A new edition of cicerones popular cycling the canal du midi guidebook is out now. If the canal du midi cycle route is so appreciated despite its low infrastructure, its because the channel is a link between many jewels of the midi region. Between bram and beziers is probably the most picturesque portion of the canal du midi. Whether youre a lover of nature, culture or gastronomy, come to the canal du midi this varied site is perfect for you. The canal du midi runs for 240km from the river garonne at toulouse via carcassonne to the mediterranean at agde.
Starting at toulouse in the haute garonne and finishing at sete on the mediterranean coast, the route is divided into five stages of about 50km. The top 10 things to do near canal du midi, occitanie. Two families 4 adults and 4 children aged between 9 and 14 on a le boat magnifique starting in port cassafieres one way up to trebes. We pull off at a village to buy coffee at a more reasonable 2. It allows the libron river, near agde in southwest france, to traverse the canal du midi. The quietness of the hauling path, the swaying of the barges and the splashing of water of the canal du midi flavor your journey.
The canal du midi was originally an idea of the romans, but it was only built in the 17th century thanks to the genius of pierrepaul riquet. Some of the restaurant locations are a bit out of date now, but how can a paper book compete with websites such as tripadvisor. Sep 15, 2009 a useful companion to our trip on the canal du midi. Canal boating on the canal du midi, languedocroussillon. It was built in the 17th century at a time when france was the centre of civil engineering excellence. The canal du midi influenced all the canals that were to follow, for example the erie canal, the panama canal and the suez canal. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes along the canal du midi, explore its elaborate aqueducts, watergates and bridges, visit the historic cities of carcassonne, narbonne and minerve, and taste the delicious local cuisine. The canal du midi, designed and built by pierrepaul riquet in 16621681, is a remarkable work of engineering, justifying its inclusion in the unesco world heritage list in 1996, and one of the most popular cruising waterways in france. The canal du midi, a connection between the mediterranean and the atlantic. The largest european marina is located here and is a paradise for divers, surfers, and sailors. The comprehensive imray book click lefthand inland waterways of france and its accompanying map click righthand cover all the rivers and canals of france. It was the brainchild of pierrepaul riquet, a minor noble and tax collector, who succeeded in convincing louis xiv and more importantly, his first. Breathe in the relaxation and warmth and light of the mediterranean, as you navigate along the 300 year old canal du midi, meandering inland, lined with plane trees and cruise under superb arched bridges, linking ancient villages, miles of vineyards and roman fortifications. This colossal construction made a link between the atlantic ocean and the mediterranean sea, and required the work of.
Aug 04, 20 as you can imagine, while bicycling the canal du midi, i kept wondering why none of the cycling books that i had read before the trip had done anything to prepare me for the conditions that i found along the way. Books le site pratique du canal du midi et canal lateral. This segment includes carcassonne as well as numerous small towns and excellent side excursions. Cycling the canal du midi guidebook out now freewheeling. Travel by barge on the canal, or walk or cycle along side a tranquil waterway, connecting the atlantic ocean to the mediterannean sea. Canal du midi cruises sail through rolling countryside and canalside vineyards all under the dappled shade of plane trees lining the canal. Cycling the canal du midi by declan lyons, paperback barnes. About the canal du midi it was the british who pioneered canal boating on languedocs canals many decades ago, as the french have never taken to canal boating with quite the same gusto. Warm and wonderful just like its close neighbour, provence, this area of the languedoc offers superbly shady cycling along the tow paths and some real. Oct 08, 2017 guidebook for the canal du midi toulouse to sete section specialist outdoor publishers cicerone have released a full upated version of their popular cycling the canal du midi guidebook. After becoming acquainted with our bicycles, we cycle out along the canal du midi, crossing the river orb by aqueduct.
Information is also given on short detours to sights close to the canal, and longer excursions into the surrounding countryside. Cycling the canal du midi by declan lyons, paperback. The book also comes with a large fold out map that is one page high and 5 pages long. You ride along the canal du midi from carcassonne to the mediterranean sea. Midi canal, also called languedoc canal, french canal du midi or canal du languedoc, historic canal in the languedoc region of france, a major link in the inland waterway system from the bay of biscay of the atlantic ocean to the mediterranean sea. Few, if any publications on bicycling the canal du midi mention the drastic changing conditions of the towpath, often creating dangerous conditions for cyclists. Cycling the canal du midi guidebook out now freewheeling france. Home to flora and fauna, rural vistas, and lush vineyards, a canal du midi cruise features a romantic and idyllic waterway, perfect for luxury barging. Designed in the 17th century by pierrepaul riquet, the canal du midi, which has 64 locks interspersed along its length of nearly 240 kilometres, flows from toulouse in haute.
Canal du midi cycling european self guided bike tours. Aug 09, 20 few, if any publications on bicycling the canal du midi mention the drastic changing conditions of the towpath, often creating dangerous conditions for cyclists. Canal du midi detailed navigation guide and maps french. Top 6 places to visit while cruising on the canal du midi. The canal s 99 locks and bridges constitute an engineering marvel and its treelined tranquil beauty affords us an ideal opportunity to explore the delightful countryside of this part of southwest france. Sep 27, 2009 the canal du midi is probably the most popular canal in france. Across southern france from toulouse to sete 2nd revised edition by declan lyons isbn. Pdf cycling the canal du midi download full pdf book. Some of the restaurant locations are a bit out of date. The canal du midi one of the things to see in the languedocroussillon.
