Everything you need to know about cycling in France your independent guide
Published by Lyn on 30 October 2018
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Ride Bordeaux-Sete via the Canal de Garonne and the Canal du Midi
Offered by:
Le Velo Voyageur
Phone number:
+33 (0)1 80 91 98 18
Tour length:
14 days
Price:
From €1499
Ride the famous and popular two canals route in one go from Bordeaux to Sète. This is a well-planned itinerary that combines both the Canal de Garonne and the Canal du Midi into a single self-guided tour. The route is flat along greenways and canal towpaths, making it ideal for riders of all abilities. Ride the Garonne from Bordeaux to Toulouse, alongside the river and the canal, passing vineyards as you go. Begin in wonderful Bordeaux before following the Roger Lapebie bike path to Sauveterre-de-Guyenne and then backroads to La Réole. Follow the canal to towns and villages like Mas d’Agenais, Damazan and Agen, with its beautiful canal bridge, and to Moissac to see its beautiful abbey and cloister. From the Pink City of Toulouse, it's on to the Canal du Midi, which takes you through Castelnaudary to Carcassonne and its outstanding medieval fortress. Continue cycling along the canal to Béziers then Agde and the pond Thau. Then look ahead to a swim in the Mediterranean Sea before arriving in the vibrant city of Sète. The price includes baggage transfers, accommodation, full route notes and maps, as well as bike hire.
Green lanes and cycle paths next to the beautiful Canal de la Garonne
Offered by:
France Bike Trips
Phone number:
+33 (0) 4 58 14 04 35
Tour length:
6 days
Price:
From €595
The Canal de la Garonne may well be the little sibling of the famous Canal du Midi, but it's no less impressive. This is mostly flat route suited to all abilities. It's also mostly an off-road/car-free route via a great network of cycle paths and green lanes, where the waters of the canal set the pace of the riding. It's a great opportunity to ride under your own steam from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, linking with the Midi at Toulouse. No noise, no cars, no stress – just a gentle progression from lock to lock. Visit the Abbaye de la Sauve-Majeure (a UNESCO heritage site), follow the medieval ramparts of Pommier and admire the half-timber houses of Damazan. Visit also the historical towns of Agen, Marmande, Moissac and Montauban. This tour is E-bike compatible.
Experience one of France's most famous routes
Linked to the Canal de Garonne, the Canal du Midi made the transport of goods between Bordeaux on the Atlantic Ocean and Marseilles on the Mediterranean Sea far quicker and safer - by avoiding the possibility of attack from the pirates and slave traders of North Africa’s Barbary Coast. There are no such worries today and the shady canal towpath makes for idyllic cycling through picturesque landscapes. Ebikes are also available.
Follow the course of the Canal du Midi, visiting local gems along the way
Offered by:
Le Vélo Voyageur
Phone number:
+33 (0)1 80 91 98 18
Tour length:
8 days
Price:
From €979
This cycling tour takes you from Toulouse to the Mediterranean sea along the Canal du Midi. You ride on the hauling path or further to discover here and there an abbey, nice vineyards or a lake. You start your cycling holiday in Toulouse, where you already feel the way of life of the South of France, discover its gastronomy and wonder at its soft colors. You then ride through the Lauragais, a vast fertile plain dotted with nice churches and ride through Castelnaudary, the home town of cassoulet before reaching the cute port of Bram. You head then to Carcassonne and its famous medieval fortress before riding into Minervois, where you will pass many peaceful wine villages along the canal. You stop in one of them before going to your next stop in Béziers. Afterwards, the sea is only a few kilometers away. You reach first Agde and the Thau Lagoon. You ride the last stretch along the sea and arrive in the town of Sète and its port, the destination of your adventure. The price of this tour includes bike hire, accommodation, luggage transfers and all the maps and information you need to get the most out of your trip.
Ride one of France's most famous canals in a leisurely 4 days
This short break links two of the Canal du Midi strongholds: the starting point of the canal – the pink city of Toulouse – and the medieval fortress of Carcassonne. The route follows the canal towpath as well as low-traffic country backroads, leading you across the Lauragais, a large fertile plain surrounded by hills where the pastel trade prospered in the 15th and 16th centuries and brought wealth to Toulouse. Ride through Castelnaudary, the capital of cassoulet, and past the abbey of Saint-Papoul before arriving in Carcassonne to explore the city in all its medieval glory. This is a self-guided ride, with bike hire, accommodation included, as well as maps, route notes and lots of local biking advice. Daily distances: 24-49km.
A leisurely ride along France's most famous canal to the Med
Offered by:
France Bike Trips
Phone number:
+33 (0)4 58 14 04 35
Tour length:
7 days
Price:
From €595
The Canal du Midi is an ideal route for anyone wanting to take a leisurely ride and relax for a week of cycling with friends or family. From lock to lock and bridge to bridge, the canal will carry you from the heart of Toulouse to Marseillan, on the Mediterranean Coast. Enjoy some time exploring the narrow labyrinthine streets of the 'pink city' of Toulouse before heading off along the canal to the Plaines du Lauragais, Castelnaudary and on to the towering fortified town of Carcassonne. You'll also pass by the seven locks of Fonséranne and the Etang de Thau (complete with oyster beds), before arriving at the Med. Price includes 6 nights' B&B accommodation, 4 evening meals, baggage transfers, detailed road book, maps and GPS tracks. Available guided or unguided.
Customised cycling packages for great roads and epic climbs
Offered by:
Hello Pyrenees
Phone number:
+33 (0)6 52 94 65 08
Tour length:
Minimum 1 week in high season, 2 days in low season
Price:
700€ per person per week based on 2 people sharing
Amy and James and Hello Pyrenees offer supported and self-guided packages for cyclists by cyclists. Enjoy 7 nights' accommodation in a lovingly restored gite, giving you your own space and privacy. Cycling packages can be tailored – for example, enjoy supported cycling or head out on your own. Ride on the road or go off road on a mountain bike. Ride from the door or take advantage of Amy and James' dropoff/pickup service for rides farther field in the valley. Breakfasts included, plus afternoon tea each day and 6 nights of nutritious, 3-course home-cooked evening meals (with beer or wine). Transfers from airports or train stations at Lourdes, Pau, Toulouse or Biarritz can be arranged at an additional charge. Packages are available May 1 to October 30.
Let Freewheeling France help you plan your French cycling adventures
If you want to cycle in France but you're not sure where to go or how to sort it – maybe you're strugglng to find accommodation or the right self-guided or guided ride for you – then this service is for you. It's my own bespoke service that matches your holiday wishlist to the right tour operator or accommodation option for you. This is for riders who need a little support on the road – anything and everything from accommodation advice and route planning to hiring bikes and luggage transfers. I'm working with a network of cycling specialists across France to offer you the best cycling holidays possible – and tailored just for you, your dates and your cycling ability. Hit the brown button below or see this link for details.
The Pyrenees offers some of the best cycling in France. This lovely cyclist-owned house is looking for a new owner – it could be you!
Posted: 3 May 2023
Guidebook: Cycling the Wild Atlantic Way and Western Ireland
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