to receive your travel documents

Price does not include

• bike rental (see option)
• Breakfast on day 1
• 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)
• 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.

Getting here

Departure city : bordeaux.

Coming by car

• at 5h45 from PARIS
• at 3h30 from NANTES
• at 5h30 from LYON
• Parking Paludate – BORDEAUX
• Parking Gare Saint Jean – BORDEAUX
• Parking Grands Hommes – BORDEAUX
• Parking Gambetta – BORDEAUX
• Q-Park Clémenceau Auditorium – BORDEAUX

Coming by train

• Bordeaux train station - 2h15 from Paris

Coming by plane

• Bordeaux airport

Arrival city : TOULOUSE

• at 6h from PARIS
• at 2h30 from BORDEAUX
• at 5h15 from LYON
• Toulouse train station - 6h from Paris
• 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 Toulouse to Bordeaux in 2H (hotline)
• Return by car in 2h30 to your starting point
• Private shuttle: see detailed fares or contact us

Recommended equipment

• 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
• 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
• 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 or 2 water bottles ( supplied with bike rental in France )
• 1 lock ( supplied with bike rental )
• 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
• 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

Duration 7 days and 6 nights

Departure date From April 1st to October 31st

Destination Bordeaux The Canal du Midi Occitanie - Pyrenees

Themes Greenways & Canals Electric bike trips Fine wine & Dining

We are at your disposal

Monday to Friday

Our team turn your dreams into adventures!

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.

Why travel with Abicyclette Voyages

• 7/7 Assistance
• GPS guided itinerary
• Bike rental

Choose your starting date

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• Follow us :
• FR: Call us : +33 (0)1 80 91 98 18
• BE: +32 (0) 2 588 76 91

Cycling the Canal de Garonne from Bordeaux to Toulouse

This self guided bike tour along the Canal de Garonne takes you from Bordeaux to Toulouse. Bike through the authentic countryside of southwest France.

© Le Vélo Voyageur

• Type of stay --> Itinerant trip
• Destination France
• Location Canal de Garonne
• Duration --> 8 days
• Difficulty Level --> Moderate
• Validity --> From Mar 27 to Oct 31
• Minimum age From 14 years old

• Accommodation

• Bikes, luggage and documents
• a touring bike adjusted to your size or a tandem
• equipped : front rack pack with an integrated file compartment, saddlebag, helmet (on demand), reflective vest, repairing toolkit with patches etc.
• We transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next using a private vehicle.
• Your luggage is directly delivered in your accommodation before you arrive.
• We provide a saddlebag for the things you shall need during the day.
• a roadbook with maps that we drew at the easiest scale to follow on a bike
• a roadbook with step-by-step description giving the direction to follow at each intersection and highlighting the points of interest

Example of a map and of a step-by-step description

Our GPS App

• Practical information
• By plane: fly to Bordeaux Mérignac. A bus shuttle takes you to the city center in about 30mn depending on traffic.
• By train: go to Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station. To plan your trip www.trainline.eu

If you drive to Bordeaux, you can park your car in a secured car park located next to Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station. On an indicative basis, the week rate (7 days) is € 50 subject to availability.

All details will be given in your travel documents.

To get back to starting point: You take the train back to your departure point. You can take a direct speed train (TGV) or regional trains with a connection in Agen. Regional trains are without reservation and take bikes without extra charge. TGV train take bikes on reservation only with an extra charge of € 10/bike. You buy your ticket yourself. You will find the timetable of the day in your travel documents.

Meeting time: The first day is an arrival day without cycling. You arrive whenever you want depending on from where you come. Please note that rooms are usually available in the middle of the afternoon depending on your accommodation. We thank you to advise us if you plan to arrive late.

“ A la recherche de la vraie France ”

“ canal garone ”, “ une expérience merveilleuse ”, “ superbe découverte au bord de la garonne ”, “ une semaine de vélo au fil de l'eau ”.

“ SUPERBE SEMAINEDE RANDONNEE ”

“ rien de tel, rien de mieux ”, “ un parcours bien ordonné ”, “ wonderful ”, “ canal de garonne à vélo ”, “ un beau voyage ”.

