A guide to cycle touring along the Canal du Midi in the sunny Languedoc region of southern France. A UNESCO World Heritage Site the canal meanders through lush countryside rich in history and culture and offers the cyclist flat, car-free paths for a comfortable pedal, suitable for all levels of ability and experience, as well as access to tougher excursions in the nearby hills and mountains. ? ideal for anyone planning a cycling holiday, English-speaking residents of the region who want to explore or anyone passing through on the canal who wants to stretch their legs a little by bike ? describes the main canal (240km) and its Narbonne extension (37km), with excursions to the Cathar strongholds of Minerve and Lastours, the canal's water source in the Montagne Noire and the lagoons and marshes in the Aude and Orb delta ? highlights the attractions of cities and towns along the way such as Toulouse, Carcassonne, Beziers and Sete, and gives practical information about accommodation, cycle shops, markets and festivals along the route
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Product Description
About the Author
Declan Lyons brings a lifelong passion for cycling and touring to this guide. As a teenager in the 1960s, he explored the wilds of Connemara on a rusty three-speed Rudge bicycle. Since then, he has toured extensively in Ireland and further afield. He has cycled throughout France including regular trips from the Channel to the Mediterranean. Declan now lives next to the Canal du Midi, where he has spent the past decade exploring its history, culture and wildlife - accompanied by his wife, son and fellow bike enthusiasts.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By tandempair
Format:Paperback
Over the last two years my wife and I have used the first edition of this invaluable guide to help us enjoy cycling in the area of the Canal du Midi in the south of France. The book has been thoroughly researched and well written with excellent descriptions of the features of the towpath based cycle route from Toulouse to Sete in well paced stages along the canal. It's not difficult to follow a canal but the author provides clear simple maps showing features such as locks, supplies, places of interest and where to cross to the other bank. Complete and informative descriptions of the historical background to the canal, it's extensive and some unique water features and the interesting local villages and sights along the way are provided. Additionally canal linked cycling excursions varying from a few kms to a whole day trip are also detailed which visit villages and marshes providing architectural features and wildlife such as flamingos, otters and little and great egrets which can be seen.
There are 7 appendices providing useful lists of accommodation along the route (ranging from camping, a range of hotels and floating barges), intermediate distances, language glossary, repair shops, tourist offices, market days and further reading.
We found all the information in the guide to be up to date and accurate although the stretch from Agde to Sete has now changed dramatically where the only cyclable route has been dug up, but there are signs that it is going to be replaced by a super smooth cycle track. A note to this effect has been inserted in the second edition but I think it may be a year or two before the new route is available.... Read more ›
There are 7 appendices providing useful lists of accommodation along the route (ranging from camping, a range of hotels and floating barges), intermediate distances, language glossary, repair shops, tourist offices, market days and further reading.
We found all the information in the guide to be up to date and accurate although the stretch from Agde to Sete has now changed dramatically where the only cyclable route has been dug up, but there are signs that it is going to be replaced by a super smooth cycle track. A note to this effect has been inserted in the second edition but I think it may be a year or two before the new route is available.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Honest Andy
Format:Paperback
I am a real Francophile and manage to visit at least 3 times a year. This canal is another lovely part of a lovely country. So far I have only walked a small section of it in June this year, which kindled my interest in this guide. So I have not yet used it proper (next year hopefully). The guide is very detailed, describing changes in the path surface and its suitability for mountain or road bikes. It pinpoints all sorts of facilities from supermarkets, bed & breakfast stops, cafes & restaurants, even taps to replenish the bidon! This guide is not required to avoid getting lost (even I could follow the watery clues) so why buy a guide you may well ask? Well Watson, the guide is so detailed you can plan stopovers. It tells you where best to cross to the other bank for ease of passage. It also highlights nearby places of interest which you may choose to visit if you are not racing from A to B. And it keeps the interest kindled on long winter nights, away from soap operas and towards balmy summer days enjoying fresh air, sunshine, exercise, food, wine... Nurse! Quick, the medication! He's gone again!
