Trip duration: 12 days
Difficulty: Easy

Day 1: Registration and Welcome Dinner
Meet the VeloTours team at our booth in the Toulouse train station. We will escort you to the hotel and after settling in, join us for a trip briefing and welcome dinner in the heart of downtown Toulouse!

Day 2: Stage: Toulousse-Castelnaudary. Trip distance: 54 kms. Elevation gain: 0 m.
We start our ride along the unforgettable Canal du Midi, UNESCO World Heritage Site, to arrive into the port of Castelnaudary,  the world capital of the famous cassoulet, a delicious dish cooked in its own earthenware pot we won't forgo sampling, preferably in its au canard variety!

Day 3: Stage: Castelnaudary-Carcassonne. Trip distance: 35 kms.  Elevation gain: -20 m.
Continuing our bike ride along the Canal we arrive to the beautiful medieval city of Carcassone, fortress, castle, and all (UNESCO World Heritage Site)! Take the afternoon to explore the colorful soap and candy shops inside the fortress, stroll by the ramparts or take a walk across the bridge into the modern side of the city.

Day 4: Stage: Carcassonne-Narbonne. Trip distance:  64 kms. Elevation gain: -70 m.
In the stage described as *the* best bike ride in Europe by one of our guides,  we continue riding along fully shaded bike paths, down charming and picturesque locks, waving to passing barges from all over the world until our arrival to Narbonne, an  important center on the Via Domitia, the first Roman road in Gaul.

Day 5: Stage: Narbonne-Agde. Trip distance: 48 kms. Elevation gain: -20 m.
We arrive at the southern coast of France in the city of Agde as the Canal du Midi ends it journey to the sea. While we're here, take some time to admire its baroque cathedral, built in the black basalt stone characteristic of the region. 

Day 6: Stage: Agde-Montpellier. Trip distance: 53 kms. Elevation gain: 0 m.
A beautiful ride along the coast brings us to the cosmopolitant student city of Montpellier, a city well known for its theater and dance artistic tradition and the Festival de Radio France, an important classical music and jazz festival.

Day 7: Montpellier
Take a full day to soak in the ambiance of this friendly city. Have a coffee in its Place de la Comédie,  visit the Musée Fabre, stroll by its botanical gardens and avenues, or even take the bus and catch some sun rays at the beach. In the evening, don't forget to try some exotic and elegant ice cream flavors like lavender and honey on your way back to city center!

Day 8: Stage: Montpellier-Nîmes. Trip distance: 48 kms. Elevation gain: 20 m.
After today's easy ride we arrive into Nîmes, an important Roman settlement famous for its springs and acqueduct, and which gives the fabric used in jeans ("Denim") its namesake. Our arrival in the early afternoon leaves us plenty of time to explore its well-preserved amphitheatre, ancient Roman temples, and beautiful fountain gardens.

Day 9: Stage: Nîmes-Avignon. Trip distance: 42 kms. Elevation gain: -10 m.
We ride into the heart of Provence to the vibrant city of Avignon, from where the Popes ruled the Catholic Church between 1309 and 1377. An afternoon stroll in the old part of town by the Papal Residence is not to be missed, as well as a visit to the trendy boutiques on the main avenue, followed by a nice dinner in a streetside cafe while passing the time people-watching.

Day 10: Avignon.
Take a full day to explore this charming city! Visit the old Papal Residences, the Pont Saint Bénézet over the Rhône (made famous by the children's French folk song!), stroll the squares and admire the Cathedral, or if you prefer a side-trip to the nearby countryside, take a short bus excursion and hike the chemins de l'ochre (roads of ochre) in the nearby picturesque village of Roussillon.

Day 11: Stage: Avignon-Aix-en-Provence. Trip distance:  74 kms. Elevation gain: 150 m.
Today's beautiful ride by sunflower and lavender fields ends in Aix-en-Provence.  After our traditional goodbye dinner in the center of town, we celebrate the end of our bike riding tour with a well-deserved treat: the famous calissons, a type of candy made from almonds and crystalized fruit, yum!

Day 12: Time to go home!
Free shuttle to Marseilles airport provided by the VeloTours van team.

Route Map

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