• Download the trip description

You will also like:

Toulouse E Bike Tour

• Electric bike
• Use of helmet
• Poncho (if needed)
• Transport to/from attractions
• Bottled water
• 15 All. Forain-François Verdier, 31000 Toulouse, France In front of the bicycle shop of our partner "cité2roues" - Directions: Close to metro "François Verdier"
• Infant seats available
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
• All riders heights MUST be advised at time of booking
• May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Most travelers can participate
• The rendez-vous with your guide is 15min before the tour start
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Basilique Saint-Sernin
• Cathédrale St-Étienne
• Canal de Brienne (Le)
• Canal du Midi
• Hotel d'Assezat

Similar experiences

• You'll start at 15 All. Forain-François Verdier 15 All. Forain-François Verdier, 31000 Toulouse, France In front of the bicycle shop of our partner "cité2roues" - Directions: Close to metro "François Verdier" See address & details
• 1 Canal du Midi Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 2 Palais de Justice Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 3 Cathedrale St-Etienne Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 4 Square Charles De Gaulle Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 5 Le Capitole Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 6 Basilique Saint-Sernin Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 7 Canal de Brienne (Le) Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 8 Les Ponts-Jumeaux Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 9 Garonne Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 10 Port de la Daurade Stop: 5 minutes See details

• dipl0ck 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Toulouse nature bike tour A fantastic e-bike tour out of Toulouse along Canal du Midi and into the countryside with views of the Pyrenees. Highly recommend, Yannick was helpful and informative, the bikes were great and the scenery beautiful. Merci beaucoup! Read more Written September 14, 2023
• finetimez 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles "Toulouse along the Water" mother / daughter tour Our e-bike tour of the Canal du Midi and the Canal de Brienne, was lots of fun with our guide Yannick. He taught us alot about Toulouse and the canals, and the e-bikes were a joy to ride, along the beautiful waterways. Yannick was also very helpful with tips about upcoming inclines, curves, etc., which this senior (and first time e-bike rider) appreciated. I highly recommend this company for any biking pursuits. :) Read more Written May 18, 2023
• franckie8 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Brillant Yannick, our guide was really good full of information and very helpful. This is the best was to discover the city of Toulouse. I would recommend then with no hesitation. If we stayed longer maybe would have done other ride they are proposing . Read more Written July 2, 2019

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Cycle trip from Toulouse to Carcassonne along the Canal du Midi

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  Tour Operator   Le Vélo Voyageur

  4   days   (Bike: 4 days)

  141   km   (~ 35 km  per day)

Self-Guided

Semi-Supported

Self-guided cycle tour along Canal du Midi: from Toulouse to Carcassonne in 4 days

This 4-day cycle tour along the Canal du Midi rallies two major milestones of the canal : Toulouse, the Ville Rose and Carcassonne, the medieval fortress. You ride quietly sometimes on cycle paths or the hauling path along the canal, sometimes on low-traffic country roads. You will cross the Lauragais, a large fertile plain surronded by hills that flourished on the 15th and 16th centuries thanks to pastel trade, which also brought prosperity to Toulouse. The village churches with their characteristic fortified bell towers are a heritage of this rich past. You ride through Castelnaudary, the proud capital of cassoulet, and the charming abbey of Saint-Papoul before arriving in Carcassonne at the foot of the impressing medieval fortress.

Tour Information

Self-Guided     €   379

Accommodation & breakfast a touring bike adjusted to your size or a tandem equipped : front rack pack with an integrated file compartment, saddlebag, helmet (on demand), reflective vest, repairing toolkit with patches etc. 2 waterproof saddle bags with a capacity of 10 to 20L each to transport your luggage

baby seat, bike trailer or trailer bike Luggage transfer

Minimum age 9 years old

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While great care has been taken to show full and correct tour details, unfortunately transcription errors do occur and, although we continually seek to eliminate these, we apologise for any mistakes. Plans or bookings should not be made exclusively based on information shown on this website but must be confirmed with the tour operator.

• Customized biking tour

Canal de Garonne by bike from Bordeaux to Toulouse

• The quietness of the Canal de Garonne and its lock houses
• The atmosphere of the charming fortified villages
• Moissac, unmissable stop of the way of Compostella

• Accommodation
• Customer reviews

Your cycling tour on the Canal de Garonne

The Canal des 2 mers has been transformed, almost completely, as a green lane, from the Bordeaux’ docks to the Toulouse’ pink places. You will follow this ancient canal towpath, converted as a promenade and discovery space, to share with walkers and boaters. Between rivers, vines and orchards, the numerous ancient fortified towns are waiting to deliver their secrets and History. You will be surrounded by quietness, easy living, conviviality and gastronomy.

Day 1 : Arrival in Bordeaux

For this first day, take your time to visit Bordeaux . Take a walk along the Garonne docks . This city, World Heritage Site by UNESCO will fill you with enthusiasm for its quality of life, the green airy spaces , its gastronomy and its wine of course!

Day 2 : Bordeaux – Rauzan | 46 km

Once the Garonne crossed in Bordeaux, follow the bike path ‘Roger Lapébie’ (French racing cyclist) in the middle of vineyards and forest. This path use an ancient railway which leads you to the heart of the ‘Entre-deux-mers’ . You will leave it to reach you accommodation in Rauzan , medieval village overhanged by its castle and donjon.

