Cycling the Canal du Midi: from Toulouse to Carcassonne - Mini-break (5 days) comfort hotels

Arrive at Toulouse and settle into your hotel.
Toulouse is a wonderfully vibrant place and it is well worth spending some time looking around. For those who are interested, we can add an additional night here and a cycle loop to take you around the ‘pink city’ (the colour of the bricks used in many of the houses and monuments gave Toulouse its nickname).
Night in a two star hotel only a short walk away from the heart of the old city.

If you have paid in advance for rental bikes, then they will be delivered at your hotel ready for you to begin your journey today alongside the canal, passing through the city and out into the neighbouring countryside on a smooth tarmac track. Familiarise yourself with the many locks (‘Ecluse’) which abound along the route. Allow yourself time to listen to the many birds that spend their time around the canal, chat to the local fishermen and watch the tourist boats chugging ever so slowly through this idyllic scenery. Spend the night in a delightful two star hotel on the banks of the canal, at Castelnaudary. Dine out on “Cassoulet” which has made this particular town famous throughout France.
This stage is roughly 40 miles.

This is a day which urges you to dawdle! One cannot help but feel at the very heart of the French countryside. The views along the tree-lined canal out towards the agricultural fields and to the Pyrenees beyond make it a special day. You cannot miss the fact that you are entering wine country, with plenty of vineyards within metres from the banks of the canal. The destination for this evening is a real treat. Carcassonne boasts two World Heritage Sites and is really unique. Spend time in the medieval city before heading back to your two star hotel, at walking distance from "La Cité".
This stage is under 30 miles.

With an extra day in Carcassonne, you have the opportunity to take it easy and spend more time exploring this fabulous city. For those feeling fit and adventurous, we have prepared a fantastic day’s cycle ride away from the canal, heading into the heart of Cathar country. The ride takes you into the Black Mountains where you can visit the Chateaux de Lastours as well as an underground cave at Limousis which stretches over 1.2km. There are many opportunities to taste the local wines. Return to Carcassonne.
Up to 30 miles round trip with some reasonably steep climbs.

The trip ends after breakfast at your hotel in Carcassonne