Published by Lyn on 21 October 2014
Scott emailed about luggage transfer for a canal ride in the south of France. Here's our email exchange.
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Bonjour
We are planning a self-guided cycling trip along the Canal du Midi in June of 2015. We are looking for a bicycle hire company that can also assist with luggage transfers. We found your site online and were wondering if you could help us with our plans or direct us to the proper source. We would like to travel from Toulouse to Cadillac. We are two adults.
Merci,
Scott
I wrote back:
Thanks for the email - I hope you've found my site useful.
There are a number of companies working the Canal. See this page where I can recommend bike hire + luggage transfers (it has what info to send me).
Note there is currently work being done on the Canal that does affect the towpath in parts. However, Isabella from Relax Rentals had this to say when I asked her about it:
"When there is a detour on the canal, generally, it is well indicated and you just go around and follow the arrows until they lead back to the canal.Cheers
Lyn.
Scott wrote back:
Hi Lyn,
Thanks for your prompt and thorough reply. Apparently I had offered incorrect information in my original message. It isn’t the Canal du Midi that we are interested in but rather the route along the Garonne from Toulouse to Bordeaux (or just outside the city). Apparently this route isn’t as popular as the Canal du Midi, which, I now understand, runs from Toulouse in the direction opposite the way we’d like to travel. I think that’s why I’m having more difficulty finding the information I needed.
This is a much less travelled route than the Midi but very much worthwhile. It's quite diverse and the towpaths and roads you'll be using are nearly all paved and in good condition. It is a bit hillier in parts though - not entirely flat as per the Midi. But it covers some beautiful terrain, passing through vineyards and countryside as well as following the water.
See our overview of the Canal de Garonne route. And also our DIY route planner. The excellent Roger Lapebie bike path links the actual Canal de Garonne to Bordeaux if you get that far. From Bordeaux it's possible to ride all the way to the coast to Lacanau.