Cycling The Canal Du Midi

Joining the tour in Beziers today, there will be a short briefing to introduce you to the itinerary for the coming days ahead. Beziers sits at the heart of a huge wine growing area and has a colourful and fascinating history. The gothic cathedral sits high above the canal on the site of the romanesque building destroyed by the Crusaders’ fires during the Crusades against the Cathars. The old centre is crisscrossed by narrow streets offering some great views over the Orb Valley, whilst in the distance the hills of the Cevennes rise up to form the start of the Massif Central. The town is also famous for its Poutous, a delicious treat made from honey and Bitterois, a cake made from almonds as well as some fine regional wines and chocolate. Fine wines, good food and glorious scenery, what better way to start!

Overnight Standard Hotel

After becoming acquainted with our bicycles, our journey begins in earnest today as we head south, towards the coast at Valras Plage. Following a route that takes us across a mainly level, or at the very most slightly undulating landscape, we head along quiet country roads to Valras Plage for a leisurely lunch and the chance to relax on the beach or take a swim before meandering inland again to join the towpaths of the Canal du Midi. Connecting the old trade routes between the Languedoc and Aquitaine, the canal was the brainchild of Pierre-Paul Riquet, a 17th century noble whose persistence and fortitude convinced both Louis XIV and his First Minister, Colbert, of the merits of linking the Atlantic with the Mediterranean. The project was begun in 1667 and took some 14 years to complete, eventually carving a trail some 240km in length, from the River Garonne to Agde on the Mediterranean coast. Unfortunately for Monsieur Riquet he died just six months short of the canal’s completion, so never actually saw what came to be known as ‘Riquet’s Ditch’ finished. River traffic brought immense prosperity to the towns along its course, until the arrival of the Sete-Bordeaux railway in 1857, which all but saw an end to the commercial importance of the canal. Lined with trees and consisting of some 99 locks and 130 bridges, the canal is an engineering marvel and its tranquil beauty affords us an ideal opportunity to explore something of the delightful countryside of this part of south-west France. (Total cycling distance approx 45km)

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving Beziers behind this morning we head south once more, following the course of the waterway, passing the famous nine locks at Fonseranes. One of the highlights of the entire canal system, the locks comprise of eight ovoid water basins, unique to the Canal du Midi, that extend 300m up a slope of some 21.5m, a spectacular feat of civil engineering that makes this site one of the most popular attractions in the entire Languedoc-Roussillon region. There is an option today to visit the pre-Roman site of Oppidium d’Enserune, from where you can get some stunning views across the Beziers plain, including the medieval crop formations of the Etang de Montady and the Malpas tunnel. Measuring some 173m in length the tunnel was dug below the Colline de Montady in just six days and was the first of its kind to be used for the access of sailing vessels. From here we turn away from the canal for a short time, taking a route that passes through a rural landscape of traditional village life, en route to the city of Narbonne, our final destination for today. (Total cycling distance approx 35km)

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today has been left free to explore something of Narbonne and its environs and the itinerary is very much dependent upon on the interests of our group. There are options to cycle from Narbonne to either Narbonne Plage or Gruissan via the Canal de la Robine, Given the nature of today’s riding the terrain you choose is very much up to the individual, offering a mainly level landscape to traverse, but with a chance to explore something of the hilly routes around the ‘Clapes’ range should you so decide. You may of course prefer to stay a little closer to home and explore the city itself. Formerly the capital of Rome’s first settlement in Gaul, Narbonne was once a thriving port and a major centre of commercial enterprise and communication during the Middle Ages, that is until plague, the English and the silting up of the harbour saw an end to its importance and prosperity during the 14th century. Today its restored medieval quarter and dominating cathedral choir makes it an interesting place to soak up something of the atmosphere of its halcyon days and learn a little of the fascinating history of this region. Modern Narbonne boasts a thriving wine industry and an alternative option for those that wish it is a visit to a local winery for a tasting. (Total cycling distance approx 33-56km, depending on the option chosen)

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Our optional cycle takes us or to take in the lakes of Bages and Peyriac, to view some of the wildlife that inhabit the lagoons including the resident flamingos from where we continue to the nearby Abbey of Fontfroide, a beautifully restored 12th century Romanesque structure that boasts some lovely cloisters, as well as a spectacular rose garden. The abbey survived the Cathar Wars, the Black Death and the Revolution and it was only the death of the last abbot at the end of the 19th century and the introduction of laws ending monastic communities that finally saw the monastery close. Extensive restoration has seen the buildings restored to something of their former glory, with some spectacular stained glass, intricate reliefs and wall paintings enhancing the former quarters of the monks. After our visit we continue continue to rejoin the Canal de Robine, another of Paul Riquet’s projects, joining up with the southern end of the Canal du Midi. We follow part of its delightful tree-lined course this afternoon as we return to Narbonne (Total cycling distance approx 56km).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

After a short transfer this morning to the wine producing town of Lezignan corbieres our ride today brings us to one of the region’s most visually spectacular settings, the walled fortress of Carcassonne, once one of the most important and powerful cities in the south, before the all consuming Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars saw the town fall to the notorious onslaught of the forces of Simon de Montfort. Our ride takes us via the pathways of the Canal du Midi, through a patchwork landscape of attractive villages, wildflowers and vineyards. En route we have the option to stop off at the interesting Ecluse de L'Aiguille where the imaginative and gifted lock keeper has created some delightfully humorous  sculptures from recycled wood and metal, before finishing the day’s ride in Carcassonne itself. (Total cycling distance approx 55km)
 

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Our final day’s riding allows the option to do as much or as little as you want. There are a number of optional rides out from Carcassonne, with a chance to cycle along the canal towards Bram and Villepinte and visit the red-roofed streets of these attractive towns, or perhaps take a more energetic option and head into the surrounding hills to visit the old Cathar castle of Chateaux de Lastours, nestling amongst the wild lands of the Orbiel Valley. Actually consisting of four defensive fortresses these are the northernmost citadels of the Cathars, built to protect the route between Carcassonne and Mazamet. Dominating the landscape of scrub, cypress and wildflowers that blanket the river valleys, these ancient keeps present a majestic and poignant reminder of a time when upheaval and religious intolerance blighted this tranquil countryside. Of course you may decide to explore the delights of Carcassonne itself, immersing yourself amongst its medieval remains and enjoying the unique delights of what is surely one of the most perfectly preserved towns of its kind anywhere in France. The city holds a wealth of delights, from the twin towers of the Porte Narbonnaise, to the spectacular Chateau Comtal in the heart of La Cite, whilst at the Basilique St-Nazaire you can find samples of some of the best medieval stained glass in the Midi. (The shortest ride will be 25km, the longest 60km. The terrain too will vary between flat or hilly, depending upon the route chosen)

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

 The tour ends in Carcassone this morning after breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast