This stage is packed with surprises. The 17th-century Tunnel de Malpas draws the attention, built as Europe’s first-ever navigable canal tunnel. On the hill above, visit the impressive vestiges of a pre-Roman, Celtic settlement, the Oppidum d’Ensérune. From here, look down on the amazing pattern of the dried-out circular lake of Montady, originally dug by medieval monks. Then admire the extraordinary nine locks of Fonsérannes and the splendid canal-bridge over the Orb River with magnificent views up to historic Béziers.
The route
The track along the towpath is not specially laid out for cyclists and is rough in patches.
Off the route
Just 2km away from this stage, Nissan-lez-Ensérune is one much-appreciated stopping place, but the very lively port of Colombiers makes another tempting option for a stop.
Gares SNCF
Béziers train station:
TER regional trains and Intercités trains serve > Narbonne/Carcassonne/Toulouse/Bordeaux; Agde/Sète/Montpellier (many trains daily); Avignon/Marseille (3 to 4 trains daily); Millau/Rodez/Clermont-Ferrand
Connections at Montpellier for Lyon/Paris; Nîmes/Alès/Clermont-Ferrand.
Tourist offices
They did it!
1000 km à vélo à travers le sud de la France
De La Rochelle à Avignon en 10 jours
Travellers’ reviews