Midi canal by bike, from Toulouse to Narbonne

Cycling route between Toulouse and Narbonne

The Canal du Midi by bike is a must for cycle tourists, listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, it is an exceptionally rich historical and cultural heritage route between Toulouse, the medieval city of Carcassonne and Castelnaudary until Narbonne.

Highlights of the tour :

• Toulouse
• The medieval city of Carcassonne
• The Canal du Midi
• Castelnaudary
• Narbonne

Day 1: Arrival in Toulouse

Check into your hotel in the city center and discover the “Pink City.” Toulouse earned this nickname due to the use of "fairground" brick, typical of the Midi region. This brick adorns the facades in warm hues, ranging from soft pinks to vibrant oranges.

Overnight in Toulouse.

Day 2: From Toulouse to Castelnaudary (66 km)

Leave Toulouse and follow the canal's edge to reach Castelnaudary along a cycle path shaded by historic plane trees. As you ride, you'll pass the locks and cross the Seuil de Naurouze, a notable spot where the waters divide.

Overnight in Castelnaudary.

Day 3: From Castelnaudary to Carcassonne (44 km)

Begin this stage by following the Canal du Midi. As you near Sainte-Eulalie, the canal winds and curves, offering a scenic route This route takes you to the medieval city of Carcassonne. The architecture of this fortress is impressive. In summer it is very lively. On this cycle stage, you are no longer on the beautiful cycle path, the path is sometimes in poor condition.
Overnight in Carcassonne.

Day 4: Day of rest in Carcassonne

Enjoy a self-guided tour of Carcassonne, a true medieval gem. The city will take you back to the Middle Ages with its two 3-kilometer-long fortifications and 52 towers. Don’t miss the lower town, a medieval bastide that is also well worth a visit.

Overnight in Carcassonne.

Day 5: From Carcassonne to La Redorte (36 km)

This stage along the Canal du Midi offers a break in the long journey between Carcassonne and Narbonne. You’ll pass two aqueduct bridges, built to cross the Fresquel and Orbiel rivers, before reaching Trèbes, with its lively river port, canal-side cafés and restaurants, and the St-Etienne church nestled in the heart of the old village. The renowned Minervois vineyard is also nearby.

After the bad weather of 2018, some sections of the canal banks were affected and are now closed, but these have been replaced by an undeveloped greenway, making for a relatively rolling and easy stage.
Overnight in La Redorte.

Day 6: La Redorte to Narbonne (47 km)

The terrain is mostly flat, although some sections of the trail are in poor condition. However, mountain biking easily handles these challenges. This alternative route will take you to Narbonne in a short stretch via the junction canal to Sallèles-d'Aude. From there, you'll follow the road shared by Cuxac-d'Aude to reach the Canal de la Robine at the Raonel lock. Finally, continue to Narbonne along a beautiful, well-maintained and signposted greenway.

Overnight in Narbonne.

Day 7: Narbonne

The tour end after breakfast. You may choose to book additional nights if you wish. We can also arrange a train ticket back to Toulouse for your return journey.

General Information:

• 7 days and 6 nights
• Accommodation comfort level:
  • Standard version: 2/3* hotels and one night in a B&B.
  • Comfort version: 3/4* hotels and one night in a B&B.
• Child rates: Contact us

2026 dates:

• Departures daily from April 15th to October 15th
• High season in July and August

Included:

• 6 nights with breakfast
• Tourist taxes
• Luggage transport
• Access to our GPS app
• Breakdown assistance (except for flat tires)

Not included:

• Transportation to the departure point
• Personal expenses
• Visits other than those included in the program
• Anything not included in "included"

Options:

• Electric-assisted bike rental
• Half-board (4 dinners except in Toulouse and Narbonne)
• Additional night(s) at the beginning or end of the tour in Toulouse or Narbonne (upon request)
• Return by train from Narbonne to Toulouse
• Theft insurance for the rented bike
• Cancellation insurance

Level:
1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :
Flat, roads and rolling paths. Program with 90% of cycle paths. Some delicate passages, branches, grass, brambles, not recommended with a trailer or with a child under 12 years old. Following the bad weather of 2018, the towing of the canal was impacted between Carcassonne and Narbonne but accessible and pleasant variants have been put in place.

Weather :
Very shaded, mild sun, a little wind, pleasant temperatures.

Technicality:
36 to 64 km of hiking per day, or about 3 to 6 hours of cycling.
Easy to follow route, along the canals.

Bibliography:

• Bike guide on the Canal du Midi
• Bike guide on the Canal des 2 Mers 

Additional nights:
An additional night is bookable at the start and end of your stay in Toulouse or Narbonne.

Meals :
Breakfasts: generous (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, butter, bread, jam, orange juice) or buffet.
Lunches: not included
Dinners: Half-board option (4dinners), at the hotel or restaurant nearby. (Starter, main course, cheese or dessert).

The bike :

• Rental bicycle: If you rent a bicycle, it will be returned to you at the hotel. At the end of the tour, you will have to leave this bike at the last hotel and notify reception. We will take care of his return.
• Personal bike: We do not recommend bikes with small tires. Hybrid bikes and mountain bikes are excellent. Remember to check your bicycle before setting off. At the end of the tour, you will need to take care of your own bicycle.

Assistance:
Assistance in case of breakdown (except punctures for which we do not intervene).

Return :
We can book you a train ticket from Narbonne to Toulouse.

Luggage:
They are transported by a courier or by our team and limited to one piece of luggage by person (max. 20 kg).

Roadbook :

We will provide you with a travel booklet by e-mail and post before your departure, as well as access to our GPS application. We will also provide you with hotel and restaurant vouchers and luggage tags.

Transport :

• By train: TGV to Toulouse.
• By road: A10 and A62 motorways: Paris - Bordeaux - Toulouse (take direction city center when arriving in Toulouse)
• By plane: TOULOUSE BLAGNAC international airport

Cancellation insurance :
In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more about insurance, click here.