Der Kanal der zwei Meere

This is a two weeks, linear route, for moderate cyclists, that runs little more than 500 km along the Garonne and the Midi canals, from Bordeaux, through Toulouse, to Sète.

Known as the Canal des Deux Mers or Canal of the Two Seas, this magnificent work was built in less than two centuries, connected the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea, and avoided the tumultuous river Garonne. Overcome by the railway and roads, today they are dedicated mainly to irrigation and tourism. The canal du Midi was declared World Heritage in 1996, making this route as one of the most classic of French cycletourism.

Along the route we will have chances to enjoy the festivals Music@Caillou and Musique sacrée à la cathédral of Bordeaux, Festival d'Été of Toulouse, Festival of Carcassonne, and Fiest'A of Sète.

Since 1996 the canal du Midi, since 1997 the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne, and since 2007 the Historic Center and the Port of the Moon of Bordeaux are World Heritage Sites.

This route runs through Réseau hydrographique du Gat Mort et du Saucats, and Étang du Bagnas, sites classified as SCI (Site of Community Importance); and also Vallée de la Garonne de Muret à Moissac, Est et sud de Béziers, and Étang de Thau et lido de Sète à Agde, are areas protected as IBA (Important Bird Area) in the Natura 2000 network.