CYCLING ALONG THE CANAL
DISCOVER OUR LOOPS
SEVERAL LOOPS ARE PROPOSED FROM CASTETS-EN-DORTHE
HIKES ALONG THE CANAL
SEVERAL LOOPS ARE PROPOSED FROM DORTHE CASTETS
First, the routes along the Canal de Garonne are exposed, in order of increasing duration (Loops CC1 to CC6).
You will ride on a bike path, in the middle of nature, away from all traffic, on a path of beauty, serene and refreshing in summer.
The bikes can be returned to the last stage: we provide the transport of the return.
DURATION
• 1/2 day
• 1 day
• Several days
First, the routes along the Canal de Garonne are exposed, in order of increasing duration (Loops CC1 to CC6).
You will hike on a bike path, in the middle of nature, away from all traffic, on a path of beauty, serene and refreshing in summer.
The bikes can be returned to the last stage: we provide the transport of the return.
DURATION
• 1/2 day
• 1 day
• Several days
LOOP CC1
CANAL DE GARONNE
DESTINATION : FONTET – LA RÉOLE
From the church square, walk down along the Hamel castle to the roundabout at the Eiffel type bridge. Take the 1st exit on the right and walk along the Garonne to Lock N ° 53 at the bottom of the descent. The lock keeper is elevated. Passing in front of its main facade (opposite the street), you discover the flood scale. When you read it, you will understand this particular architecture which makes it possible to adapt to regular floods: it is the life of the Canal …
Once on the cycle path, you cycle for 10 km under a canopy of plane trees, in very soothing calm, to the Fontet water sports center. There, a picnic area, children’s games, a beach with supervised swimming (in high season) invite you to stop.
For the return trip, you can turn back.
If you want to explore the banks of the Garonne, you continue on the canal for about 500 m to the TARTIFUME bridge. That you cross by turning left. You leave the cycle path by taking the small road that runs along the Garonne. You continue to La Réole, observing the dikes that contain the floods. Pass in front of the suspension bridge, in the direction of FLOUDÈS, then towards BASSANNE where you pick up the cycle path
RECOMMENDED BIKE : HIKING / ELECTRIC BIKE
BOUCLE CC2
CANAL DE GARONNE
DESTINATION : MEILHAN SUR GARONNE
From the church square, walk down along the Hamel castle to the roundabout at the Eiffel type bridge. Take the 1st exit on the right and walk along the Garonne to Lock N ° 53 at the bottom of the descent. The lock keeper is elevated. Passing in front of its main facade (opposite the street), you discover the flood scale. When you read it, you will understand this particular architecture which makes it possible to adapt to regular floods: it is the life of the Canal …
Once on the cycle path, you cycle for 10 km under a canopy of plane trees, in a very soothing calm, to the Fontet nautical base (see CC1).
After Fontet, continue for 10 km to reach Meilhan sur Garonne. Its port offers a very pleasant setting. But above all, this village has the characteristic of being the highest in altitude above the Garonne. Its place located on the edge of the cliff, called “Le Tertre” offers the most beautiful viewpoint of the Garonne: a must!
For the return, return by the Canal by the same path. If you wish to discover the banks of the Garonne by small roads, leave the cycle path at the level of the TARTIFUME bridge (see the indications in CC1)
RECOMMENDED BIKE : HIKING / ELECTRIC BIKE
BOUCLE CC3
CANAL DE GARONNE
DESTINATION : PONT DES SABLES – FOURQUES SUR GARONNE
When you arrive at Meihlan-sur-Garonne (see loop CC3), you can extend your hike by 15km to reach Fourques-sur Garonne. Thus, you will have made the most of the beauty of this hike over a day.
RECOMMENDED BIKE : ELECTRIC BIKE
BOUCLE CC4
POUR UN WEEK-END
DESTINATION : LE CANAL DE LA GARONNE JUSQU’À AGEN
We recommend the following steps:
- Day 1: Departure from Castets-en-Dorthe, located just at the beginning of the Canal at Mas d´Agenais: 45 km
- Day 2: From Mas d´Agenais to Agen: 55 km
As far as Pont des sables, see the previous loops.
As you leave the canal cycle path to reach Mas d´Agenais, you will be surprised by the steep slope! The village square is charming, with the market halls and the Romanesque church, Saint Vincent, housing a depiction of the crucifixion painted by Rembrandt.
