Toulouse to Montpellier Canal du Midi Cycling Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Toulouse
You will arrive in Toulouse, check in at your hotel and collect your travel documents at reception.
Night and breakfast in a 3\* hotel.

Day 2: Toulouse – Castelnaudary (64 km; +50 m)
Your journey begins on the towpath of the Canal du Midi as you leave Toulouse behind. Little by little, the route will carry you into the peaceful landscapes of the Lauragais, past quiet villages, old locks and paths shaded by plane trees. You will reach Castelnaudary, the home of cassoulet and one of the most iconic towns on the canal. Take the time to explore it, and to taste this unmissable regional speciality.
Night and breakfast in a 3\* hotel.

_Optional extra day: Castelnaudary – Lake Saint-Ferréol – Castelnaudary loop (60 km; +300 m)_
With an extra night in Castelnaudary, you will leave the canal for a day and follow small country roads to Lake Saint-Ferréol. Built in the 17th century to feed the Canal du Midi, this vast reservoir is a key part of the canal's story. You will continue to Revel, a former bastide town known for its beautiful central market hall, before returning along country lanes to Castelnaudary.

Day 3: Castelnaudary – Carcassonne (43 km; +35 m)
You will follow the Canal du Midi on towards Carcassonne, through the gentle countryside of the Lauragais, small villages and the canal's iconic structures. Then the towers appear. Carcassonne is one of the great moments of the journey: its fortified medieval citadel, ringed by two walls and crowned by an imposing castle, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander its narrow streets and ramparts, and you will feel the Middle Ages close around you.
Night and breakfast in a 4\* hotel.

Day 4: Carcassonne – Homps / Olonzac (42 km; +45 m)
You will leave Carcassonne and ride on along the canal towards the Minervois. Vineyards and small villages will keep you company in the unhurried atmosphere typical of the Languedoc. As you approach Homps and Olonzac, the vines will slowly take over the landscape, until you reach one of these charming villages in the heart of the Minervois.
Night and breakfast in a charming guesthouse.

Day 5: Homps / Olonzac – Béziers (63 km; +104 m)
You will cross the wine country of the Minervois before rejoining the Canal du Midi. In Capestang, the remarkable Gothic collegiate church is worth a stop, and a short detour will take you up to the oppidum of Ensérune, an ancient Gallic site with sweeping views over the surrounding countryside. Next come the famous Fonseranes locks, one of the most impressive structures on the whole canal. The day ends in Béziers, where you can spend the evening exploring its rich heritage.
Night and breakfast in a 3\* hotel.

Day 6: Béziers – Sète (57 km; +20 m)
You will leave Béziers for Agde, where the historic centre and its cathedral of dark volcanic stone deserve a pause. From there, Mediterranean landscapes and shimmering lagoons will lead you to Sète, a lively port town. Take your time along its canals and harbour, and climb to one of its many viewpoints over the sea.
Night and breakfast in a 3\* hotel.

Day 7: Sète – Montpellier (50 km; +62 m)
On this final stage you will ride towards Frontignan and along the Canal du Rhône à Sète, with the Étang de Thau and the Mediterranean shoreline beside you. Closer to Montpellier, cycle paths will guide you gently into the city, through the natural landscapes of the Lez and its bird sanctuary. Your arrival in Montpellier closes a journey that weaves together heritage, vineyards and the light of the Mediterranean.
Night and breakfast in a 3\* hotel.

Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast.