THE CANAL DU MIDI BY BIKE FROM TOULOUSE TO CARCASSONNE

4 days / 3 nights or 5 days / 4 nights

HIGHLIGHTS

• A Toulouse-based

company, situated in front of

the main railway station, on

the banks of the Canal du

Midi

• A selection of B&Bs and

charming hotels, often with

a swimming pool

• A bike trip with reasonable

‘étapes’ or stages in the most

beautiful sites of the Canal

du Midi, chosen by our local

cycling specialists

• New, comfortable bikes,

adjusted to your size

THE CANAL DU MIDI BY BIKE FROM

TOULOUSE TO CARCASSONNE

4 days / 3 nights (or version 5 days / 4 nights)

Self-guided cycling holiday - ONWARD JOURNEY

This first part of our cycling route along the Canal du Midi

proposes an itinerary from Toulouse to Carcassonne. To start

off, we suggest a tour of Toulouse (on bike or on foot) before

crossing the Lauragais. If you want to start your trip gently,

then we recommend an night in a pretty B&B with a

swimming pool.

This magical landscape of the Lauragais is full of fortified

hamlets, abbeys and attractive villages and we encourage you

to take the time to explore a little. You arrive in

Castelnaudary, home of cassoulet, where we advise you on

the best restaurants to delight your taste buds. The canal

leads you next to the medieval city of Carcassonne, which you

cannot miss visiting.

DAY BY DAY

Day 1: VISIT TOULOUSE BY BIKE OR ON FOOT

B&B / 2* hotel

Arrival in Toulouse. Time to soak up the atmosphere of this latin

town, with its numerous lively squares. Whether on foot or by bike,

explore the many narrow, historic streets of “la ville rose” (the pink

town), with its exceptional architectural heritage. Le Capitole, la

basilique Saint Sernin and the Jacobins are amongst the unavoidable

sights.

Passionate ourselves about our city of Toulouse, we will know how to

help you discover the very best and most authentic places. Night in

Toulouse with dinner of your own choice.

Toulouse bike tour and supplementary nights possible

See “Our Supplementary Services”

Day 2 : FROM TOULOUSE TO RENNEVILLE OR

CASTELNAUDARY

B&B / 2* Hôtel

From 9.A.M., you can collect your bike, equipment and trip

documents from our offices. These are situated near your hotel,

where we will take care of your luggage. Our team will welcome you

and give you plenty of good advice for your journey. After 50km of

tarred cycling path you arrive at the highly agreeable seuil de

Naurouze, watershed between the Atlantic and Mediterranean. You

spend the night in Renneville or in Castelnaudary, the largest inland

port between Toulouse and the Mediterranean. Dinner of your own

choice.

Cycling: 30 km or 65 km

Day 3 (OPTION): THE CANAL DU MIDI FROM

RENNEVILLE TO CASTELNAUDARY

Supplementary stage possible in order to divide this first stage into 2

days of 30 km, for a more gentle start. Pretty B&B with a pool in the

village of Renneville.

Day 3 (or day 4) : FROM CASTELNAUDARY TO

CARCASSONNE

B&B / 2* Hôtel

You set off along the banks of the Grand Bassin de Castelnaudary, a

small lake at the foot of the town. Suddenly, far away, you can see the

unbelievable splendour of the medieval city of Carcassonne. This

short stage leaves you free to explore Carcassonne during the

afternoon.

Cycling : 42 km

Day 4 (or day 5) : CARCASSONNE

Your holiday ends after your breakfast.

Bike hire for the day is an option (15€ per person).

We recommend a pretty tour that starts in Carcassonne, allowing you

to discover the city as well as vineyards and the Cavayère lake.

THE CANAL DU MIDI BY BIKE - (Part 2)

It is possible to prolong your trip to go as far as the sea, with the 2nd

part of the Canal du Midi by bike, from Carcassonne to Agde, Sète or

Montpellier.

We also offer the integral version of the Canal du Midi by bike, from

Toulouse to Agde, Sète or Montpellier.

Au fil des jours

DAY BY DAY

DISCLAIMER

The names and the photos of accommodation are given for

information purposes. According to availability, the B&Bs or hotels

could be modified and replaced without warning by another

accommodation of the same category.

OUR SELECTION OF ACCOMMODATION

« Standard »

You sleep in pretty Bed and Breakfasts, or welcoming 2*

hotels, ideally situated for your overnight stays along the

length of the canal. The swimming pools will give you the

chance of a refreshing bathe at the end of the day (as often as

possible). Breakfast is included.

We have selected for you B&Bs with cachet where you will

find a warm welcome and a swimming pool as often as

possible. These are ideally situated along the length of the

canal. According to availability at the time of your inscription,

it could be possible that you are booked into a different B&B

of the same category or into a 2* hotel.

Upgrade “comfort”

(+80€ or 100€ per person)

You stay in particularly B&Bs with cachet and

in 3* hotels. Relaxation assured, with a

swimming pool, as often as possible, for a

refreshing bathe. Breakfast is included.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

HOW TO GET HERE

In order to limit your CO2 emissions, we encourage you to

carpool or use public transport.

IF YOU COME BY TRAIN

Tariffs and timetables on the website:

https://www.oui.sncf/

SNCF Train station Toulouse Matabiau.

Our offices are located opposite the train station

Matabiau.

IF YOU COME BY PLANE

Aéroport de Toulouse Blagnac

Navettes allow you to go from the airport to the railway

station in 30 minutes.

Our offices are located just opposite the bus station in

Toulouse.

