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Canal de Garonne

Cycling the Canal de Garonne from Bordeaux to Toulouse

This self guided bike tour along the Canal de Garonne takes you from Bordeaux to Toulouse. Bike through the authentic countryside of southwest France.

Reviews (13) :
4.69 / 5
Reference CG0801
  • Itinerant trip
  • 8 days
  • Moderate
  • From Mar 27 to Oct 31
  • Minimum age From 14 years old
GPSGPS-app available
From
Prices
989€ / pers.
Book here
  • Itinerary
    • This biking vacation lets you explore the southwest of France as you cycle along the Canal de Garonne from Bordeaux to Toulouse. After visiting Bordeaux, you’ll have a pleasant bikeride on the Roger Lapedie Bike Path until you reach Sauveterre-de-Guyenne. Next, you’ll cycle a hillier stretch for a few kilometers, passing through vast vineyards and orchards. Upon reaching La Reole, you’ll be on the Canal de Garonne bike path again. This route goes along the water and past nice traditional villages such as Le Mas d’Agenais and Damazin. Enter the city of Agen by crossing a historic canal bridge. Follow the cycle route, seeing several lock houses, decorated with flowers. At the village of Moissac, take time to explore the distinctive abbey and cloister. Leaving the Canal de Garonne path, you’ll cycle to Montauban. Get back on the canal trail, which leads you to your destination : Toulouse.

    Day 1
     
     

    Bordeaux

    You might want to enter the old city section by riding along the quays of the Garonne. The Bordeaux quayside is one of the most magnificent waterfronts in the world. Bordeaux was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2007 because of the beautiful 18th century facades and outstanding buldings. Discover the banks of the Garonne River and check out the buildings made with white chiseled stone.

    Day 2
     
     

    Bordeaux – Saint-Martin-de-Lerm

    Altitude
    ±290m
    Bike
    68km
    This morning you’ll leave Bordeaux and take a pleasant , designated bike path out of town. Upon reaching Latresne, the path meanders away fro the river and you’ll riding on a converted railroad track. Don’t worry. No trains will be coming! The old train stations along the route offer friendly services for cyclists such as food, coffee and informations. We suggest you leave the cycle path and explore the bastide of Creon (Bastides are towns built from scratch in the 13th and 14th century). Check out the remains of the La Sauve Abbey or the Church of Sauveterre-de-Guyenne.
    The final leg of your route is a bit hilly until you reach your destination, Saint-Martin-de-Lerm.

    Day 3
     
     

    Saint-Martin-de-Lerm – Le Mas d’Agenais

    Bike
    42km
    Get warmed up this morning by biking on a few hills before reaching the medieval town of La Reole on the Garonne River. From there, the path flattends out as you ride along the dikes and reach the Canal de Garonne. The pleasant cylce path runs alongside the canal. If you like, make a detour to the village of Couthures-sur-Garonne, where you can learn about ancient and present river life. The day ends when you reach the charming village of Le Mas d’Agenais and its outstanding church and its remarkable Rembrandt.

    Day 4
     
     

    Le Mas d’Agenais – Agen

    Bike
    49km
    Start the day by biking along the path next to the canal. The route is dotted with quaint villages, containing locks where you can watch boaters navigate each lock. Just a stone’s throw from the canal, admire the bastide of Damazan with its colorful facades or the bastide of Serignac-sur-Garonne with its bell tower made of slate. Towards the end of the route, the bike path crosses the magnificent canal bridge over the Garonne River on the outskirts of Agen. You’ll soon be very close to the city center where you can absorb the sights, sounds and smells of southwest Frane’s way of life.

    Day 5
     
     

    Agen – Moissac

    Bike
    46 / 54km
    Leave Agen on the canal bike path and wind amongst the hills. If you’re looking for a pleasant rest stop, check out the bastide of Valence d’Agen, built by the English. Continue biking past cute lock keepers’houses, many decorated with abundant flowers. Up to a challenge? Leave the canal path and head sightly uphill towards the fortified village of Auvillar, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Your shorter choice is to follow the Canal path until you reach Moissac. The town is known for its medieval buildings, including the abbey church, which has famous and important Romanesque sculpture around the entrance.

    Day 6
     
     

    Moissac – Montauban

    Bike
    44km
    Today’s ride takes you along the canal bike path across the plain to Castelsarrasin. The route leaves the canal path for a short time and transfers over to quiet, backroads to the Abbey of Belleperches on the riverside of Garonne. From there, get on the canal path again until you reach the Montech Marina. Now the route follows another canal path all the way to Montauban, an old city built with pink bricks.

    Day 7
     
     

    Montauban – Toulouse

    Bike
    60km
    The day starts with an easy ride back to the Canal de Garonne where you enter the suburbs of Toulouse. Soon you’ll see the junctions of the Garonne and Midi Canals. Cycle a bit further and you’ll be in the city center of Toulouse. Stroll around and explore the Roman Cathedral of Saint-Sernon, the Jacobins Church or the Renaissance mansion of Assezat.

