French Bike Tours - Email: info@french-biketours.com - Telephone +33 (0)553242210 - WWW.FRENCH-BIKETOURS.COM
- Discover an authentic region, between vineyards and bastides, along the Canal de la Garonne
- Explore Bordeaux and discover its architecture dating from the 18th century and the Middle Ages
- Visit Toulouse, " the pink city ", and discover the famous Place du Capitole
- Taste the famous Bordeaux and Côtes de Bordeaux wines
- Savor the "terroir cuisine" of the Southwest
The Canal de la Garonne and the Canal du Midi used to be the shipping connection between the Atlantic ocean and the Mediterranean sea. Many peaceful routes run along this canal to explore the South-West. From Bordeaux to Toulouse, enjoy 7 days of cycling through vineyards, bastide towns and unspoiled countryside, along safe paths.
You will start your trip in the charming city of Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its streets, alleys and squares, each more charming than the last, and stroll along the quays of the Garonne. Bordeaux is known as the "wine capital" of France. Before leaving the city, sample the region's wines (Saint-émilion, Pomerol, Fronsac...) and visit the "Cité du vin" with its restaurant offering panoramic views over the city.
The Canal de la Garonne will be your guide through the South-West, taking you to Toulouse, also known as "The pink city", where you will discover the famous Place du Capitole. We advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to visit the beautiful city of Toulouse.
Savour the local cuisine of the South-West: try the famous cannelé in Bordeaux, a small ‘cake’ recognizable by its cylindrical shape, flavoured with rum and vanilla; and eat a traditional cassoulet in Toulouse: a must when exploring the city...
If you would like more inspiration, check out this article: 5 best cycling routes in France
Check out our video to discover Bordeaux :
We offer several possibilities for cycling along the Canal des 2 Mers by bike, with different durations and stages. Discover all our trips: here.
| Day 1 | Arrival in Bordeaux | |
Today you travel to Bordeaux by train, plane or car and settle in at your comfortable centrally-located hotel. Easy connections using public transport (tram or shuttle) are available. Be sure to get there early to leave time to explore Bordeaux, a very pleasant town on the banks of the River Garonne.
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| Day 2 | Bordeaux - Cadillac/Podensac | |
After breakfast your cycling adventure starts! Your first days route takes you quickly out of town, via a cycling path on the right bank of the Garonne. In Latresne you turn north, following a disused railway track. At the Romanesque abbey in La Sauve you turn southward on quiet tarmac lanes to reach the town of Cadillac. Challenge: 47.9km, 725m ascent, 651m descent
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| Day 3 | Cadillac - Meilhan-sur-Garonne | |
You start off again today on winding inland lanes, to avoid the busy road between Cadillac and Saint Macair. You will have to do some ascents, but a rewarding landscape awaits: impressive estates, vineyards and tiny typically-French villages. After a visit to the Bastide de St Macair, you cross the Garonne to the beginning of "la véloroute des Deux Mers" - your cycling route "between two seas". Accommodation tonight at a charming chambre d'hôtes in Meilhan-sur-Garonne. Challenge: 44.8km, 326m ascent, 280m descent
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| Day 4 | Meilhan-sur-Garonne - Agen | |
Today you follow the Canal de la Garonne, cycling on the flat from Meilhan-sur-Garonne all the way to Agen. Enjoy the shade of ancient plane trees and take time to make small detours along the way. Savour a cup of coffee in the beautiful village square in Damazan, with its fortress and historic arcades. Another stop could be Tonneins, worth the 10km detour for its lovely square on the banks of the Garonne and a wide choice of restaurants, cafés and shops. Challenge: 69.8km, 159m ascent, 161m descent
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| Day 5 | Agen - Moissac | |
After leaving the city of Agen, you will continue along the canal to Valence d'Agen, this is another beautiful town, with curious round washhouses. Your last section is peaceful once again, as you fully enjoy the scenery on your way to the historic town of Mossaic, a UNESCO world heritage site and important stop on the "Chemin de Saint Jacques" arriving from Geneva, with the 11th-century Abbey of St Pierre and its stunning cloister. Challenge: 47.1 km, 96m ascent, 77m descent
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| Day 6 | Moissac - Toulouse | |
Via the beautiful Pont-Canal du Cacor you cross the river Tarn and reach Castelsarrasin with its small port and 13th century Abbey of Belleperche. In the shade of old plane trees you now follow an uninterrupted, quiet track towards the centre of Toulouse. The last kms as you arrive in this ‘pink’ town are somewhat noisier. There’s a lot to see on the way: the water slope in Montech, the special Ponts-Jumeaux and the junction of 3 canals. After Grisoles with its brick houses you reach the historic Castelnau-d’Estrétefonds. From here you can, if you wish, cover the last 25 km of this ‘Canal de la Garonne’ route by train. Challenge: 69.7km, 113m ascent, 31m descent
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| Day 7 | Departure from Toulouse | |
End of your trip after breakfast. We advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to visit the beautiful city of Toulouse, "la Ville Rose".
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Starting dates:
Daily from April 01 till October 31
Of course you can also book extra night(s) during the trip. We can give you these prices on request. Please mention where you would like to add extra night(s).
6 Nights included
2*/3* and 4* hotels or B&Bs
Breakfasts and 1 dinner included during the trip (day 3)
Maps and tourist information on all the places of interest
24/7 Bilingual Emergency hotline
Luggage transport to your next accommodations. Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (20 kg maximum)
For time tables and further information check the website of SNCF or rome2rio for all French National trains (SNCF).
We strongly advise you to download the sncf mobile app prior to departure.
If you want to travel on a train with your bike, you can find more information via this link.
Parking information on request
We will supply the directions of this trip with a personalized code which gives you access to our travel App.