France: Bordeaux to Carcassonne Canal Bike Tour
Seven nights; eight days of easy bicycling on traffic free canal pathways and secondary roads linking Bordeaux and Carcassonne.
“The Freewheeling company, and the tour guides did an excellent job. I was VERY pleased with the experience and will gladly recommend this tour company to my friends.” - Sue S.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Enjoy quiet, no-traffic bike paths along the Canal du Midi, surrounded by vineyards, historic villages, and tranquil countryside.
- Savor regional specialties such as the legendary cassoulet of Castelnaudary and explore vibrant markets and vineyards like the Fronton, famed for its unique Negrette wines.
- Visit Auvillar, one of France’s most picturesque towns, and discover the charm of Verdun-sur-Garonne with its 14th-century tower and medieval streets.
- Relax in handpicked accommodations, from châteaux to boutique inns.
- Conclude your journey in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Carcassonne.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.
A versatile route suitable for all ages and abilities, featuring daily distances under 70 km on predominantly flat terrain along and near the canal. The Bordeaux to Carcassonne Canal Bike Tour follows mainly paved canal paths, with occasional rougher sections and quiet country roads. Approximately 75% of the route is on no-traffic bike paths, except for the final day. Vehicle support is available at designated access points. Note that some inns and attractions are located off the canal, requiring brief rides on connecting roads.
Daily Distance:
- 1: Bordeaux to Les Esseintes ~57km (+591m / -507m).
- 2: Les Esseintes to Clairac ~63km (+402m / -441m).
- 3: Clairac to Agen ~55km (+292m / -287m).
- 4: Agen to Moissac ~53km (+352m / -336m).
- 5: Moissac to Toulouse ~76km (+328m / -245m).
- 6: Toulouse to Castelnaudary ~68km (+352m / -346m).
- 7: Castelnaudary to Carcassonne ~51km (+471m / -526m).
- 8: Farewell.
(Click image to enlarge)
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: InterContinental Bordeaux, 09:00, day one.
Finish: Carcassonne, 09:00, day eight.
Meal inclusions: Listed for guided trips only, please see dates & pricing section for accurate inclusions per support level.
Please contact us to arrange alternate meeting and departure plans, if necessary.
DAY 1:
Bordeaux to Les Esseintes ~57km (+591m / -507m).
Meet in Bordeaux for a short transfer to the outskirts of town, where you'll have an introductory briefing and bike fitting. The ride today includes gentle, rolling terrain with a gradual climb of about 100 meters/300 feet. Afterward, you'll stay at Les Esseintes, located near the fortified town of La Réole.
Meal Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner.
Maison Des Quatre Saisons, Les Esseintes.DAY 2:
Les Esseintes to Clairac ~63km (+402m / -441m).
Cross to the southern bank of the Garonne River in La Réole. You will have the chance to visit the 11th-century Chapel Tersac in Meilhan before descending to the Garonne’s lateral canal, your first of the trip. You may wish to leave the canal to visit villages perched above, such as Le Mas d'Agenais, a picturesque town with a lovely old wooden market hall.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Orangerie de Chateau Marith, Clairac.DAY 3:
Clairac to Agen ~55km (+292m / -287m).
Today's ride brings you through Vianne, the only bastide named after a woman, which is renowned for its glass-making heritage. Specialists in opal, crystal, and coloured glass craft exquisite pieces here. While a detour for those interested, it can be skipped for those preferring to stay on the main route. En route, you’ll also pass through Sérignac, where a stop to admire the 11th-century church’s fine altar and gilt-wood altarpiece is highly recommended.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner.
Chateau des Jacobins; or Hotel Quand La Ville Dort, Agen.DAY 4:
Agen to Moissac ~53km (+352m / -336m).
The ride from Agen offers plenty of rewarding sights. In nearby Donzac, you may wish to explore the renowned 'black wines' of Côtes de Brulhois, known for their rich color and body. A slight detour takes you to Auvillar, one of the most picturesque towns in rural France, offering perfect photo opportunities at its circular stone market. In Moissac, Rue Jean Moura boasts a range of shops where local artisans proudly display porcelain, lace, and paintings.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
Le Moulin de Moissac, Moissac; or Chateau Lavalade, Castelsarrasin.DAY 5:
Moissac to Toulouse ~76km (+328m / -245m).
Today's ride along the canals brings you to Verdun-sur-Garonne, a picturesque walled town with a 14th-century tower, accessible by a short detour away from the canal. Take time to relax over lunch at one of the charming cafés along the waterway as you head toward your evening destination. For those interested in regional wines, a visit to the Fronton vineyards, known for their unique Negrette grape, is highly recommended. Later, explore Toulouse, the 'rose-coloured city,' with its wide range of excellent dining options to choose from this evening.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
Hotel Albert 1er, Toulouse.DAY 6:
Toulouse to Castelnaudary ~68km (+352m / -346m).
Leaving Toulouse, you’ll follow the Canal du Midi through Montesquieu-Lauragais, renowned for its production of Pastel blue dye made from pressing flowers. Continue along the canal to the peaceful park in Montferrand, located at the Naurouze Sill, the watershed where water flows both to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. End your day in the charming village of Castelnaudary, where you can enjoy a traditional dinner featuring the region's legendary Cassoulet.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Maison Riquet; or Les Ordalies, Castelnaudary.DAY 7:
Castelnaudary to Carcassonne ~51km (+471m / -526m).
