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The Canal de la Garonne may well be the little brother of the famous « Canal du Midi », but it is no less impressive! Mostly off-road, the route makes the most of a great network of cycle paths and green lanes, where the waters of the canal set the pace of the riding. A great opportunity to taste the pleasures of riding under your own steam from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea! No noise, no cars, no stress… just a gentle progression from lock to lock. We discover the incredible expertise and know-how deployed in order to create this gigantic hydraulic machine that spans from coast to coast. Our bikes offer us the freedom to take a few detours along the way in order to visit the Agen water bridge, the Villascopia archeological site and the Abbaye de Moissac, as well as the historical town centres of Agen, Marmande, Moissac and Montauban.
A great route from Agen to Toulouse which is sure to win you over with its charming mix of town and countryside!
Itinerary start: France Bike Trips services begin on day 1 at 9am at our partner hotel in Agen (3 day tour) or in Marmande (4 day tour). You will find the adress in your travel documents.
On request we can book the previous night's accommodation for you in Agen.
If you have booked an extra night in Agen, Marmande or in Toulouse on your own (at the beginning or at the end of your stay), don't forget to let us know so that we can organise the transfer of your baggage from your accommodation. So you will not have to go to the baggage store point at the beginning or at the end of your stay.
Agen is famous for its dried prunes, and the town offers plenty of opportunities to stock up before heading off on the day's route. They're delicious, and great cycling food to boot! We gradually leave the urban landscape of Agen behind us, until the canal joins the Garonne River for a short time. After having admired Agen's "pont-canal" (aqueduct) the previous day, the sight of the two waterways is a reminder of the aqueduct's utility, and veritable economic tool for the area, as Louis XIV intended. Two additional loops are on offer today: the first takes a detour via several high points, offering views of the surrounding countryside, while the second offers the chance to discover the beautiful village of Auvillar, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The day's route finishes in Moissac whose Romanesque abbey is well worth a visit.
Distance covered: approx. 45 km / Altitude gain: negligible.
Optional extra loop (Auvillar): + 10 km
Option extra loop 2 (surrounding countryside): + 15 km
We begin the day by crossing the Tarn river by way of the superb Cacor canal bridge. A fair amount of the tour is now behind us as we enter the department of the Tarn et Garonne. The French accents have changed and the ocean seems a million miles away! We follow the canal to Castelsarrasin, starting point of a loop on quiet back roads that leads to the Abbaye de Belleperche and its tableware museum. A little further on, take the time to admire the Montech water slope in operation, an innovative and unique installation that replaces the equivalent of 5 locks! We then invite you to ride an out and back route along the banks of the Montech canal in order to discover the town of Montauban, that holds the French "art et histoire" certification. The day's route finishes by joining Grenade, your overnight stop.
Distance covered: approx. 50 km / Altitude gain: negligible
Optional loop (Abbey and museum of Belleperche): + 10 km
Optional loop 2 (Montech Canal): + 30 km
Before beginning this last stage of the tour there's an opportunity of riding a loop in order to discover the remarkable gardens of Larra and the labyrinth of the Château de Mélville (largest boxwood labyrinth in Europe). Once back at the Canal Latéral de la Garonne, our route takes us past several locks as the landscape becomes progressively more urban as we approach Toulouse, the "pink city" Take the time to visit the many sights of this wonderful city: from the Saint Sernin basilica to the Jacobin convent and many others, the city is home to an impressive quantity of architectural and heritage sites. It is possible to return to Marmande by train.
Distance covered: approx. 40 km (incl. 10 km in Toulouse) / Altitude gain: negligible
Optional loop (Château de Larra and Labyrinthe of Mélville): + 25 km
Optional loop 2 (Labyrinth of Mélville out and back): + 15 km
Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.
Itinerary end: The tour ends at your last bike step in Toulouse in our baggage shore. It's close to the train station. Your baggage will be delivered at 6pm at the latest. If you want to have it before 6pm, feel free to ask us. Extra option (between 3€ and 7€ depending on the hour).
On request we can book the following night's accommodation for you in Toulouse.
