Languedoc · Moderate · One way

Toulouse to Avignonet along the Canal du Midi

Out of Toulouse on the Canal du Midi's tarmac towpath, under the plane trees by the locks of the Lauragais to Avignonet.

Distance
46.0 km (28.6 mi)
Ascent
38 m
Riding time
About 3 h
Grade
Moderate
Bike
Any bike
Runs on
55% cycle path, 37% path, 8% road

Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.

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Move along the height chart to see each point on the map.
Toulouse to Avignonet along the Canal du Midi
Havang(nl) · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

The ride

From Toulouse-Matabiau station the ride joins the Canal du Midi and follows its towpath south-east out of the city past Port Saint-Sauveur and Ramonville-Saint-Agne. It continues through the farmland of the Lauragais by Montgiscard, Ayguesvives and the Négra lock, then past Villefranche-de-Lauragais, Renneville and Gardouch to Avignonet, just before Port-Lauragais.

It is 46.0 km (28.6 miles) one way with 38 m of climbing; allow about 3 hours of riding. The grade is Moderate, for the distance: the towpath is smooth tarmac, flat and traffic-free all the way, shared with walkers.

Plane trees with canker are being felled along the canal near Toulouse and at Ayguesvives, so expect short diversions. The canal was dug between 1667 and 1681 by Pierre-Paul Riquet and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Beyond Port-Lauragais the towpath turns to rougher gravel.

Parking Matabiau by the station is paid. TER trains run back from Avignonet station to Toulouse, about hourly at peak times and every two hours otherwise, with few at weekends. Bikes travel free, up to six a train, but must be booked at weekends and on holidays.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.

Good to know

  • The Canal du Midi, built by Pierre-Paul Riquet between 1667 and 1681 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996
  • Smooth tarmac and traffic-free on the towpath all the way, shared with walkers, by Ramonville, Montgiscard, Ayguesvives and the Négra lock
  • TER trains back from Avignonet to Toulouse; bikes go free, but booking is compulsory at weekends
  • Plane trees with canker are being felled along the canal, so expect short diversions

Getting there

Start: Toulouse · Pay and display. 43.61288, 1.45315

Directions to the start

By train: Toulouse-Matabiau station is 0.2 km from the start.

Places to stay nearby

Rooms in and around Toulouse-Matabiau: Booking.com → Expedia →

Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.

Paths and roads change, and surfaces vary with the weather. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; ride to what you find, give way to walkers and horses, and carry what you need to mend a puncture.