Canal du midi by bike from toulouse to sete luggage transfer. A cycle tour operated by france bike trips for more than 10 years. It is the oldest canal in europe and the first canal in the world to use locks, who were invented by leonardo da vinci when he lived his last years in france. Canal du midi cruises sail through rolling countryside and canal side vineyards all under the dappled shade of plane trees lining the canal. The canal du midi is typically characterized as the achievement of pierrepaul riquet, a tax farmer and entrepreneur for the canal. Languedocroussillon in the south of france includes the cities of montpellier, nimes, toulouse, and carcassonne. However, the central part of the journey can be as bit tricky due to physical conditions on the path. A bike trip from bordeaux to toulouse on secured cycling paths along the canal greenways, with luggage transfer. The canal du midi bike path are using mainly the tow paths along the canal and dirt paths sometimes narrow.
Explore medieval walled towns, cathar castles, local markets and of course refuel on delicious french cuisine on route. Passing through historic water locks you will discover charming medieval villages and ancient fortress cities. The canal du midi is located in the south of france, in the departments of herault, aude, and hautegaronne. A cruisers guide first edition by bernd w kiessler isbn. Sightseeing, wine tasting, and sunkissed cycle rides await, all the way from bustling toulouse to the golden sands of the.
The canal du midi is steeped in history and heritage. A cycling holiday along frances historic canal du midi and surrounding countryside. Visit the cities of toulouse and carcassone en route. If you choose to cruise by booking an individual deluxe cabin, youll experience our popular best of the languedoc cruise route. Coronavirus status you can buy books and ebooks to plan, enjoy and dream. Truly an outstanding feat of engineering when completed in 1694, the main course of the canal du midi runs 240 kilometres 150 miles. If you can i suggest you photocopy the maps you intend to used, put them in plastic sleeves and use those for navigating at the helm. Why your next trip to europe should be on the canals afar media. It is a flat, carfree and picturesque route mainly on the towpath, and is suitable for all abilities. Nov 07, 2019 trudy and mike embark on a cycle tour tracing the route of the canal du midi from its source to the mediterranean.
Built in the 1600s with the goal of connecting the two bodies of water for the purpose of transporting wheat, canal du midi is one of the oldest continuously running canals in europe. Few, if any publications on bicycling the canal du midi mention the drastic changing conditions of the towpath, often creating dangerous conditions for cyclists. Hotel toulouse canal du midi is located in the center of toulouse on the edge of canal du midi and next to halle aux grains concert hall, just 0. Friendly cafes and gourmet restaurants abound on the canal du midi. The 150mile long canal du midi begins at the garonne river in aquitaine, which flows from the pyrenees to the atlantic ocean and ends at the mediterranean sea in sete, located in the languedoc region. Canal du midi boat hire midi cruising holidays le boat. The canal du midi, designed and built by pierrepaul riquet in 16621681, is a. Canal du midi detailed navigation guide and maps french. Canal du midi official website for tourism in france ee france fr. Pass a second roundabout next to the mc donalds and continue straight on to the town centre. This canal du midi bike tour goes through other equally fascinating sites such as agde.
Yet chandra mukerji argues that it was a product of collective intelligence, depending on peasant women and artisans unrecognized heirs to roman traditions of engineering who came to labor on the waterway. Canal boat hire ireland boating holidays in ireland. It was the brainchild of pierrepaul riquet, a minor noble and tax collector, who succeeded in convincing louis xiv and more importantly, his first minister, colbert of the merits of linking the atlantic and the mediterranean via the garonne. Canal du midi cycle alongside one of the greatest works of civil engineering of the 17th century.
There are also many worthwhile sites and experiences that you will likely miss unless you have this guide. The renowned quality of our watercraft locaboat is the original designer of the penichette model, the expertise and passion of our staff for boating holidays will make your cruise a unique and memorable experience. Constructing the canal du midi could be seen as a crazy idea. From here, sete is a 240km bike ride along the canal du midi. The price does not include meals and picnics, accommodation on day 6, drinks, personal purchases, picnic, personal cycling material helmet, gloves etc, bicycles, transportation to the rdv points. Top 5 destinations for your canal boat holiday saga. Discover the canal des deux mers a velo, an exceptional cycle route linking the two seas of the atlantic and the mediterranean. Through a canal du midi boat hire, youll see stunning cathedrals, grand chateaux, ancient ruins and medieval cities. Book contact cooking by the canal du midi occitanie. Cycling the canal du midi from toulouse to sete, france. Pedal along the unesco listed canal du midi and canal du robine on this relaxed cycling tour from carcassonne to narbonne. The canal du midi, a silky pale green liquid ribbon that meanders, connecting the mediterranean port city of sete to toulouse is one of the most notable and oldest inland waterways of europe still in use.
Our company owns a fleet of 380 top quality canal boats. The canal du midi offers a range of activities from boat hire, cycling, exploring nearby villages and is packed with history. In the second of a twopart series, we cycle this the canal du midi. Home to flora and fauna, rural vistas, and lush vineyards, a canal du midi cruise features a romantic and idyllic waterway, perfect for luxury barging. The book is quite small and does not lie flat which means having the map page for the bit you are currently cruising is difficult. Bike hire in paraza and the canal du midi mellow velos bike. Guide to cycling the canal du midi in southern france, 240km from toulouse in the. Museum fans will love castelnaudary, beziers, narbonne and toulouse. But as you cruise along the canal, you can go past these wonders without even noticing them. The canal du midi runs for 240km from the river garonne at toulouse via carcassonne to the mediterranean at agde.
