Cycling the Canal du Midi

Declan Lyons brings a lifelong passion for cycling and touring to this guide. As a teenager in the 1960s, he explored the wilds of Connemara on a rusty three-speed Rudge bicycle. Since then, he has toured extensively in Ireland and further afield. He has cycled throughout France including regular trips from the Channel to the Mediterranean. Declan now lives next to the Canal du Midi, where he has spent the past decade exploring its history, culture and wildlife - accompanied by his wife, son and fellow bike enthusiasts.

Map key
Overview map
INTRODUCTION
Regions of the canal
History
Wildlife
Culture
Cycling the Canal du Midi
When to go
Getting there and getting around
Accommodation
Food and drink
Your bike
What to take
Cycling the towpath
Health and safety
Weather
Maps
Money and communications
Using this guide
THE CANAL DU MIDI
Stage 1 Toulouse to Port Lauragais
Stage 2 Port Lauragais to Carcassone
Excursion 1 From Criminelle lock to St-Ferr&##xe9;ol reservoir
Stage 3 Carcassone to Homps
Excursion 2 From Tr&##xe8;bes to Lastours
Excursion 3 From Homps to Minerve
Stage 4 Homps to B&##xe9;ziers
Excursion 4 To Narbonne and Port la Nouvelle
Stage 5 B&##xe9;ziers to S&##xe8;te
Excursion 5 To Vendres salt lagoon
Excursion 6 Across Portiragnes marshes to S&##xe9;rignan
Appendix A Stage planning tables
Appendix B Accommodation
Appendix C Useful information
Appendix D English-French glossary
Appendix E Further reading