Cathar Bike Tour - Dinosaurs, Cavemen, Cathars

An amazing bike tour in the south of France, cycling through the Minervois region, fascinating landscapes, National Parks, charming villages & vineyards. Visit Cathar castles and villages, nice antique towns like Minerve (voted one of the most beautiful villages in France) and interesting hidden museums of South France. Stay in wonderful hotels & bed & breakfasts, and taste superb wines in historic wine regions & gourmet local food in excellent restaurants.

​

​E-Bikes AvailableLimited quantities -first come, first serve

​

DURATION: 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS  |  LEVEL: MODERATE  |  CUSTOMIZABLE: YES  |  TYPE: SELF-GUIDED

POPULAR CUSTOM OPTIONS

Extra day in Béziers to cycle to the beach.
Extra day in Carcassonne before start of tour.

Extra day in Caunes Minervois with walking tour.

DEPARTURES

Every day.

DISTANCE

150 Km via Narbonne

PRICE (BIKE INCLUDED)

€850 PP

Price for double occupancy

Bike Tour by Day - Bespoke self guided Cathar bike tour around the Canal Du Midi

Day 1:  Arrival in Carcassonne

Cathar bike tour around the Canal Du Midi - Bespoke and self-guided

Your lovely hotel is located right next to the famous walled castle of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Enjoy a evening stroll through its medieval cobblestones streets and dinner in one of its excellent restaurants.

Day 2:  Carcassonne to Caunes-Minervois ~33 Km

Cathar bike tour around the Canal Du Midi - Bespoke and self-guided

Discover part of the Canal Du Midi before heading north.  Visit the Cathar stronghold of Lastours.  Climb to the towers or enjoy lunch overlooking the river and the towers instead.  You will cycle past a cave where cavemen used to live.  Later in the day you will be able to visit a truffle museum as well as a dinosaur fossil museum.

Day 3:  Caunes-Minervois to Homps ~ 24 Km

Cathar bike tour around the Canal Du Midi - Bespoke and self-guided

Easy cycling today on flat and downhill roads.  Rejoin the Canal Du Midi to arrive at a beautiful B&B in Homps.

Day 4:  Homps to Mirepeisset ~ 35 Km

Cathar bike tour around the Canal Du Midi - Bespoke and self-guided

Set of to visit Minerve in the morning.  Minerve is officially one of the most beautiful villages of France.  It was a Cathar stronghold and the ancient capital of the region.  In the afternoon cycle past natural springs where you can take a refreshing swim in crystal clear waters.  A few kilometers farther you will cycle by an old cave where caveman used to live.  The bones found in this cave were the oldest human bones ever found at the time.  However, there is no sign here pointing to this cave.  Only our map shows this location!

Day 5:  Mirepeisset to Narbonne ~ 23 Km

Cathar bike tour around the Canal Du Midi - Bespoke and self-guided

Cycle south to the Canal Du Midi and visit Le Somail, one of the original overnight stops for the passenger boats on the Canal Du Midi in the 1600's.  Head to Narbonne following the Canal de La Robine.  In Narbonne visit the Cathedral and its museum with cavemen.  The old Roman road is still visible in front of the Cathedral.

Day 6:  Narbonne to Beziers ~ 35 Km

Cathar bike tour around the Canal Du Midi - Bespoke and self-guided

Head north again joining the Canal Du Midi at the Malpas Tunnel.  Here the Canal Du Midi flows through a mountain.  Shortly after you will cycle by the famous Nine Locks of Beziers, the masterpiece of the entire Canal Du Midi.  Here ships descent 21 meters before joining the aqueduct crossing the Orb River into Beziers.

Day 7:  Beziers

Cathar bike tour around the Canal Du Midi - Bespoke and self-guided

The oldest city in France has undergone a facelift recently and is now more welcoming to visitors as ever before.  You can visit the old Roman arena here or climb the cathedral tower.  Beziers has a train station and airport with connections all over France and Europe.

Optional Days - Bespoke self guided Cathar bike tour around the Canal Du Midi

Day 3:  Caunes-Minervois (optional) ~ 7 Km

Cathar bike tour around the Canal Du Midi - Bespoke and self-guided

Spend the day in Caunes-Minervois to visit its old abbey.  A lovely circular nature walk is possible as well this day, allowing you to visit the Carriere du Roy, an old marble quarry that has been in use since the Roman times.  This red marble can be seen all over the region, and in its time it was even exported to Italy.  There is also a hidden church close to this quarry whose interior is extraordinary and its surroundings are very peaceful.

Whatʼs Included - Bespoke self guided Cathar bike tour around the Canal Du Midi

What’s Included:

• 6 nights accommodation in 3* hotels and B&B's, some with pools
• breakfasts everyday
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel each day
• Bike rental: Comfortable premium quality hybrid bike with panniers
• Technical support (not including flat tire)

Optional: (not included)

• Extra days of bike touring

Not Included:

• Your trip between here and your home, before & after the tour
• Your travel and health insurance
• Your private costs, souvenirs, gifts, telephone, minibar, etc

Bike Tour Gallery* - Bespoke self guided Cathar bike tour around the Canal Du Midi

​<>26 - 31

*images are non-contractual

Booking - Inquiry

Cycling tours in the south of France.

To take the first step to this bike tour, please send us this form. We will email you in a few hours about availabilities and all the next steps to confirm your booking.

You can also email us at relaxbeziers@gmail.com

IMPORTANT:  Please make sure you enter a valid email address otherwise we will not be able to reply.

​