IF YOU COME BY CAR

Find your route on the website: www.viamichelin.fr or

www.mappy.fr

YOUR STAY

MEALS :

To give you maximum flexibility, we

have left you free to choose your own

dinners rather than include these in the

holiday price. There are numerous

restaurants possible on each night.

LEVEL :

Stages of 35 to 60 km per day. Almost

entirely flat, bike paths are tarred only

at the beginning of the itinerary.

Possible with sport-loving children of 10

years and older.

GUIDING/MONITORING :

Self-guided, unaccompanied holiday.

QUALITY BIKES AND EQUIPMENT

● Arcade hybrid bikes made in France, perfectly adapted

to the Canal du Midi

A fresh stock of more than 60 bikes of different sizes,

2018 models

Ride the latest, up to date bikes!

Our bikes are renewed each season and checked after

each hire by our specialist mechanics.

● All your equipment is included : helmet, panniers front

and back, lights front and back, lock, repair kit, yellow

high visibility jacket.

● A bike that fits you, we have 6 sizes available

● Electric bikes (e-bikes) available as an optional extra

CHARACTERISTICS

Aluminium frame, 21 speeds, ‘V-brake’ brakes, ‘Royal’ saddle, puncture resistant tires, 28" wheels,

mudguards, weight 14 KG.

Given the nature of the terrain, 2 wheel trailers for children are not possible on the

section between Toulouse and Castelnaudary.

WE CAN ALSO PROPOSE

Tandems Bob Yak bike trailers Children’s trailers Panniers

Security deposit is to be given at the time of taking the rented equipment. A guarantee (a swipe of your credit card) as well as a proof of identity are also requested. The guarantee is reimbursed upon the safe return of the bikes.

Bring one bag or suitcase for a change of clothes during your week. Transported by vehicle, you will

find your bag each evening in your B&B or hotel.

WHAT TO BRING

Clothes

• 1 sun hat or baseball cap • 1 neck scarf • 1 woolen/fleece hat or bandana • Breathable T-shirts Avoid cotton, which takes a long time to dry; bring short sleeve t-shirts in breathable material • I base layer (breathable material) or 1 shirt with long sleeves • 1 fleece • 1 jacket made of Gore-tex or similar, waterproof and breathable • I long and 1 short pair of cycling shorts, preferably padded for more comfort cycling • 1 pair of trousers for the evening • Under wear • Socks. Avoid cotton ‘tennis’ type socks which are slow to dry • 1 swimming costume for the swimming pools and your arrival at the sea

Shoes

• 1 pair of shoes ‘multi-activity’ for cycling and walking • Pumps or sandals for the evening This list should be adapted according to the season.

Equipment

• 1 pair of sun glasses of excellent quality • 1 head torch (optional): our bikes are equipped with lights • 1 pocket knife (to be put in the hold luggage on the plane) • 1 small waterproof bag for valuables and money Si vous prenez votre propre vélo : • 1 casque (non obligatoire en France mais fortement conseillé) • 1 paire de gants de vélo (facultatif mais fortement conseillé) • 1 porte-carte (facultatif) • 1 gourde (1,5 litre minimum) • 1 kit de réparation (chambre à air de rechange, pompe, rustine, colle à rustine…)

• Necessary toiletries: preferably biodegradable products • 1 quick drying towel • Toilet paper • Sun cream and protective lip balm • Soothing cream

If you take your own bike • 1 helmet (not obligatory in France but strongly recommended) • 1 pair of cycling gloves (optional but strongly recommended) • 1 map carrier (optional) • 1 water container (1,5 liter minimum) • 1 repair kit (spare inner tube, pump, puncture repair kit) • 1 bicycle lock • panniers • water carrier (optional)

Personal Pharmacy • Your usual medicines

• Vitamin C ou multi-vitamins

• Pain killers : preferably paracetamol

• Adhesive tape (eg: Elastoplast) 6 cm wide

• Plasters of different sizes and antiseptic

wipes

• 2nd skin dressings for blisters (eg: Spenco)

• Mosquito repellent

YOU HAVE A QUESTION ?

WE HAVE AN ANSWER !

CONTACT US

☎

Par téléphone

+ 33 5 61 71 00 55 + 33 5 34 40 64 72

Par e-mail

contact@veloccitane.fr

Par courrier

Véloccitane - Maison du Vélo Toulouse 89 bd Pierre Sémard

31000 Toulouse

VÉLOCCITANE, THE CYCLING TRAVEL AGENCY

Véloccitane is a travel agency dedicated to self-guided biking tours.

Our office is ideally located along the Canal du Midi in Toulouse, in front of the train station

Matabiau. From there, why not visiting the gorgeous routes of the south-west of France? The Canal

du Midi, Canal de Garonne, Canal de la Robine, Rigole de la Plaine are waiting for you!

Our website www.veloccitane.fr

Our facebook : https://fr-fr.facebook.com/veloccitane/

Registration under the travel agencies register Atout France : IM031160002

Financial guarantee : Groupama Assurance Crédit – 5/7 rue du Centre – 93199 Noisy le Grand

Professional liability insurance : Groupama d’Oc – 14 rue Vidailhan – CS 93105 – 31131 Balma Cedex

Anaïs, your travel agent

She will be your privileged interlocutor in order to develop a stay that perfectly corresponds to your desires. Anaïs will be able to advise you the right addresses and the essential sites of the South-West. Always curious to discover a new destination combine with a rich customer relationship experience will work your heart out to guide you towards the realization of your next bicycle trip!