Canal du Midi – Castles & Cathar Villages

Time to leave Carcassonne’s medieval castle behind you a while and cycle out to Lac de Cavayère. Don’t forget your swimming costume and towel for a swim in the lake. A picnic will also enhance the experience with maybe a bottle of something from the local vineyards. After a bask in the sun at the lake, the return allows for panoramic views of the citadel of Carcassonne.

Overnight in Carcassonne.

Miles: 13 Kms: 23

Get truly acquainted with the great Canal du Midi today as you hug it almost all the way to the ancient commercial harbour of Homps. It’s a day of shady plane trees and cypresses, vineyards and villages. Look out for Trèbes, the old Roman crossing of the Aude River for the military route from Carcassonne to Narbonne and wonder at the magnificent, more modern engineering of the many locks and canal ‘ architecture’ created between 1666- 1680 such as the fine Orbiel aqueduct. Your route parts company with the canal for a final stretch taking you through some small villages to the south on the way to your overnight in Homps, one of the most important former harbours on the ‘Canal des Deux Mers’ aka the Canal du Midi.

Overnight in Homps

Miles: 29 Kms: 46

It’s a bit of a climb (320m) – but honestly worth the effort. Take an optional circular ride today up to the ancient village of Minerve, built on a rocky spur above the Cesse and Brian gorges and renowned as one of France’s loveliest villages. It’s an exceptional geological site with the natural bridges of the Cesse Valley making for some awesome scenery. If you’d prefer to pedal out on flatter ground, there’s a refreshing option to the local lake or the nearby villages of Olonzac and Azillanet.

Overnight in Homps.

Miles: 23 Kms: 37

Pedal out alongside the Canal du Midi, following the boats and barges today to reach Le Somail. This village is home to a real slice of canal history, complete with storehouses, a chapel, humpback bridge and travellers’ rest all dating from the time of the great canal’s construction. A pedal push or two later, you steer off down another towpath, this time alongside the Canal de la Robine which leads to the historic city of Narbonne with its St Just cathedral, Via Domitia and smart 17th century houses.

Overnight Narbonne.

Miles: 28 Kms: 45

Heading for historic Béziers, it’s time to retrace your path along the Canal de la Robine before crossing the rural landscape from Sallèles-d’Aude to meet the Canal du Midi at Capestang where there’s a chance to visit the village’s fine collegiate church. Poilhes next, another village full of character, before continuing along to go over the canal’s famous Malpas Tunnel carved into solid rock. There’s a short hilly detour if you fancy it, carrying on up to the Ensérune Oppidum ,one of the region’s most renowned Gallic villages. The final shady stretch to the old town of Béziers includes the impressive series of nine locks known as the Fonserannes staircase lock.

Overnight in Béziers.

Miles: 33 Kms: 53

There’s time to admire the fortified façade and Romanesque crypt of St Nazaire cathedral which dominates old town Béziers before setting off towards the coast. Your route leads from the Canal du Midi out via villages and harbours into the open marshlands of the ‘des Orpeillières’ nature reserve, reminiscent of the Camargue with its horses, bulls and even flamingos. Pedal along the Mediterranean southwards past its beaches, and during the summer season (July and August) you can ferry it across the inlet to reach the popular beach resort of Valras-Plage. The cycle path leads via Serignan back to the Canal du Midi for your final overnight in Béziers.

Overnight in Béziers

Miles: 26 Kms: 42

Depart after breakfast , or take time to enjoy the Mediterranean flavours of historic Béziers. There are regional trains from Béziers back to Carcassonne if you wish.