Cycling the Canal du Midi: Across southern France from Toulouse to Sète

The River Loire invites cyclists to explore it. Without a stifling cycle way artificially created along the riveris banks, the route is instead accompanied by an abundance of country lanes, tempting cyclists to find those hidden gems which make this journey an unending pleasure. The route has something for everyone. It includes dramatic vistas from high above the Ardeche Gorge, lazy days of flat riding through fields of indolent cattle, the chance to explore vineyards producing some or the worldis finest vintages and the great collection of castles and palaces which line the riveris banks.Accommodation is plentiful whether you prefer the cheapest gites d'Aetape, the friendly chambres d'hutes, or the comfortable hotels. Wherever cyclists stay, they will be welcomed warmly one and their needs will be well catered for. This book, divided into twenty-three comfortable stages, includes a dramatic approach to the source of the River Loire at Le Gerbier de Jonc, a route alongside the whole of the river and suggestions of how to return to the U.K. It also includes enough advice and information to make this journey a truly memorable one.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Regions of the canal Why by bike? When to cycle How to use this guide History The construction of the canal Culture: festivals and sport Practicalities Getting there and getting around Your bike Health and safety Accommodation Eating and drinking Packing Money, phones and email The Route Stage 1 Toulouse to Port Lauragais Stage 2 Port Lauragais to Carcassone Excursion: from Guerre lock to St-Férréol reservoir Stage 3 Carcassone to Homps Excursion: from Trèbes to Lastours Excursion: from Homps to Minerve Stage 4 Homps to Béziers Excursion: to Narbonne and Port la Nouvelle Stage 5 Béziers to Sète Excursion: to Vendres salt lagoon Excursion: across Portiragnes marshes and to Séringnan Appendix 1 Stage planning table Appendix 2 Accommodation Appendix 3 Tourist offices Appendix 4 English-French glossary Appendix 5 Market days Appendix 6 Bike repair shops Appendix 7 Further reading

About the Author :
Declan Lyons brings a lifelong passion for cycling and touring to this guide. He has toured extensively in Ireland and further afield and cycled throughout France including regular trips from the Channel to the Mediterranean. You can see the plane trees bordering the Canal du Midi from Declan's home in Portiragnes. He has spent the past decade exploring its history, culture and wildlife by bike - accompanied by his wife, son and fellow enthusiasts.