Discovering the Canal du Midi by bike

autumn

Week-end / 3 days

I’m starting out / with the family

Discovering the Canal du Midi and 9 Fonseranes locks

With friends, as a couple or as a family, come and discover the Canal du Midi and the 9 locks of Fonseranes, an emblematic site classified as a UNESCO heritage site. From Colombiers, beyond the Canal du Midi, discover a wine-growing area, rich in history and the footprints left by the peoples who have occupied it since Antiquity. Drive through the Saint-Chinian vineyards and extend your stay to Nissan-lès-Ensérune for a trip back in time.

From €210 per person

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DAY 1: FULL OF EXPERIENCES AT THE SITE OF 9 FONSERANES LOCKS (Béziers - Ecluses de Fonseranes - Béziers - 40 km)

From Béziers (possibility to arrive the day before), collect your bikes from Paulette Bike. Follow the Canal du Midi to the listed site of the 9 locks of Fonseranes and enjoy intense experiences: family treasure hunt; navigation on a barge; immersion in heritage thanks to the immersive cinema; exploration of Béziers and its history on a small train... In the afternoon, head for the seaside. Along the Orb, follow the left bank and visit the protected natural site of Orpellières and its immense fine sand beach, or the right bank to reach Valras-Plage, a family seaside resort, ideal for enjoying an ice cream while strolling along the seafront, or tasting iodized specialities.

Back in Béziers at the end of the day, take advantage of the last rays of sunshine to admire the Cathedral of Saint Nazaire, the city's must-see monument. Take a break from the square and enjoy a 180° view of the surrounding countryside. Evening in the historic centre with dinner at the Pica-Pica restaurant with a Michelin BIB and overnight at the Hotel Impérator***, completely renovated in 2020.

DAY 2: 2 000 YEARS OF HISTORY ON THE SHORES OF THE CANAL DU MIDI (Béziers - Colombiers - Nissan-lès-Ensérune - 45 km)

From the port of Colombiers, take the route de l'Oppidum in the direction of the Tourist Office, and experience the history of the Malpas tunnel, the only tunnel on the canal (by the Hérault à Vélo 08 loop). Go to the Oppidum d'Ensérune and enjoy a visit to the outdoor trail and the excavations. Go back down to Malpas and take the greenway to Cazouls-les-Béziers. You will go around the dry pond of Montady and cross, among others, the vineyards of Soustres and Grande Canague.

In Cazouls, have a picnic at the old railway station or have lunch in a local restaurant. Stroll through the narrow streets, admire the listed porch of the church, and ask to visit the heritage room! After this break, head for Maraussan on the RD14, where you can visit the Perdiguier wine château or book a private tour of the historic cellar of the Vignerons du Pays d'Ensérune, before heading south towards Lespignan on the route de Poussan, then the voie communale 13 and finally the route de Lespignan. Here the vines have their feet in the water in the pond of La Matte!

Overnight stay in Nissan-lez-Enserune at the Hôtel Résidence and dinner at the restaurant O'33, or at the campsite Le Domino.

DAY 3: FROM THE CANAL DU MIDI TO THE VINEYARDS OF SAINT CHINIAN (Nissan-lez-Ensérune - Capestang - Cruzy - Capestang - 44 km)

Take advantage of this day to visit the nearby winegrowing villages. After reaching Capestang, a lively and authentic village on the Canal du Midi, take the greenway to the village of Cruzy. You will travel 4 km before reaching Puisserguier via the old railway line. Join the village centre for a first jump in time to find yourself at the beginning of the 20th century! In the old school, an eco-museum of life in the past has opened its doors. Sit down on the benches of the old school and immerse yourself in this era by visiting the grocery shop, the haberdashery, the garage...

Return to the greenway, passing through the vineyards and garrigue to reach your meal at the Michelin BIB restaurant Le Terminus - Côté Gare. Head back to Quarante to visit the abbey church of Sainte Marie, a jewel of early Romanesque art, or choose to visit the Dinosaur Museum in Cruzy. Head back towards the Canal du Midi to join the towpath and follow the waterway towards Capestang and settle into your accommodation before enjoying the evening.

For the return journey, you can take your bikes back to Béziers (Paulette Bike) and join Béziers by bus (line 642 - 1 hour journey - Monday to Saturday). Bagafrance also offers transport for people and bikes, or bikes on their own to Béziers.

Discovering the Canal du Midi by bike

Discovering the Canal du Midi and 9 Fonseranes locks

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