If you have booked an extra night in Agen, Marmande or in Toulouse on your own (at the beginning or at the end of your stay), don't forget to let us know so that we can organise the transfer of your baggage from your accommodation. So you will not have to go to the baggage store point at the beginning or at the end of your stay.
Return trip to Marmande or Agen
This circuit enables you to return to Marmande or Agen by train. Many TER or Intercités trains run between Toulouse and Bordeaux. Most of them accept bicycles. It is up to you to check this information and book it with the SNCF.
Agen is famous for its dried prunes, and the town offers plenty of opportunities to stock up before heading off on the day's route. They're delicious, and great cycling food to boot! We gradually leave the urban landscape of Agen behind us, until the canal joins the Garonne River for a short time. After having admired Agen's “pont-canal” (aqueduct) the previous day, the sight of the two waterways is a reminder of the aqueduct's utility, and veritable economic tool for the area, as Louis XIV intended. Two additional loops are on offer today: the first takes a detour via several high points, offering views of the surrounding countryside, while the second offers the chance to discover the beautiful village of Auvillar, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The day's route finishes in Moissac whose Romanesque abbey is well worth a visit.
Distance covered: approx. 45 km / Altitude gain: negligible.
Optional extra loop (Auvillar): + 10 km
Option extra loop 2 (surrounding countryside): + 15 km
We begin the day by crossing the Tarn river by way of the superb Cacor canal bridge. A fair amount of the tour is now behind us as we enter the department of the Tarn et Garonne. The French accents have changed and the ocean seems a million miles away! We follow the canal to Castelsarrasin, starting point of a loop on quiet back roads that leads to the Abbaye de Belleperche and its tableware museum. A little further on, take the time to admire the Montech water slope in operation, an innovative and unique installation that replaces the equivalent of 5 locks! We then invite you to ride an out and back route along the banks of the Montech canal in order to discover the town of Montauban, that holds the French "art et histoire" certification. The day's route finishes by joining Grenade, your overnight stop.
Distance covered: approx. 50 km / Altitude gain: negligible
Optional loop (Abbey and museum of Belleperche): + 10 km
Optional loop 2 (Montech Canal): + 30 km
Before beginning this last stage of the tour there's an opportunity of riding a loop in order to discover the remarkable gardens of Larra and the labyrinth of the Château de Mélville (largest boxwood labyrinth in Europe). Once back at the Canal Latéral de la Garonne, our route takes us past several locks as the landscape becomes progressively more urban as we approach Toulouse, the "pink city" Take the time to visit the many sights of this wonderful city: from the Saint Sernin basilica to the Jacobin convent and many others, the city is home to an impressive quantity of architectural and heritage sites. It is possible to return to Marmande by train.
Distance covered: approx. 40 km (incl. 10 km in Toulouse) / Altitude gain: negligible
Optional loop (Château de Larra and Labyrinthe of Mélville): + 25 km
Optional loop 2 (Labyrinth of Mélville out and back): + 15 km
Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.
Itinerary end: The tour ends at your last bike step in Toulouse in our baggage shore. It's close to the train station. Your baggage will be delivered at 6pm at the latest. If you want to have it before 6pm, feel free to ask us. Extra option (between 3€ and 7€ depending on the hour).
On request we can book the following night's accommodation for you in Toulouse.
If you have booked an extra night in Agen, Marmande or in Toulouse on your own (at the beginning or at the end of your stay), don't forget to let us know so that we can organise the transfer of your baggage from your accommodation. So you will not have to go to the baggage store point at the beginning or at the end of your stay.
Return trip to Marmande or Agen
This circuit enables you to return to Marmande or Agen by train. Many TER or Intercités trains run between Toulouse and Bordeaux. Most of them accept bicycles. It is up to you to check this information and book it with the SNCF.
Average tour rating:
Thank you for your post-tour feedback. Effectively the Canal de la Garonne is a little less picturesque that the Canal du Midi (though still a superb tour in our opinion). One big advantage of the Garonne over the Midi is the quality of the cycling surface. Unfortunately some parts of the Canal du Midi have fallen into disrepair over the years meaning there are some rough sections that may not suit some cyclists, as well as detours on roads due to work being carried out. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but both remain 2 of the best cycling tours on offer in France.