After breakfast, consider exploring the port of Castelnaudary before starting your final ride along the Canal du Midi, passing through picturesque villages en route to Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Self-guided guests can enjoy the city independently, while guided tours include a 90-minute walking tour of the fortified old town. Spend the evening exploring the cobbled streets or the lively lower town at your leisure.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
Tribe Carcassonne, Carcassonne.DAY 8:
Farewell.
Your Freewheeling Adventure concludes after a relaxed breakfast at your inn.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SELECT A DATE BELOW TO RESERVE, OR START A NEW DATE
2025 DATES:
2026 DATES:
Don't see what you want?
(Inclusions & pricing are listed below)
PRICING
Our tour costs are ALL IN, including fees & taxes.
Guided: C 5295 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 5 light picnic lunches, 4 dinners, van and guide support (2 guides on groups of 6 or more), route instructions, maps, guided walking tour of Carcassonne, luggage handling, hybrid bicycle rental, taxes.
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: C 4795 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, route instructions, maps, daily luggage transfers, on call support, hybrid bicycle rental, taxes.
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: Add C 1095
Tour cost excludes airfare and travel to and from the starting point, costs for activities listed as optional, bar and beverage bills, meals not shown as included, gratuities for your driver and/or guides.
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid: Included
Flat bars. Trek FX3 or similar.
Change to Road: C 250
Drop bars. Cube Attain GTC SL or similar.
Change to Gravel: C 250
Drop bars. Cube Nuroad Race or similar.
Change to E-bike: C 300
Flat bars. Cube Touring E-Hybrid or similar.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.
BEST TIMES
The south of France enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time to enjoy this tour is mid-May to mid-October.
- Spring daytimes warm up to 12 to 22 °C (55 to 72 °F) by mid May.
- Summers can be dry and hot. Mid June to mid August, is normally 15 to 30 °C (60 to 85 °F).
- Autumn, late August to mid October, daytimes 10 to 20 °C range (50 to 70 °F).
GET TO THE START
Fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). The TGV is France’s intercity high-speed rail service; connecting Paris with many cities throughout France, including Bordeaux. Charles de Gaulle Airport has a TGV terminal and many guests will board the train immediately upon arrival in France and travel directly to Bordeaux; the train takes about 2 ½ hours.
You may find flying directly into Bordeaux-Merignac Airport (BOD) a convenient option too. There is a 30-minute direct shuttle that will take you to the Bordeaux train station in the city centre.
AFTER THE FINISH
After the tour, train connections are available from Carcassonne to Toulouse, Bordeaux or Paris.
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day:
Bordeaux - The hub of the famed wine-growing region, Bordeaux is France’s sixth largest city and is the world’s largest urban World Heritage Site; with half the city (18 sq. km) being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can spend the day exploring the tree-shaded boulevards laced with hôtels particuliers (mansions) built for 18th-century wine merchants, visiting some of the many art museums of all periods and genres, and savouring the taste of southern France paired with exceptional wine lists.
We recommend the following accommodations in Bordeaux for before or after your tour; please let us know if we can assist with reservations:
• The Regent Grand Hotel Bordeaux
Carcassonne - Perched on a rocky hilltop and bristling with zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets, the fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children’s storybook when seen from afar. It is a wonderful place to explore and we recommend spending an extra day or two if your schedule will allow. The city of Carcassonne boasts 2500 years of history and is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites; the Historic Fortified City and the Canal du Midi.
We recommend the following accommodations in Carcassonne for after your tour; please let us know if we can assist with reservations:
• Hôtel De La Cité
• Domaine d'Auriac
• Hotel du Château
If you have several days:
Visiting France
France is a large and extremely varied country that is, thankfully, easily explored by a reliable rail network. Extend your trip on any one of our other tours in France, or go independently; the resources below might help!
• Lonely Planet’s “things-to-do” in France
• City guides for some of the best metropolitan areas in the country
MORE READING
In rural France you trace the Canal des Deux Mers – an ancient thoroughfare linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. In the Middle Ages, when transport over land was slow and dangerous, canals were constructed to ship wares all over Europe quickly and more effectively. Goods were placed on barges in the narrow waterways and then bow-hauled to their destinations by gangs of men on shore.
Although this method of transport is long gone, the remnants of these well traveled routes provide a thought-provoking counterpoint to modern life, especially when following the canal paths at a bicycle’s pace. The canals are dotted with locks, each one a tiny hub of activity for the cozy hamlets and rural communities surrounding them, and the well worn trails beside the canals are perfect for contemplative cycling.
Between Saint-Emilion and the fantastic medieval castle-town of Carcassonne the route is lined with vineyards is still considered one of the masterpieces of Louis XIV’s reign. On the way to Toulouse, you follow the Canal de Garonne - a secluded waterway reaching well into the heart of rural France and boasting hundreds of structures including locks, bridges, dams, and a tunnel.
Riding this route through appealing walled towns of the Midi-Pyrenees, each nestled among farms and vineyards, you will follow paths well suited to cycling. This bicycle tour will transport you away from the bustle of traffic, enjoying level terrain, lush and charming scenery, and peaceful gardens. We invite you to come and linger by the water’s edge.