Day 3 : Rauzan – Marmande | 69 km

You leave Rauzan and reach the bike path . It ends in Sauveterre-de-Guyenne , fortified village from de 13th century. Follow the itinerary by small countryside routes, before joining the Canal des-deux-mers in La Réole, small village overhanging the Garonne . Then follow the Canal and reach Marmande , the tomato capital city!

Day 4 : Marmande – Agen | 64 km

Reach the canal that you will follow to Agen . Two stops are must-be-seen places. The first at ‘ Le Mas-d’Agenais ’ with the church St. Vincent , pearl of the French Renaissance and the ‘Christ on the Cross’ from Rembrandt. The second one in Damazan , fortified village from the 13th century. Then you will arrive in Agen by one of the longest bridge-canal .

Day 5 : Agen – Moissac | 42 km

Run of the river, this stage continues, passing through Valence d’Agen , medieval village with a rich cultural and natural heritage. You will find a warm welcome for cyclotourists. You arrive in Moissac , unmissable stage of St Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage. Visit the ancient Benedictine abbatial church , its cloister and the church which tympanum is one of the greatest from the Romanesque Art .

Day 6 : Moissac – Toulouse | 68 km

During this last stage, enjoy the quietness of the canal before joining the lively and well-known “Ville rose” . The villages are queuing regularly, welcoming you for lunch breaks or relaxation. You arrive in Toulouse , away from the traffic, via the Canal du Midi.

Day 7 : Departure during the day

Before leaving, you must visit the town center! Walk around the well-known ‘Place du Capitole’ , the Basilica St Sernin , the Jacobins’ monastery…

The little extra with Biking France:

• Private return transfer from Toulouse to Bordeaux – on request.

Select your category

• from April 1st to 8th from October 12th to 31st
• Departure: daily
• from April 9th to October 11th

Category's details

• 6 nights with breakfasts (accommodation in a two-person bedroom) • 1 dinner (drinks not included) • Luggage transport during the bike stages (1 luggage 20kg per person) • Equipped cycle rental for 5 days • 1 travel folder (per room) including colour maps • A personalized navigation app showing points of interest along the route • City taxes • Hotline 7 days a week

• 5 dinners / Lunches / Drinks • Tickets to attractions, tours of attractions, tasting • Optional insurances (Cancellation Insurance OR Tranquility Insurance) • Single room supplement (6 nights included) • Transfer from Toulouse to Bordeaux and personal bike repatriation

According to the category (price per person)

(April 1st > 8th and October 12th > 31st) In the case of a single person per booking.

(price per additional luggage)

'Bike extra' & various

Your accommodation.

Your cycle hire

CLOSED or UNIVERSAL frame

• 2 rear panniers
• 1 front bag
• 1 kit repair (per booking)

Helmet not provided.

UNIVERSAL frame

• Rental bikes will be available from our local partner.
• At the end of the tour, leave the rental bikes at your hotel, we will pick them up.

Your journey

Tour description

The Canal de Garonne bike paths are using tow paths along the canal, cycling paths and some roads with little traffic.

Bike stages trip profiles: (click below to see the trip profile of each stage)

• stage Bordeaux – Rauzan : 46 km / elevation gain : 424m / elevation loss : 367m
• stage Rauzan – Marmande : 69 km / elevation gain : 432m / elevation loss : 476m
• stage Marmande – Agen : 64 km / elevation gain : 169m / elevation loss : 147m
• stage Agen – Moissac : 42 km / elevation gain : 111m / elevation loss : 93m
• stage Moissac – Toulouse : 68 km / elevation gain : 155m / elevation loss : 74m

Besides the maps and detailed itinerary, we also provide the GPX files of your bike stages, as well as a suggestion of free mobile application (if you do not have a bike touring GPS).

How to arrive in Bordeaux

By train: From Paris Montparnasse station >> Bordeaux St Jean station (about 2h10 by TGV train). For more information, do not hesitate to visit : www.sncf.com/en

• From Roissy CDG airport: – Roissy Charles de Gaulle T.2 train station >> Bordeaux St-Jean train station (by TGV train). www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport
• From Orly airport: – Taxi transfer to Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St-Jean train station (by TGV train).

– Bus shuttle (Le Bus Direct) : from Orly Sud or Ouest – Line 1 >> Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (by TGV train). www.lebusdirect.com/en/lines-and-schedules/orly-airport-paris-etoile-champs-elysees-line.html

• From Beauvais airport: – Taxi transfer to Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St-Jean train station (by TGV train).

