Cyclists on the Canal du Midi greenway by bike to Poilhes
Le Canal des 2 mers à vélo - J. Damase

The Canal du Midi by bike from Carcassonne to the Mediterranean Sea

Cycle from Carcassonne to the sea along the Canal du Midi

Passing at the foot of the magnificent medieval fortified city of Carcassonne, this section of the Canal du Midi à Vélo then takes you along a route dotted with remarkable canal constructions to admire, especially when watching boats using them. A splendid additional route leads along the Canal de la Robine to the former Roman capital of Narbonne. This route ends with a surprising way through big coastal lakes to Port-la-Nouvelle, where it reaches the Mediterranean.

Ouvrages d'art sur le canal du midi

The engineering structures of the Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi and the Canal de la Robine bear witness to the ingenuity of those who designed them. The hydraulic structures are all curiosities to be discovered along this cycle route. A hydraulic spillway built by Vauban (Le Redorte) which still regulates the overflow of the structure; the Malpas tunnel, which was the first navigable tunnel in history... The 9 locks at Fonsérannes are the most spectacular engineering feat on the Canal du Midi, both in terms of the number of locks and the height difference covered: 21.50 m over a length of 300 m.

Pénichette sur le Canal du Midi quittant le port du Somail
Le Canal des 2 mers à vélo - J. Damase

The charming village of Le Somail

The atmosphere in Le Somail is most pleasant. Preserved since its construction in the 17th century, it features a chapel, a remarkable ice house and the old inn buildings. Today, the hamlet is home to a surprising library specialising in antique books.

Fin du Canal du Midi à l'étang de Thau vers Marseillan
Le Canal des 2 mers à vélo - J. Damase

Oysters, wine and swimming!

The Canal du Midi ends its journey at the Étang de Thau. The route continues between the lagoon and the Mediterranean Sea as far as Sète, where there are plenty of opportunities for a swim. A tasting of shellfish accompanied by a Muscat de Frontignan will be the perfect reward for this cycling weekend.

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Map of the cycle route

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Map of the cycle route

Carcassonne / Marseillette

21 Carcassonne / Marseillette

22 km
1 h 28 min
I cycle often
Not one, but two bridge-aqueducts were needed to cross the Fresquel and Orbiel Rivers to reach Trèbes, with its lively port, its canal-side cafés-restaurants and its church of St-Etienne, in the heart of the historic village. The Minervois area and its reputed vineyards lie just a short cycle ride away from the Canal du Midi here.
Marseillette / Homps

22 Marseillette / Homps

18 km
1 h 13 min
I cycle often
This stage is dotted with admirable technical feats, in particular the astonishing hydraulic overflow facility designed for the Canal du Midi at La Redorte by the great 17th-century engineer Vauban. Homps, an historic wine-exporting port, is very lively, with many shops, and a bit of a shock after the sleepy atmosphere along much of the canal. Here you find yourself in the heart of the Minervois area. Close to Homps, Jouarres Lake offers you the possibility of going bathing.
The Canal du Midi by bike : Homps / Le Somail

23 The Canal du Midi by bike : Homps / Le Somail

20 km
1 h 19 min
I cycle often
A string of wine-making villages, Argens-Minervois, Roubia, Paraza and Ventenac-en-Minervois, congregate here beside the Canal du Midi, calling for your attention! Le Somail’s port was where the canal’s designer, Pierre-Paul Riquet, calculated that the post barge should stop for the couchée, or sunset, on the third day of its trip from Toulouse. Now, Le Somail is one of the canal’s most attractive stops, a picture-postcard village with its port, chapel, canal-side accommodation and amazing antiquarian bookshop.
Le Somail / Capestang

26 Le Somail / Capestang

23 km
1 h 31 min
I cycle often
It’s a wrench leaving enchanting Le Somail. Although the port of Sète is a long way off, this is just a short stage to Capestang, signalled by the bell tower of St-Félix Church, which guides you to this village’s central square, where you can enjoy a rest in the shade of the plane trees.
Capestang / Béziers

27 Capestang / Béziers

21 km
1 h 19 min
I cycle often
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.
Béziers / Agde

28 Béziers / Agde

26 km
1 h 37 min
I cycle often
From the port at Béziers, the Canal du Midi à Vélo cycle route heads east towards the Mediterranean. You might halt briefly at Villeneuve-lès-Béziers or at Portiragnes before arriving at the Pont de Roque Haute. From here, Portiragnes Beach lies very close by and you can reach it easily for a refreshing dip in the Med! Further on, the mobile bridge built to control the River Libron and the round lock at Agde are extraordinary curiosities.
Agde / Sète

29 Agde / Sète

25 km
1 h 36 min
I cycle often
The town of Agde, with its ancient roots and black basalt architecture, is a startling place. Its soaring church tower looks down on the Hérault Estuary. You’re now reaching the very end of the Canal du Midi à Vélo cycle route, which finishes by the massive Etang de Thau coastal lake and Les Onglous Lighthouse at Marseillan-Plage resort. From here, the superb Lido greenway runs alongside the Mediterranean up to the great port of Sète. Stop for a dip at any point!