Pedal along the Canal du Midi and Canal de la Garonne
Travel through peaceful countryside and discover the agricultural region of Lauragais
Visit the wine capital of Bordeaux and the "pink city" of Toulouse
Explore Europe's largest fortified city: Carcassonne
Sample a regional specialty from Castelnaudary: Cassoulet
The Canal des Deux Mers is the name given to the waterway formed by the Canal du Midi and the Canal de la Garonne. The Canal du Midi is a navigation canal linking Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Canal de la Garonne, built after the Canal du Midi, is the second-largest canal in France. It features 53 locks and a continuous greenway accessible to all.
You will start your cycling trip in the elegant wine capital of Bordeaux. Enjoy tasting the region's wines (Saint-émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac...) and visiting the "Cité du vin" with its restaurant offering panoramic views over the city.
You will follow the canal all the way to the "Pink City" of Toulouse, and cycle along safe paths. From Toulouse, you will follow in the footsteps of the famous French "canal architect" Pierre Paul-Riquet.
You will cross the farmlands of the Lauragais and the vineyards of the Minervois. The sinuous, ingeniously constructed Canal du Midi will be your guide and lead the way to Castelnaudary. Enjoy your stay in the town and sample one of Occitanie's regional specialties, made with dried beans and meat: the Cassoulet.
Your cycling tour will end in Carcassonne, the world's largest fortified medieval city. Visit this architectural complex of outstanding beauty, stroll along the ramparts and visit the Château Comtal. There is a lot to be enjoyed on the way along this large scale ‘water work’: antique boats, dozens of oval shaped locks of various sizes, age old villages, gastronomic surprises...and more!