Canal du midi is one of the worlds best known places for a boating vacation. Cycling to the mediterranean coast via the canal du midi. Im currently doing some research to find the best guide. One of the leading wineproducing areas of the world, its also known for its impressive roman heritage and the 240km 149 mile long canal du midi. Heaths covered with heather, the ancient and colourful irish language a form of gaelic friendly pubs where guinness is an institution, a deeplyanchored island culture, and saint patricks day, when everyone gets up. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund.
Canal du midi official website for tourism in france. The canal du midi, a connection between the mediterranean and the atlantic. Cycling the canal du midi, including bike hire, accommodation in the midipyrenees and languedoc, route. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Cycling the canal du midi will be an unforgettable life experience. A french backroad cycling classic on green lanes and canalside cycle paths. Canal du midi cycling guidebook cycle from cicerone press. No romance, no beauty, just turn here, turn there and, by the way, look out for. The canal du midi was the result of the vision of one man, pierrepaul riquet, who in 1662 wrote to combert, minister of louis xiv. Locaboat has been active in the boating holiday industry since 1977. Cruising this 300 year old waterway, you will savor the slow easy pace of travel as you pass lush vineyards in the heart of the languedoc wine region. Cycling the canal du midi, including bike hire, accommodation in the midi pyrenees and languedoc, route.
At this bend, just before the bridge above the canal, turn left on the quai du canelot and go on the road along the canal up to the base. From the bordeaux vineyards, via agen and marmande to the pink city, toulouse. Take the towpath and discover the highway structures at your leisure. Canal du midi cruise, barge trips on the canal du midi. Whether youre a lover of nature, culture or gastronomy, come to the canal du midi this varied site is perfect for you. I am writing to you from perpignan about my plans for a canal which could be built in this province of languedoc to connect the atlantic ocean and the mediterranean sea. The canal du midi is the red route below ive highlighted the whole canal des 2 mers route for people cycling coast to coast. The comprehensive imray book click lefthand inland waterways of france and. Canal du midi cruises hotel barges and selfdrive boats. Hello, im about to book my first canal boat trip to the canal du midi in june very excited. The lofty dream of engineer pierrepaul riquet to create a direct passage between the mediterranean sea and the atlantic ocean, bypassing the strait of gibraltar, enabling farmers and producers of wheat, wine, wools, silks, and salt a way to export their goods for trade. Therefore, this bike tour is not suitable for road bikes and bikes equipped with trailer.
Mellow velos paraza on the canal du midi has been supplying high quality rental bikes to holidaymakers staying in gites, chambre dhotes, campsites and hotels in languedoc for the last 14 years. Athos offers canal du midi cruises to suit both couples looking for a romantic french holiday and groups celebrating a special deluxe event or planning the ultimate family holiday. The joy of riding a route that finishes at the sea. Occitania is a warm and sunny region of southern france. Each includes largescale maps of the complete route with moorings, locks. Cycling the canal du midi from source to sea youtube. Backroad cycling tours southwest france bike trips.
Canal du midi in southern france 1 canal boat trips win the hearts of countless holidaymakers every year by offering the best of both worlds all the comforts of a cosy homeawayfromhome combined with that on the road excitement of exploring pastures new. Since many barges work the same short stretch of canal season after season, shore excursions are enriched by close relationships with local people and a deep. Mar 26, 2017 the canal du midi twists its way over 241km, from toulouse to the mediterranean coastal town of sete. The canal, locks and canal boats make this a great itinerary for all the family.
If you are selfdriving your boat, getting and reading in advance a pilot guide book is strongly recommended canal du midi navigation books and guides road and by water, most of the large towns along the canal du midi have excellent rail links. Most barge cruises, like this one on the canal du midi in france, take place aboard converted historic vessels, but the boats still have many of the same amenities as a boutique hotel. Canal des 2 mers by bike atlantic mediterranean sea. You can follow the canal by road, and many sections have foot or cycling paths, but the. Strictly speaking, canal du midi refers to the portion initially constructed from toulouse to the mediterranean the deuxmers canal project aimed to link together several sections of navigable waterways to join the mediterranean and the atlantic.
Cooking classes in sw france beside the canal du midi near carcassonne contact us to discuss your needs, to book a class or arrange a visit. When it comes to barging in the south of france, the scenic canal du midi is a must. I have a trip planned on the canal du midi later this year and this book has so. The canal du midi, designed and built by pierrepaul riquet in 16621681, is a remarkable work of engineering, justifying its inclusion in the unesco world heritage list in 1996, and one of the most popular cruising waterways in france. After around 15km, you leave the canal to pedal along tranquil country lanes via the quiet villages of rustiques, badens and aiguesvives, passing orchards and vineyards before rejoining the towpath for the. Reservation of nightstays, maps, mapholders, road book. Sep 15, 2009 if you intend cruising the canal du midi this book is a must. When people mention ireland, lots of images come to mind. Start the canal du midi guide at sete where the canal opens onto the mediterranean. The canal du midi is cycled by people from all over the world each year. If you are selfdriving your boat, getting and reading in advance a pilot guide book is strongly recommended canal du midi navigation books and guides com prices. We recommend booking canal du midi tours ahead of time to secure your spot.
Deep in languedocroussillon, southern france, your tour begins in the exquisitely preserved town of carcassonne. Its very name is imbued with resonancethe canal of two seassince its network of waterways connects the atlantic to the mediterranean and once served as a major trade route. Canal du midi all the way to homps, this alternative is a little more varied in terms of terrain. We follow the unesco recognised canal through beautiful french countryside and.
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