Cycling the Canal du Midi - Across southern France from Toul - Cicerone Press

The Canal du Midi in Frances sunny southern Languedoc is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It meanders through lush countryside rich in history and culture and offers the cyclist flat, car-free paths for a comfortable pedal as well as access too tougher excursions in the nearby hills and mountains.

Ideal for planning a cycling holiday, English-speaking residents of the region who want to explore or anyone passing through on the canal who wants to stretch their legs a little.

Describes the main canal (240 km) and its Narbonne extension (37 km), with excursions to the Cathar strongholds of Minerve and Lastours, the canals water source in the Montagne Noire and the lagoons and marshes in the Aude and Orb delta.

Highlights cities and towns such as Toulose, Carcassonne, Beziers and Sete, and gives practical information about accommodation, cycle shops, markets and festivals along the route.

This guidebook describes a 240km cycle ride along the length of the Canal du Midi in southern France. Starting at Toulouse in the Haute Garonne and finishing at Sète on the Mediterranean Coast, the route is divided into five stages of about 50km. It is a flat, car-free and picturesque route mainly on the towpath, and is suitable for all abilities.

The guide is written for those who want to explore the canal and visit attractions along the way. There are lots of optional detours to sites of interest near the canal, as well as six longer excursions including fortified Carcassone, Roman Narbonne, Vendres lagoon and the Portiragnes marshes. Detailed route descriptions are crammed with additional information about points of interest passed, and 1:200,000 scale maps clearly show the route for each stage of the way.

Begun in 1666 the Canal du Midi is one of the world's most picturesque waterways and a World Heritage Site. This is 'La France Profonde', a region rich in history and culture, as seen in the grand homes and chateaux that grace the water's edge, and the fascinating Cathar strongholds of Carcassone, Lastours and Minerve.

tage 1 Toulouse to Port Lauragais
Stage 2 Port Lauragais to Carcassone
Excursion 1 From Criminelle lock to St-Ferréol reservoir
Stage 3 Carcassone to Homps
Excursion 2 From Trèbes to Lastours
Excursion 3 From Homps to Minerve
Stage 4 Homps to Béziers
Excursion 4 To Narbonne and Port la Nouvelle
Stage 5 Béziers to Sète
Excursion 5 To Vendres salt lagoon
Excursion 6 Across Portiragnes marshes to Sérignan.

he route is split in 5 stages.