    Day 8
     
     

    Departure from Toulouse

    Enjoy a walk in Toulouse streets before leaving.
  • Accommodation

    • Category A

    You’ll enjoy staying in these clean and cozy 2-Star hotels and Bed and Breakfasts that give you a pleasant rest after your day of biking. Breakfast is included when you spend the night in these friendly and family-run hotels.
    * Example of the type of accommodation

    Category B

    You’ll get a good night’s sleep when you stay in these 2-3-Star hotels or Bed and Breakfasts. All properties have been selected for their cleanliness, style and friendliness of the staff. A hearty breakfast is included!
    * Example of the type of accommodation
  • Bikes, luggage and documents
    • Bikes

    On your arrival day, we provide you with:

    • a touring bike adjusted to your size or a tandem
    • equipped : front rack pack with an integrated file compartment, saddlebag, helmet (on demand), reflective vest, repairing toolkit with patches etc.

    We also provide you with the appropriate equipment for your children : baby seat, bike trailer or trailer bike depending on their age and size.
    Electric bikes are also available for adults (+1m55).

    You can of course also bring your own bikes, in this case a reduction will be applied (see the Tarif tab)


    Luggage

    Our services include luggage transport in order to let you enjoy your trip comfortably and without stress :
    • We transport your luggage from one accommodation to the next using a private vehicle.
    • Your luggage is directly delivered in your accommodation before you arrive.
    • We provide a saddlebag for the things you shall need during the day.

    Our word of advice : as we know from experience, we strongly recommend you to avoid wearing a backpack during your cycling trip.
    If you expect to arrive at the next accommodation before 5 p.m., we recommend that you take an extra set of clothes with you in your bicycle bag.


    Travel documents

    A cycling holiday is the best way to explore a region and discover its culture, landscapes and local traditions.

    Your tour is self-guided to give you the freedom to ride at your own pace. You will be provided all the information you need to enjoy the itinerary and its points of interests.

    We can provide you with travel documents in paper format (for a supplement of €15 for printing and postage), which include:
    • a roadbook with maps that we drew at the easiest scale to follow on a bike
    • a roadbook with step-by-step description giving the direction to follow at each intersection and highlighting the points of interest

    Example of a map and of a step-by-step description


    Our GPS App

    For this trip, you can also use our smartphone app featuring GPS guidance (without extra fee).

    You will find in the app all the information given in the map and step-by-step roadbooks. You will be located on the itinerary with the GPS device of your phone. The route and directions to follow will be both viewable on the screen of your phone and announced aloud. As you ride along the itinerary, you will be given information about visits, restaurants, services and useful alerts on the way.

    -> You need to have a smartphone and download Le Velo Voyageur app on your Apple or Android store before the trip. All details concerning the downloading and the use of the application will be given after we have confirmed the booking and the balance is paid. Once the trip is downloaded, the GPS guidance can be used off-line.
  • Practical information
    • To get to departure point:

    • By plane: fly to Bordeaux Mérignac. A bus shuttle takes you to the city center in about 30mn depending on traffic.
    • By train: go to Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station. To plan your trip www.trainline.eu


    Parking

    If you drive to Bordeaux, you can park your car in a secured car park located next to Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station. On an indicative basis, the week rate (7 days) is € 50 subject to availability.

    All details will be given in your travel documents.


    To get back to starting point:

    You take the train back to your departure point. You can take a direct speed train (TGV) or regional trains with a connection in Agen. Regional trains are without reservation and take bikes without extra charge. TGV train take bikes on reservation only with an extra charge of € 10/bike. You buy your ticket yourself. You will find the timetable of the day in your travel documents.


    Meeting time:

    The first day is an arrival day without cycling. You arrive whenever you want depending on from where you come. Please note that rooms are usually available in the middle of the afternoon depending on your accommodation. We thank you to advise us if you plan to arrive late.

     .
  • Reviews
    • 13 bike travelers reviews 4.69 / 5

    “ La randonnée à vélo idéale. ”

    On the 2024-07-11 by Saphira
    Excellent.

    “ Canal de la Garonne ”

    On the 2024-07-01 by Sylvie
    Après avoir fait le Canal du Midi il y a deux ans ( de Toulouse à Sète ), nous avons voulu boucler le circuit cette année en partant de Bordeaux jusqu'à Toulouse ( Canal de la Garonne ) Toujours très satisfait de Vélo Voyageur, organisation au top au niveau des réservations, du circuit et de la gestion des bagages. Très réactif au téléphone quand nous avons rencontré un petit souci de réservation de restaurant Nous aimons beaucoup la liberté de nos journées tout en nous laissant porter par l'organisation faite en amont Il ne nous reste plus qu'à choisir notre prochaine destination Merci au Vélo Voyageur

    “ A la recherche de la vraie France ”

    On the 2023-08-25 by David
    Prendre son temps, observer les gens, la flore et la faune. Engager la discussion. S'émerveiller devant des choses simples. Prendre un café, sur une petite place à l'ombre des platanes.

