TODAY'S EXCHANGE RATE
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1.00 |
USD 
1.33 |
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Bicycling along France's historic canal
Canal du Midi: Sète to Carcassone |
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| Type: |
Self-Guided/Guided
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| Level: |
Leisure
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| Duration: |
6 nights |
| Distance: |
26 miles/day average |
| Departure Dates: |
Self-Guided: Sundays 3/21 through 10/24/2010
(Special dates for groups of 4 or more.)
Guided: Sundays 3/28, 4/11, 4/25, 5/9, 5/23, 6/6, 6/20, 7/4, 7/18, 8/1, 8/15, 8/29, 9/12, 9/26, 10/10 and 10/24/2010
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| Base Price: |
Self-Guided: €800
Guided: €920
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| Start City: |
Sète, France |
| End City: |
Carcassone, France |
TODAY'S EXCHANGE RATE
EUR 1.00 |
USD 1.33
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| Description
| Daily Program | Services
| Dates |
Price | Travel Information | Tour Operator
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 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 Mediterranean to 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 situated in the South of France and the 64 locks, you will come accross authentic and varied landscapes. You will come across such exceptional places of touristic interest 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 archbishop's palace and its Roman underground warehouses.
There are also numerous villages (typical of the South of France) spread out the whole way along your trip. 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 water 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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| Daily Program |
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Day 1: Sète
Individual arrival.
Day 2: Sète - Agde/Cap d'Agde (approx. 35 km/22 miles)
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.
Day 3: Cap d'Agde - Bèziers (approx. 30km/19 miles)
On side roads and along the Canal du Midi you reach the town of Beziers. Visit the old city and the cathedral.
Day 4: Bèziers - Narbonne (approx. 50 km/31 miles)
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 vineyards until Narbonne.
Day 5: Narbonne - Homps (approx. 45 km/28 miles)
Narbonne (visit the old town and its famous ancient 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.
Day 6: Homps - Carcassone (approx. 50 km/31 miles)
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.
Day 7: Carcassonne
Individual departure (return transfer available).
Or you can lengthen your trip until Toulouse:
Day 7: Carcassonne – Castelnaudary (approx. 50 km/31 miles)
You follow always the Canal du Midi, discover new villages and arrive in Castelnaudary.
Day 8: Castelnaudary – St. Ferréol lake - Castelnaudary (approx. 50 km/31 miles)
On little roads and pathes to the heart of the Canal project, the St. Ferréol lake in the black mountains (Montagne Noire), discover new villages like Revel with one of the nicest covered markets of France and back to Castelnaudary.
Day 9: Castelnaudary – Toulouse (approx. 60 km/34 miles)
Always along the Canal du Midi and arrival in the heart of the very nice town of Toulouse.
Day 10: Departure
Individual departure or extension (return transfer available).
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Self-Guided:
Accommodations in hotels or inns, with private bathrooms
Breakfast or breakfast buffet
3-course dinner
Luggage transport from hotel to hotel (1 suitcase up to 50 pounds, 1 carry-on bag)
Detailed route guidance
Detailed travel material (route maps, route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers)
Marked route with France Bike signs
Service hotline
Guided:
Skilled and informative tour leader riding with the group
Accommodations in hotels or inns (generally 3-star, with private bathrooms)
Breakfast or breakfast buffet
A 3-course evening meal
Luggage transport from hotel to hotel (1 piece per person)
Admissions and tours according to the program
Detailed tour descriptions
Detailed travel material
Marked route with France Bike signs
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Self-Guided: Sundays 3/21 through 10/24/2010
(Special dates for groups of 4 or more.)
Guided: Sundays 3/28, 4/11, 4/25, 5/9, 5/23, 6/6, 6/20, 7/4, 7/18, 8/1, 8/15, 8/29, 9/12, 9/26, 10/10 and 10/24/2010
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Self-Guided:
Double room: €800
Single supplement: €180
3rd person in room (regardless of age): €670
High season surcharge (July/August): €50
Bike rental: €90
Electrically assisted bike: €155
Tandem: €200 (per tandem)
Helmet: €5 (please note on form at time of booking)
Extension to Toulouse:
Double room: €370
Single supplement: €60
Bike rental: €51
Tandem: €102 (per tandem)
Additional nights:
Double room: from €70
Single room: from €95
Transfer back to tour start: France-Bike car can pick you up for €35 from Carcassone and €60 from Toulouse.
Guided:
€985 (4-7 tour participants)
€180: Single supplement
€790: 3rd person in room (regardless of age)
€50: High season surcharge (July/August)
Discount (8 or more participants): €65
Bike Rental: €90
Electrically assisted bike: €155
Tandem: €200 (per tandem)
Helmet: €5 (please note on form at time of booking)
Extension to Toulouse (not guided):
Double room: €370
Single supplement: €60
Bike rental: €51
Tandem: €102 (per tandem)
Additional nights:
Double room: from €70
Single room: from €95
Transfer back to tour start: France-Bike car can pick you up for €35 from Carcassone and €60 from Toulouse.
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Nearest Airports: Montpellier or Bèziers-Vias or Toulouse (if you lengthen your trip). Or fly via Paris and take the TGV high-speed train.
Train ticket to return from Carcassone to Sète €25, or France-Bike car can pick you up for €35 (parties of at least 4).
Transfer from Toulouse to Sète €60.
Hotel garage ca. €9 per day (payable at hotel)
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the tour company. Book this tour by clicking on "Book Trip" button below, or contact us for help planning your tour.
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