Cycling the Garonne Canal: From Bordeaux to Toulouse in stages

The Garonne Lateral Canal is the smaller sibling of the Canal du Midi. Completed in 1856, it stretches 193 km and features 143 engineering structures: 53 locks, 83 bridges, and 3 aqueducts! In the late 2000s, greenways began to take shape along the towpath. Today, they are perfectly maintained and allow for worry-free cycling.

The Garonne Canal by Bike in Brief

The Garonne Canal by Bike route in figures:

• 270 km of cycling route connecting Bordeaux to Toulouse
• 100% of the route is signposted, in both directions
• 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites are located on or near the Garonne Lateral Canal, including:
  • The Canal du Midi, a proud extension that begins in Toulouse
  • The Basilica of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse
  • The Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques in Toulouse
  • Moissac Abbey
  • The Port of the Moon in Bordeaux (the largest urban area listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
  • Saint-Émilion and its wine-growing cultural landscape
• It took 17 years to complete the project, two years longer than it took to build the Canal du Midi two centuries earlier.

The Step-by-Step Route from Bordeaux to Toulouse

At La Bicyclette Verte, we offer you a Our own breakdown of the Garonne Canal by bike into stages. This guarantees an optimized itinerary. The official website offers other alternatives.

From Bordeaux to Camiran

This first stage begins in the Entre-deux-Mers region and on the beautiful Roger Labépie cycle path. Visit Créole, then Sauveterre-de-Guyenne and its medieval town before reaching Camiran for the night.

From Camiran to Tonneins

At La Réole, cross the Garonne River to reach the canal at Fontet. You (almost) only have to follow the towpath to reach Toulouse. Before arriving in the Pink City, enjoy the treasures this stage offers: lovely viewpoints, charming villages, and a masterpiece by Rembrandt, "Christ on the Cross," displayed simply in the church of Mas d'Agenais.

From Tonneins to Agen

A beautiful architectural and cultural heritage illuminates this stage: the half-timbered houses of Damazan, the wine-growing village of Buzet-sur-Baïse, the longest canal bridge in France (600 m), not forgetting Agen and its charming historic center.

From Agen to Castelsarrasin

Don't miss Moissac Abbey. Its cloister and church are absolutely magnificent. You might encounter hikers, as the Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago) passes through here. Take the Cacor canal bridge to continue towards Castelsarrasin, a charming town with its marina and historic buildings.

From Castelsarrasin to Toulouse

This final stage takes you through fortified towns (bastides), Occitan villages, and tranquility before reaching the vibrant city of Toulouse. The Brienne Canal connects with the Canal du Midi. In Toulouse, soak up the atmosphere, visit the must-see sights, and stroll along the banks of the Garonne River.

The Garonne Lateral Canal, the Canal des 2 Mers, and related routes

The Garonne Canal extends the Canal du Midi towards the Atlantic Ocean. Together, they form the Canal des 2 Mers by bike, a 750 km route connecting Sète to Royan. In Toulouse, you can switch to the Canal du Midi towards Carcassonne and Sète. In Bordeaux, the Vélodyssée (EuroVelo 1) opens the route to the Atlantic Ocean and the Arcachon Basin, while the Tour de Gironde by bike invites you to cycle around the Gironde estuary and the Médoc region. The route also intersects the Scandibérique (EuroVelo 3), which connects Trondheim to Santiago de Compostela via Agen and Moissac.

All-Inclusive Cycling Holidays on the Garonne Canal

Our flagship holiday, "Cycling the Garonne Canal, from Bordeaux to Toulouse" (from €999), takes you on a 193 km journey along the canal, discovering 53 locks, the wash houses of Valence d'Agen, the UNESCO-listed Moissac Abbey, and the Pink City. Luggage transport, carefully selected accommodations, easy level.

Craving hills and perched villages? Opt for "Cycling the Lot Valley, from Agen to Cahors" in 6 days (€909) or 7 days (€1,029). You'll follow the canal between Agen and Buzet before heading up the Lot River. The itinerary includes (among other things): vineyards, some of France's most beautiful villages, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, and the Valentré Bridge.