The canal du midi is probably the most popular canal in france. Canal du midi cruise, barge trips on the canal du midi. Cap dagde, at the mediterranean sea is your destination today. Its around 120 kilometers and you climb 32 locks including the 9 lock staircase at fonserannes. This is gorgeous, with vineyards and fruit farms either side. Jun 21, 20 the canal du midi to coast trip was provided by belle france 01580 214010. Every one will find in plaisance a lecluse the answers about locks, important sightseing, the waterways.
Designed in the 17th century by pierrepaul riquet, the canal du midi, which has 64 locks interspersed along its length of nearly 240 kilometres, flows from toulouse in hautegaronne to thau lake, near sete, in the herault. I am writing to you from perpignan about my plans for a canal which could be built in this province of languedoc to connect the atlantic ocean and the mediterranean sea. Even so, we did enjoy reading about some of the history around the canal too. Top 6 places to visit while cruising on the canal du midi in the south of france as the canal du midi celebrates its 350th birthday this year, it skirts the sundrenched shore of the mediterranean before meandering inland through the fabled. A guidebook to cycle touring along the canal du midi in the sunny languedoc region of southern france. A useful companion to our trip on the canal du midi. The canals 99 locks and bridges constitute an engineering marvel and its treelined tranquil beauty affords us an ideal opportunity to explore. Could it be that any of their authors had actually cycled the route.
The canal du midi was the result of the vision of one man, pierrepaul riquet, who in 1662 wrote to combert, minister of louis xiv. Southern france canal du midi bike tour france tripsite. The canal du midi to coast trip was provided by belle france 01580 214010. It shows the entire cycle route along the canal du midi. You can travel along the 240 km of its length by barge, or walking or cycling along side it and eating and drinking at various spots along it. The canal du midi was selected because of its importance as a mechanical and engineering advancement for humanity and also because of the way it is integrated into the landscape. Start the canal du midi guide at sete where the canal opens onto the mediterranean. Linking the bay of biscay with the mediterranean, it is not only renowned for its beauty and picturesque sights, it also performs the invaluable service of saving boaters the long and arduous trip. Map showing where the canal du midi boating region is in france. Philippe calas is the author of this original canal du midi cycling guide. Warm and wonderful just like its close neighbour, provence, this area of the languedoc offers superbly shady cycling along the tow paths and some real local colour at any time of the year.
The canal du midi is also a love affair of man, nature and engineering. A guide to cycle touring along the canal du midi in the sunny languedoc region of southern france. The canal du midi is the oldest working canal in the world, a magnificent feat of seventeenth century engineering once used for commerce, now for leisure. The book is tagged across southern france from toulouse to sete and it follows one of frances most popular bike routes. Top 6 places to visit while cruising on the canal du midi in the south of france as the canal du midi celebrates its 350th birthday this year, it skirts the sundrenched shore of the mediterranean before meandering inland through the fabled cathar country. View all attractions near canal du midi on tripadvisor. On the one hand, numerous books and articles describe the canal du midi as one of the best bicycle itineraries in france. The canal du midi is located in the south of france, in the departments of herault, aude, and hautegaronne. From here, sete is a 240km bike ride along the canal du midi. Cycling holidays along canal du midi, self guided bike. This amazing engineering project opened the way to new economies.
As you can imagine, while bicycling the canal du midi, i kept wondering why none of the cycling books that i had read before the trip had done anything to prepare me for the conditions that i found along the way. Linking the bay of biscay with the mediterranean, it is not only renowned for its beauty and picturesque sights, it also performs the invaluable service of saving boaters the long and arduous trip around portugal and spain to reach the med. Linking the bay of biscay with the mediterranean, it is not only renowned for its beauty and. There arent many books out there for boaters so i recommend it. Best part of canal du midi france lonely planet forum. Jul 30, 2017 a guidebook to cycle touring along the canal du midi in the sunny languedoc region of southern france.
There is less wind and what there is becomes a tail wind as we turn left onto the canal du midi and go back on ourselves a bit. At the point of intersection, the libron is more or less at the same level as the canal du midi so a traditional aqueduct was not an option. Constructing the canal du midi could be seen as a crazy idea. Hello, im about to book my first canal boat trip to the canal du midi in june very excited. Cycling holidays in the canal du midi area get a real taste for frances bestloved canal country including carcassonne, cathar castles and of course, that delicous local dish cassoulet. A total of six dams, 55 aqueducts, arched bridges and 63 locks were erected to channel some 90 million cubic metres of water. Begun in 1666 the canal du midi is one of the worlds most picturesque waterways and a world heritage site. Its course runs for 240 kilometres between marseillan, at a place. This guidebook describes a 240km cycle ride along the length of the canal du midi in southern france.
Canal du midi official website for tourism in france. Jun 15, 2009 a guide to cycle touring along the canal du midi in the sunny languedoc region of southern france. For french readers, cartovelo has the ouest france canal du midi guide, among others. Cycling along the canal du midi leads you past masterpieces of engineering like the lock of agde. A total of six dams, 55 aqueducts, arched bridges and 63 locks were erected to channel some 90 million cubic metres of water from the orb river, which flows through the black mountains and is notoriously difficult to. The 240km main canal route, and the 37km narbonne extension are described. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. I am writing to you from perpignan about my plans for a canal which could be. In the second of a twopart series, we cycle this the canal du midi. Canal du midi occitanie 2020 all you need to know before. It was the brainchild of pierrepaul riquet, a minor noble and tax collector, who succeeded in convincing louis xiv and more importantly, his first minister, colbert of the merits of linking the atlantic and the mediterranean via the garonne. During the morning cruise, bicycle or walk along the canal, or rest on deck. It was built in the 17th century at a time when france was the centre of civil engineering. Bookworms are invited to browse a unique book shop with approximately 50,000 secondhand books.