    “ Canal Garone ”

    On the 2023-06-05 by Amy
    Our trip was amazing. We experienced idyllic rides along the canal under beautiful canopy of plain trees. We traveled through interesting countryside towns, and the food and hotel stays were beyond delightful. I highly recommend your company! Thank you for the wonderful experience.

    “ Une expérience merveilleuse ”

    On the 2023-05-24 by Julia
    Tout était de la meilleure qualité: l'itinéraire sélectionné, les logements sublimes, vélos solides, l'application pour l'accompagnement, guidage par GPS. Il ne nous manquait rien. Au contraire, nous avons souvent été agréablement surpris.

    “ Superbe découverte au bord de la Garonne ”

    On the 2020-09-09 by Gilles74
    Entre ville et campagne, vignobles et canaux, au rythme des écluses, une superbe découverte en 6 jours ponctuée avec des extra hors circuit. 2 belles expériences en maison d’hôte ou nous avons été reçu royalement, ça fait plaisir de voir que le respect et l'hospitalité font encore partie des valeurs chez certaines personnes. Quant à la gastronomie en maison d'hôte et dans les hôtels sélectionnés, hummmm, divin. Un bravo global pour l'organisation du Vélo Voyageur.

    “ Une semaine de vélo au fil de l'eau ”

    On the 2020-08-28 by PAULE
    Beau parcours de randonnée vélo sous le soleil et très reposant en cette période particulière. Très bonne organisation (hébergements, transfert des bagages, location vélos). Bon accueil partout. De belles rencontres cyclistes, bateaux... Découvertes et visites intéressantes tout au long du canal. Un grand merci à toute l'équipe !

    “ SUPERBE SEMAINEDE RANDONNEE ”

    On the 2019-07-26 by ANDREE
    nous avons passé une semaine extraordinaire le long du canal de la garonne allant de Bordeaux à Toulouse l'organisation des hébergements, le transfert des bagages, la qualité des vélos étaient d'excellentes qualités, rien n'a été laissé au hasard, grâce à une intendance parfaite, nous avons passé des moments formitables, grâce au vélo voyageur, nous pouvons visiter de belles régions et gardons des souvenirs exceptionnels.

    “ Rien de tel, rien de mieux ! ”

    On the 2019-07-12 by Nicolas
    Rien de tel que de pédaler le long d'un canal, à l'ombre des platanes, et de saluer les bateaux le long d'un parcours qui relaxe autant qu'il ressource. Rien de mieux que l'organisation des bagages qui vous suivent d'étape en étape, rien de mieux qu'une organisation qui répond rapidement et toujours aimablement à vos questions. Une excellente expérience, et du coup on se réjouit de découvrir les autres itinéraires concoctés par le Vélo Voyageur.

    “ Un parcours bien ordonné ”

    On the 2019-06-22 by Alain45
    Malgré une météo peu prometteuse et capricieuse en début de parcours, nous avons effectué un circuit des plus agréables par la découvertes des différents lieux référencés, des prestations hôtelières, chambres d'hôtes excellentes, ainsi qu'une restauration de très bon niveaux (deux petites déceptions dans les brasseries de Bordeaux et Montauban). Un accueil toujours "top niveau" dans cette belle région que nous avons appréciée et appris à mieux connaître. Nous remercions le Vélo Voyageur pour la qualité de ses prestations.

    “ Wonderful ”

    On the 2018-06-12 by Rosemarie
    Cycling the Midi is a great experience ! Most of the trail is unpaved....we really enjoyed the narrow trails but were lucky with the weather. I imagine it would have been far more challenging after rain! We were provided with great bikes with suspension. We stayed at a fantastic B&B Domain Saint-jolly...wonderful hosts!

    “ Canal de Garonne à vélo ”

    On the 2017-09-21 by Jean-Claude
    Très beau parcours par la piste cyclable Lapébie qui mériterait un nouveau revêtement sur une grande partie. La suite du parcours le long du canal de la Garonne est très agréable. Hébergements de qualité.

    “ Un beau voyage ”

    On the 2017-08-07 by BERNARD
    Un beau voyage, accessible à tous grâce aux VAE. Un parcours ombragé la plupart du temps. Des maisons d'hôtes accueillantes et originales. De belles villes à visiter. Une organisation sans surprise. Penser à se munir de bombes anti-crevaison et éviter la piste cyclable du km 9 au km 23.
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