Canal du Midi

Toulouse is also called the "ville rose" because of the reddish stone of many buildings. There is plenty to see: the Basilica of St Sernin, the Place du Capitole and the Augustin Museum.

Castelnaudary is the largest harbour on the Canal du Midi; even the largest wine freighters could turn around here. The French travel long distances to pay their culinary respects to the town of the savoury bean stew "Cassoulet".

Follow the Canal du Midi as far as Bram, then head towards the Pyrenees. On an old railroad line that has been converted for cyclists, the ascent is moderate and you cycle through railroad tunnels, over viaducts and bridges to Mirepoix, an enchanting bastide from the Middle Ages.

Back through the Ariége countryside, a peaceful and meditative agricultural landscape with rolling hills, to Carcassonne. There, the imposing Cité, the largest fortified city in Europe, awaits you in the heart of the Cathars.

Montolieu is a wonderful city at the edge of the Montagnes Noires. There are 15 antique stores with over 200.000 books in this worth seeing city of book. The former royal textile manufacturing was declared to a National Monument in 2004.

Olonzac is the centre of the winegrowers in the Minervois, Homps was the shipping port. Vines everywhere, the Montagne Noire and the Corbière in sight, here you can practise doing nothing by the canal.

Today's destination is Narbonne, you change to the canal and travel along the Canal de la Robine towards the Mediterranean. Major medieval buildings include the unfinished cathedral and the archbishops' palace. Another highlight is the market hall "Les Halles", which has been honoured as the most beautiful in France.

You travel to Capestang and on to Béziers. The town is the center of winegrowing and also the birthplace of Paul Riquet, the builder of the Canal du Midi. The archbishop's palace watches over the town, the attraction on the canal are the Neuf Écluses, the Nine Locks.

The further you cycle, the saltier the air becomes. The cycle path leads directly along the sea towards Sète, the largest French fishing town on the Mediterranean, also known as the "Little Venice of the Languedoc" due to its many canals. Here, an evening stroll can be perfectly combined with a good meal, as the origins of the town are Italian - as is the cuisine.