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7 or 10 day Independent OR Escorted tour
The Canal du Midi is undoubtedly the most beautiful canal in Europe. It was built by Pierre Paul Riquet between 1667 and 1681 in order to link the Mediterranian to the Atlantic ocean. This idea had already been dreamt of by the Romans but was only carried out sixteen centuries later and even at that time was a considerable technological achievement.
Nowadays this calm restful waterway is lined on both sides by more than a 100,000 100-year-old trees. All along the 260 km / 160 miles of water located in the south of France, are 64 locks and authentic and varied landscapes such as the medieval walled town of Carcassonne.
Other equally fascinating sites will make pleasant stopping points on your trip between the sea-port of Sète and Carcassonne. Agde is well-known for its wonderful fortified Romanesque cathedral built in basalt, Béziers for its 2000-year-old Roman bridge, its cathedral and its canal bridge and Narbonne for its great gothic cathedral, its archibishop's palace and its Roman underground warehouses.
You can discover new places, breathe in nice odours, get some fresh air, look around you and feel relaxed on your bicycle and at the same time undertake an activity which is good for your mind and body. This promenade along the waters edge, away from traffic, will allow you to meet local people and other tourists and to appreciate the wonderful local cuisine.
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DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
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Day 1: Individual arrival in Sète
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Individual arrival and check in at the hotel.
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Day 2: Sète - Agde/Cap d'Agde (35 km)
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Ride along the beach road to Agde (visit the old town and the cathedral). Along the beach, you bike on field paths to Cap d'Agde, a lovely village with an old roman church.
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Day 3: Cap d'Agde - Béziers (30 km)
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On side roads and along the Canal du Midi, you reach the town of Béziers. Visit the old city and the cathedral.
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| Day 4: Béziers - Narbonne (50 km) |
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Visit Béziers, then via the bridge over the river Orb, you reach the 7 Fonséranes locks. Continue on side roads and field paths past the celtic oppidum of Ensérune and an imposing Gothic church in Capestang. You continue on little roads and paths through winefields until Narbonne.
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Day 5: Narbonne - Homps (45 km)
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In Narbonne, visit the old town and its famous anciant monuments like the archbishop's palace, gothic cathedral; then you ride along the Canal de la Robine and on little roads to the Canal du Midi, and then to the little village of Homps. You dine and stay at hotel on the canal bank.
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Day 6: Homps - Carcassone (50 km)
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Again, you follow the Canal du Midi until you reach the fascinating, historical city of Carcassone, the famous medieval walled town with its 2 circular walls and huge medieval fortress, the largest in Europe.
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| Day 7: Carcassone |
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Individual departure (return transfer to Sète available).
You may also lengthen your trip to the city of Toulouse, as follows:
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Day 8: Castelnaudary - St. Ferréol Lake - Castelnaudary (50 km)
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On small roads to the strategic point of the Canal project, the lake St. Ferréol built in the 17th century. Then to the medieval town of Revel with one of the nicest market halls of France. Back to Castelnaudary.
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Day 9: Castelnaudary - Toulouse (60 km)
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Always along the Canal du Midi and arrival in the heart of the very nice city of Toulouse.
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Day 10: Toulouse - Sète
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If you wish, back to Sète with train or our transfer car.
Individual departure or a few extra days in Toulouse, in Sète, or elsewhere (we can help you with this).
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PRICE & DETAILS
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Price & Schedule
INDEPENDENT TOUR
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DEPARTURE DATES:
Independent tours depart every Sunday from March 20 through October 23.
| Price per person |
CAD |
$1125 |
| Single Supplement |
$280 |
| High season supplement (July & August) |
$80 |
| Extra nights in Seté or Carcassonne (double occupancy) |
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$120 |
| Half-board option (6 x evening dinners) |
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$300 |
| Optional Electrobike |
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$90 |
| 3 day tour extension to Toulouse |
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$660 |
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| Included: |
- 7 nights accommodation in a double room with private facilities. The hotels we use on this tour are family run guesthouses and B&B's of 2.5 & 3 star standard.
- 6 nights accommodation in a double room with private facilities. The hotels we use on this tour are well located, family run hotels of good 3 star quality.
- 6 breakfasts.
- luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
- modern hybrid bicycle with 18 gears & pannier
- Detailed travel material, route guide, maps and descriptions of places of interest
- 7-Day Service-hotline
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Price & Schedule
ESCORTED TOUR
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DEPARTURE DATES:
TBA
| Price per person |
CAD |
$1695 |
| Single Supplement |
$280 |
| High season supplement (July & August) |
$80 |
| Extra nights in Sète or Carcassone (double occ.) |
$120 |
| Optional Electrobike |
$90 |
| 3 day tour extension to Toulouse |
$660 |
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Included:
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- 6 nights accommodation in a double room with private facilities. The hotels we use on this tour are family run hotels of good 3 star standard.
- breakfast AND 3-course dinner daily.
- experienced English speaking multilingual tour guide.
- luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
- entrance fees as per itinerary
- modern hybrid bicycle with 18 gears & pannier
- return bike transfer to Seté
- Detailed travel material, guides, and route descriptions of places of interest
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| Rate: |
EASY: Flat contour along the canal. You cycle mostly on dedicated cycle paths and some quiet country roads. Suitable for novices, families and experienced cyclists alike.
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| Airport / Transfers |
The nearest airport is Montpellier (30km distant) however it is quite small. There are no public buses, train or shuttles serving Montpellier Airport so a taxi into the city and then the 20 minute train to Sete.
Marseilles Airport is approx. 150km distant. Bus/rail transfers from Marseilles are available at $55.00 one way.
You may also take the TGV express train from Paris Airport directly to Sete (4 1/2 hours), at a cost of $140 one way. A taxi from Sete station to your hotel is about 10 euro.
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Tours 