My only complaint is petty and refers to the publisher. Cicerone guides have small pages, being designed to fit the pocket. However around 25-30% of each page is given over to blank margin so the print is forced to be quite small, not crumbly-friendly to those of us fighting the inevitable submission to spectacles!
My only complaint is petty and refers to the publisher. Cicerone guides have small pages, being designed to fit the pocket. However around 25-30% of each page is given over to blank margin so the print is forced to be quite small, not crumbly-friendly to those of us fighting the inevitable submission to spectacles!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cycling the Canal Du Midi: Across Southern France from Toulouse to Syte (Cicerone Guides)
29 Sep 2011
By Dan Price
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed the book though unfortunately we have not made it to the Canal du Midi, yet! The book is a good size for taking along and full of useful information toplan the trip.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Describe the pitfalls and joys of this historic route through some of the interesting parts of France along a marvel of engineering construction.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book as I was intending to walk the whole length of the Canal du Midi. I found it compact, usefull and a great companion to inform me of important points such as drink stations, village history etc.
By Kit Walkham
Format:Paperback
Used this when cycling the Canal du Midi in Sept 2012, as last stage in a trip that started in Brittany. Having a guide book is essential as this canal path is very poor compared with others in France especially the Nante-Brest canal. There is very little on route signing, and the guide book is quite right to describe substantial sections of the tow path as messy and difficult, due to tree roots, potholes and a general lack of attention. The author is clearly an enthusiast for the canal and knowledgable about its history and context. However we felt he could do more in the headline introduction to warn that, although flat, it is not an easy ride suitable for eg cycling novices or families with trailers.
The guide worked well for route planning with sufficient detail about the overall nature of the track, facilities in nearby towns, places of interest etc. It was fairly good for use en route, with details of when to cross to the other bank, warnings of particularly neglected patches etc, although these occasionally did not match the latest position. The accommodation list is not comprehensive, but a useful back up to online booking sites.
The maps are not at a great level of detail but are usable. The book interweaves the route on the canal and a number of excursions (which we did not try). These are differentiated by shading, but sometimes hard to pick out in a hurry. Appendices with cycling glossary in French and list of cycle shops were helpful.
We cycled west to east, which is the direction which the guide assumes. It would need more careful reading for the opposite direction, and the suggested diversion around Agde would be difficult to follow. (However this may no longer be needed.)
It was reassuring that Cicerone advise looking at their website for updates.... Read more ›
The guide worked well for route planning with sufficient detail about the overall nature of the track, facilities in nearby towns, places of interest etc. It was fairly good for use en route, with details of when to cross to the other bank, warnings of particularly neglected patches etc, although these occasionally did not match the latest position. The accommodation list is not comprehensive, but a useful back up to online booking sites.
The maps are not at a great level of detail but are usable. The book interweaves the route on the canal and a number of excursions (which we did not try). These are differentiated by shading, but sometimes hard to pick out in a hurry. Appendices with cycling glossary in French and list of cycle shops were helpful.
We cycled west to east, which is the direction which the guide assumes. It would need more careful reading for the opposite direction, and the suggested diversion around Agde would be difficult to follow. (However this may no longer be needed.)
It was reassuring that Cicerone advise looking at their website for updates.... Read more ›
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Best holiday ever
The best solo holiday in years was when I cycled from Carcassonne to the sea along the Canal du Midi. Some really nice little ports and great contryside. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Such fun
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cycling the Canal du Midi
This is an excellent book.Even the Introduction is compelling reading.Not only does Declan cover the essentials for cycling, routes,maps and turns along the canal but he also... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Garrett, Dublin
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
A great book for the money and essential for those contemplating this cycle route - go for it. I ma now planning in an informed manner.
Published 21 months ago by F. Readhead
3.0 out of 5 stars
A route in a book
This is a high quality book, but seems to be just a description of the route, which basically follows the canal path. Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2011 by Rossicus
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