Day 1
Arrival in the surrounding of Carcassonne. Welcome meeting with aperitif and first French dinner. Quel plaisir!
Day 2 Narbonne—Canal du Midi 46 km
Visit of the city of Narbonne. On tap: the archbishop palest and the gothic cathedral, which are absolutely worth a visit. The Roman witnesses of the past will be discovered, like the Roman storage facility and the Via Dolmetia. After the visit of Nabonne we will not cycle next to the Canal du Midi, but alongside the Canal de la Robine. A breathtaking cycle lane. Afterwards the Canal du Midi flows through the Corbières. Here we can leave all our cares behind, while cycling along the Canal du Midi, with its highly interesting viaducts and the canal bridges.
Day 3 Cap d`Agde – Narbonne 39 km
The Canal du Midi, with was constructed in the 17th century, is one of the oldest canals of France and was constituted as Wold Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO. Relaxed we are cycling up to Béziers. Continuation of the journey to the impressive floodgate of Fonséranes. It is worth to stop and to observe how one of the many houseboats pass through. Afterwards we will follow the whorls of the Canal du Midi, just upto the impressive Malpass-Tunnel. From there it is just a short way to the Oppidume d’Ensérune. On the way we can enjoy the view on the quaint landscape of Montady, a 400 hectare large pond, which was drained in 1247 and therefore has the perfect geometric form of the sun.
Day 4 Minvervois– Canal du Midi 47 km
On the Route des Vins we are passing through the Minvervois with its vineyards and ist typical wine-villages. After 20 km there is a change of nature and the Mediterranean vegetation begins with cypresses and pinewoods. On the beautiful cycling path we are reaching an ornament of the Roman time:
Minerve, a small town, which is one of the most picturesque in the region with a marvelous panorama. After some effort on the way to Minerve, we are now happy to get downhill to get to the Canal du Midi in Hopms. This harbor village was one of the most important trade spots in between the two seas. Continuation on the Canal du Midi with many beautiful impressions. The day fades with a wine tasting on a vineyard estate.
Day 5 La Montagne Noire 47 km
Mysterious history and characterized by strong faith – that’s the „Montagne Noire“, which are located in the north of the Canal du Midi. They are part of the Haute-Languedoc and was a heartland of the Cathar castles in the XII century. In the XV century the reformation gained the territory and causes confrontations between Catholics and Protestants.
Beautiful downhill, marvelous woods and picturesque villages are highlighting the path. Afterwards we are visiting the four Cathar castles of Latours by foot. On 300m we have a wonderful view.
Day 6 Homps—Carcassonne 42 km
Our todays tour is leading us through the land of the Cathars with its picturesque villages, accompanied by the Canal du Midi up to the gorgeous city of Carcassonne. The city wall of Carcassonne are Frances most conserved fortress building of the Middle Age. Guided tour. Carcassonne was built on top of an ancient Roman fortress and was the venue of the fights between crusader and heretics in the 13th century. Their leader were Simon de Montfort and Raymond Trencavel. In the 14th century it was an important sport of the cloth-maker-manufacture. After visiting the Fortress, we can stop in one of the cafés to enjoy the special atmosphere of this city.
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