– Bus shuttle >> Paris – stop ‘Porte Maillot’ >> Metro line 1 + line 13 >> Montparnasse train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (by TGV train). www.aeroportparisbeauvais.com/en/acces-et-transports/navettes

• From Bordeaux-Mérignac airport: – Shuttle transfer (30 minutes) to town center (Bordeaux St Jean train station). www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en www.30direct.com

If you have to come back to the start point:

• This return can be carry out by RandoVelo/Biking France: please contact us!
• A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike) (Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility) – Toulouse Matabiau train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (about 2h15 by TGV train or train) – Toulouse >> Bordeaux (by taxi)

If you have to return to Paris (city centre) / Paris Airports :

• A return transfer by train is possible and organised on your own. Please visit: www.sncf.com/en Plan to go to the train station with your luggage (and your potential own bike) (Personal bike return costs are on your responsibility) – Toulouse Matabiau train station >> Paris Montparnasse train station (TGV train). – Toulouse Matabiau train station >> Bordeaux St Jean train station (by train) >> Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV Station (by TGV train).

Nearby Airports: – Toulouse airport: www.toulouse.aeroport.fr/en – Bordeaux airport: www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en

Trip overall rating : / 7 testimonials

We (family of 5) enjoyed this trip a lot and would definitely recommend it. Do take the liberty to take some alternative routes away from the canal, but either way, beautiful, pleasant and well organised!

Très bon rapport qualité /prix. Toujours à l’écoute du client. Disponibilité et réactivité jamais mises en défaut.

We were a group of 5 and enjoyed the bike tour from Boudreaux to Toulouse very much. Cycling on the canal was good and most of the paths excellent. We look forward to another tour.

Ne pas se contenter de suivre le canal . très beaux villages tout le long du parcours .

Ne pas hésiter à sortir de l itinéraire pour une visite des bastides et siroter un petit sirop

Moins connu que le canal du Midi,le canal de la Garonne mérite un détour. Les villes de Bordeaux, Agen et Toulouse renforcent l’attrait du circuit. Le démarrage dans les vignes vient rompre la monotonie possible des kms du canal.Une belle expérience.

Very well organized, super nice accommodations, excellent bikes, interesting places to spend the night, most stop overs offering a variety of places to have dinner. Riding along the canal was lovely and green. We thoroughly enjoyed Bordeaux, where the ride began. Toulouse, where the ride ended, was also a fun location. RandoVelo has been an excellent company to work with. They were easy to communicate with and always answered our questions promptly.

These trips may also interest you

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The 'Canal des 2 Mers': from Bordeaux to Carcassonne 9 days from 1320 €

• Français ( French )

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American duo dominate race against the clock in Swiss race, Juan Ayuso nudges into overall lead ahead of decisive climbing stage.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

Brandon McNulty and Magnus Sheffield delivered an American sweep Friday at the wet and rainy third stage of the Tour de Romandie .

Racing in more favorable conditions than later starters, the American duo roared to the top spots in the 15.5km race against the clock in Oron on mostly dry roads.

McNulty edged out compatriot Sheffield by just under 13 seconds with a winning time of 20:07 for an average speed of 46.244kph.

“I didn’t know what to expect after the last few days. I had a good ride, and maybe I was a bit lucky with the weather,” McNulty said. “It’s nice to have a win, I was lucky to be in the dry, and it’s a bit strange because you don’t know if you were actually the fastest, but always happy with a win. Now we obviously need to defend because tomorrow will be a tough day, we look forward to defending the jersey now.”

The victory is the fifth this season for the UAE Team Emirates star who’s enjoying a big step up in quality and consistency .

The results are another sign of the arrival of a new generation of American talent in Europe. Sheffield is slated to make his grand tour debut at the Giro d’Italia next month.

UAE teammate Juan Ayuso was best among the GC favorites, and raced into the overall leader’s jersey. The Spanish rider and other GC later starters rode in rainy, wet conditions that slowed their times.

“It was a very hard TT and I think everybody suffered on it. All my teammates said they found it really tough when they got back to the bus so mentally I was prepared for that,” Ayuso said. “Personally I didn’t have great sensations but I think I managed to control my effort and push in the right places. In the wet it was quite tricky and I had to take a few risks.

“I think I’m in a good position on GC and hope we can hold on for a few more days and take home the GC. Quite a few guys are within a minute so we still have a lot of work to do to be able to win this race.”

McNulty and Sheffield both lost time earlier in the race, and had no chance to take the jersey.

The race continues Saturday with the decisive mountaintop finale in the 159.2km stage fro Saillon to Leysin. A first-category climb should see more separation in the GC.

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