Cycling along the Canal du Midi, Southwest France
A week long trip through picturesque landscapes, pretty villages, historic churches and towering cypress trees of the southern Languedoc Roussillon region.
From £890pp (from £1120pp inc rail) based on 2 people sharing
Greentraveller's Travel Advice: Why not combine this exciting cycling tour with some of our eco-friendly recommendations in the Lot Valley: Spend the day relaxing and fishing on one of the many lakes, appreciate art inside the Pech Merle cave or explore the treetops from a zipline.
>> See our exclusive guide to Green Holidays in the Lot Valley.
Cycling Holiday along the Canal du Midi
Cutting through the beautiful landscape of the southern Languedoc Roussillon region is the incredible Canal du Midi, built by Pierre-Paul Riquet, Baron de Bonrepos, in the 17th century during the reign of King Louis XIV. Languedoc-Roussillon is famed for its balmy Mediterranean climate and the numerous excellent vineyards which thrive in the rolling countryside of charming villages, historic churches and towering cypress trees. Independent for many centuries, the locals speak a distinctive Provençal patois and defend their culture and heritage with pride and passion.
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 faster and more secure - 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 this a perfect spot for cycling.
The start point hotel Le Clos Mazerolles in Cruzy is set in the heart of a pleasant fertile valley. The pretty village of Cruzy is centred on its medieval church from where narrow cobbled streets lead out into the surrounding vineyards. Le Clos Mazerolles is a delightfully restored town house with cool airy rooms and a pleasant sun terrace on the roof. Dinner is included which can be taken round a communal table with other guests (there are only five rooms) or on the shady patio.
Traveller Reviews of This Trip
We felt that, as Inntravel guests, we were especially well-looked after and that this was reflected in the standard of rooms we were allocated. The hosts at each accommodation were charming and friendly. Mrs R Thomson, London, 28/06/2011
The bicycles were exceptionally good. We have cycled with Inntravel in the Dordogne and were very pleased indeed that the bicycles there were good and reliable but these ones were outstandingly good and very suitable for us. There was an excellent recommendation for an English-owned restaurant in Homps – that was a highlight, but we enjoyed the whole experience. We found Carcassonne a bit touristy and impersonal after the friendliness of the other hotels and places. Mrs SM McArthur, Orkney, 29/09/2010
For more reviews of this trip, see: Reviews of Cycling along the Canal du Midi
What price includes
- 7 nights' B&B in high quality hotels
- 3 dinners
- High-quality bicycle
- Luggage transported
- Route notes and maps
- visit fascinating Carcassonne
Location
Plan your journey by train
Meeting point:
Hotel Le Clos Mazerolles in Cruzy
Carcassonne
Transfer to meeting point:
Guests make their own way to meeting point
Take a taxi from Carcassonne train station to the start point hotel Le Clos Mazerolles in Cruzy (can be arranged through Inntravel at a cost)
How to get there:
Train from London to Carcassonne (via Paris)
Plan your journey by train
Finish point:
Hotel du Donjon et des Remparts in Carcassonne
Carcassonne
Transfer to finish point:
Guests make their own way to station
Take a taxi from end point Hotel du Donjon et des Remparts in Carcassonne to Carcassonne train station (can be arranged through Inntravel at a cost).
How to get back:
Train from Carcassonne to London (via Paris)
