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RIDE ALONG THE FAMOUS CANAL DU MIDI / FROM TOULOUSE TO AGDE
The
Canal du Midi is the oldest working canal in the world, a magnificent
feat of seventeenth century engineering once used for commerce, now for
leisure. You can cycling
along side it (and eating and drinking at various spots along it). In
the Languedoc-Roussillon, it passes through the Aude
département and the Hérault
département. The Canal is a beautiful and tranquil waterway,
connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, much admired
by
everyone who sees it. Those who know its history find it even more
impressive.
Today, it is one of several World Heritage sites in the Languedoc. It
was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985, qualifying under
four seperate crieria including the first, the category "... a
masterpiece of human creative genius". One of the
most enjoyable ways to explore the Canal is by cycling along
the shaded
towpaths.
The
‘Canal du midi’ offers you all its numerous
architectural treasures and cultural ones : amazing civil engineering
structures, Cathares vestiges… It’s also the
occasion of meeting with numerous house-boats and its inhabitants in a
country of ‘art de vivre’. Landscapes of vineyards,
countryside, pine and olive trees will rhythm your stay. So let's join
us !
This trip is a non-guided, baggage transfer trip. If you wish to hire a guide, please contact us.
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 CASTELNAUDARY
- CARCASSONNE
City
of great heritage,take time to visit all the numerous testimonies of
its rich past :St Sernin church
which is the biggest Roman church in the world, the
‘Capitole’square etc… keep
the eyes opened to admire all the details of architecture.
 CASTELNAUDARY
- CARCASSONNE
‘The
pink city’ famous for its numerous brick
constructions, opens the doors of the ‘Canal du
Midi’. Then, you will start your stage by crossing
the‘Lauragais’
country with its numerous
farms where ducks and gooses enjoy a peaceful life, swimming and
disturbing cyclists along the canal. Moreover, it is also a land of
well being and
gastronomy. Then, Castelnaudary, famous for its
‘Cassoulet’ , will welcome you and
invite you to taste its local cuisine.
Ride
distance: 60km
 CASTELNAUDARY
- CARCASSONNE
In the heart of Cathare country,
discover the manifold testimonies of their crusades all along your
stage, they will guide you towards Carcassonne impressive
medieval city. Classified
as world heritage by UNESCO, you can admire one of the most
beautiful fortification of Europe.
Ride
distance: 45km
 CARCASSONNE
- HOMPS
Between Aude river and the canal, your stage continue at the stream
rhythm, punctuated with pine and plane trees always offering a fresh
environment. Each village hide a treasure to discover ; by this way do
not forget to visit the canal bridge of Orbiel
and the stone spillway of Argendouble
Ride
distance: 45km
 HOMPS
- NARBONNE
Cross charming and typical small villages as Paraza Le
Somail. Then, leave the canal du Midi to follow another one
‘Canal de la
Robine’, and
reach Narbonne.
At this point you will have the possibility to enjoy amazing buildings
as ‘the
7 lockes’ in Salleles d’Aude
and the bridge ‘pont des
marchands’
in Narbonne.
Ride
distance: 45km
 NARBONNE
- BEZIERS
Start your day along the
‘Canal de la Robine’ to
reach ‘Canal du midi’ on a route boarded by olive
trees and vineyards. A stop must be done at Malpas tunnel,
an exceptional site composed of 3 levels : the canal, a railway and a
third way. The ‘oppidum’
of Enserune classified as
world heritage by Unesco is also a wonderful point of view. Before
arriving in Bezier, other curiosities are waiting for you, as the
‘9
staircase’in Fonserannes and the canal bridge.
Ride distance:
50km
 BEZIERS - AGDE
Let’s go to
the Mediterranean beaches
! The canal guides you to iodized and pine trees fragrances. A
Mediterranean and
seaside atmosphereis
waiting for you in Agde
Ride
distance: 30km
 AGDE
End of the tour,
depart.
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