Yes, it's expensive but it's also a proper Bordeaux chateau and a real treat. This is an ideal place to stay for either the Canal de GaronneBordeaux to Toulouse bike route or the Lot Valley bike route, which branches off nearby. Our canal de Garonne cycling holiday from Bordeaux to Toulouse is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the landscapes and patrimonial heritage of the South West of France at your own pace. * If you find my information useful, please consider booking accommodation using the links I've provided on the site – your support helps me to keep Freewheeling France going (and all my advice free). There are tour companies workig this route daily from sprig through to November. - Self-catering
Bike delivery services may be more affordable for the shorter stretches rather than the whole route. It runs for 57km from Bordeaux, through Créon and onto Sauveterre-de-Guyenne. On some sections of the Bordeaux-Toulouse route it can be hard to find accommodation in peak periods, with the B&Bs and hotels generally smaller and often booked out. The only other place in Europe that a water slope like this can be found is at the locks of, The run to Toulouse is entertaining, with plenty of activities to see along the canal such as canoeing and rowing. If you are thinking of combining a cycling tour in France with a live-aboard canal boat holiday, see our article here. On some sections of the Bordeaux-Toulouse route it can be hard to find accommodation in peak periods, with the B&Bs and hotels generally smaller and often booked out. For advice on accommodation options, see our where to stay section. There also aren't that many established bike-friendly hotels/B&Bs. - Guided
where the Garonne river meets the Lot (ideal if you're moving onto the. The route is made up of a short section from Royan, followed by a link via the Roger Lapebie bike path to the Canal de Garonne, which in turn links to the Canal du Midi. This route is not as well developed as the Canal du Midi in terms of facilities, restaurants and lunch stops, so always plan lunch stops ahead or carry supplies in your panniers. Discover the Canal des Deux Mers à Vélo, an exceptional cycle route linking the two seas of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. At Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, join a quiet road to reach the Canal de Garonne near the town of La Réole. When you arrive in the 'pink city' of Toulouse (named after the colour of its brick buildings), you enter via the port de l'Embouchure (mouth of the port), where the Canal de Garonne meets the Canal du Midi. There are also lots of options for rides in and around Bordeaux and along the Atlantic Coast routes before or after your canal ride. The largest town on the route is Agen, famous for its prunes. Yes, it's expensive but it's also a proper Bordeaux chateau and a real treat. Once you’ve crossed the mighty Garonne River, you enter the Entre-Deux-Mers vineyards via a great cycle track. Beautiful Bordeaux at night. (You can read part one about the Canal du Midi here.). Mainly flat and easy cycling, … recommend staying in the city rather than near the airport so that you can make the most of the city at night. This is also close to the first lock, where a 14th century chateau looks down on you as you start your adventure. +33 495 444 967. Destinations. The Roger Lapebie bike path is not 100% flat but it's more than doable for novices. From Marmande you can then continue on to Damazan the next day. The route is well shaded by plane trees, so even on the hottest days the ride is a pleasure. You should plan ahead and book early. Photo: Elodie Ruedas. For more of a budget option, head to Hotel Atena. Take supplies with you. There are two distance options to be recommended: at Marmande, a short detour from the canal (approximately 26km from La Reole). After the old English bastide of Damazan (where the route meets the, The largest town on the route is Agen, famous for its prunes. Nonetheless, the Sauveterre to La Reole section is the hardest part of the Bordeaux-Toulouse route. 1) St Jean de Thurac to Moissac: Approx 32km from St Jean de ThuracThe Hôtel Le Moulin de Moissac is a worthy diversion from the canal towpath as the hotel overlooks the Tarn River. The path that follows the Canal de Garonne is an excellent tarmaced surface, but after Toulouse as you cross to the Midi, the track varies, and is a mix of tarmac and earth. What are you looking for? Hotel-Restaurant Au Colombier du Touron is just before Agen. A slightly cheaper option in the atmospheric Hôtel Le Père Léon, which was recommended to us by cyclists. There are lots of options in Bordeaux but you do need to check about bike storage as some city centre hotels have limited space. The entire route can be cycled from one end to the other in 10 days at a pace that leaves plenty of time for exploring. Bordeaux, a splendid city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, makes for one glorious starting point on the Canal des 2 Mers à Vélo cycle route. You can pedal along for almost 800km beside the Canal de Garonne and the Canal du Midi, the latter a World Heritage Site, to explore unforgettable landscapes and sites.