The second day, you will discover Damazan, an old country house. A little further, in Buzet, do not miss the Buzet cooperative, which brings together 90% of the appellation’s winegrowers. It was a forerunner of organic farming and made it famous.
Finally, take the time to stop at Sérignac-sur-Garonne and admire the helical bell tower of its church …
RECOMMENDED BIKE : HIKING / ELECTRIC BIKE
BOUCLE CC5
UN WEEK-END PROLONGÉ
DESTINATION : MOISSAC
We recommend the following steps:
- Day 1: Castets-en-Dorthe at Mas d´Agenais
- Day 2: Mas d’Agenais in Brax
- Day 3: Brax to Moissac
Up to Agen, see the description of the previous loops.
After Agen, you will soon arrive in Valence-d´Agen. With its regular streets and large squares, Valence is a fine example of a 13th century Bastide (or royal town). A stroll through the city center, with its red brick houses and arcades, is a must. You can see three beautiful wash houses, two of which are classified as historical monuments. The halls, so typical of the region, adorn the central square and host lively markets throughout the summer.
Moissac is known for its magnificent canal bridge and for its cloistered abbey located in the city center.
The Cacor canal bridge was built in 1845 in Quercy stone and Toulouse bricks. 356 m long, you will cross the Tarn by borrowing it. The city offers a very beautiful heritage which deserves to be visited. See the Blog of Canalfriends
RECOMMENDED BIKE : HIKING / ELECTRIC BIKE
BOUCLE CC6
UN WEEK-END PROLONGÉ
DESTINATION : MONTAUBAN
We recommend the following steps:
- Day 1: Castets-en-Dorthe at Mas d´Agenais
- Day 2: Mas d’Agenais in Brax
- Day 3: Brax to Moissac
- Day 4: Montauban
Up to Moissac, see the description of the previous loops.
After Moissac, you will pass the large port of Castelsarrasin, then you will soon arrive in Montech.
Opposite Lock 11, the abandoned factory is a former paper mill, built in 1856.
The other curiosity is the Pente d’Eau, built in 1975 at a time when river transport was still active. It allowed barges of 30 m to ascend the equivalent of 5 locks at once.
This is where you will leave the Canal de Garonne, to take the Canal de Montech cycle path which goes up to Montauban for 10 km.
RECOMMENDED BIKE : HIKING / ELECTRIC BIKE
BOUCLE CC7
CANAL DE GARONNE
DESTINATION : TOULOUSE
We recommend the following steps:
- Day 1: Castets-en-Dorthe at Mas d´Agenais
- Day 2: Mas d’Agenais in Brax
- Day 3: Brax to Moissac
- Day 4: Discovery of the town of Moissac,
- Day 5: From Moissac to Toulouse. For fans of short stages, an additional stage is possible in Grisolles
Up to Moissac, see the description of the previous loops.
After Moissac, you will pass the large port of Castelsarrasin, then you will soon arrive in Montech.
Opposite Lock 11, the abandoned factory is a former paper mill, built in 1856.
The other curiosity is the Pente d’Eau, built in 1975 at a time when river transport was still active. It allowed barges of 30 m to ascend the equivalent of 5 locks at once.
The Moissac stage in Toulouse is 70 km long. An intermediate stage in Grisolles allows you to spread out the effort: 37 then 33 km. Among the attractions of this small town are the Gothic portal of the Church of St. Martin, the castle of Fontanas and its 19th century market hall. You are in the Frontonnais wine region. 3 km away, in the direction of Fronton, you can taste this wine at Château Bellevue la Forêt.
On arrival, you can leave your bikes in a depot near the SNCF train station.
RECOMMENDED BIKE : HIKING / ELECTRIC BIKE
BOUCLE CC8
CANAL DE GARONNE
DE BORDEAUX À TOULOUSE
We recommend the following steps:
- Day 1: Bordeaux to Sauveterre de Guyenne
- Day 2: Sauveterre de Guyenne, then Canal from Castets-en-Dorthe to Mas d´Agenais
- Day 3: Mas d’Agenais in Brax
- Day 4: Brax to Moissac
- Day 5: Discovery of the town of Moissac,
- Day 6: From Moissac to Toulouse. For fans of short stages, an additional stage is possible in Grisolles
First stage: from the Pont de Pierre to Bordeaux, take the cycle path towards LATRESNE, along the beautiful properties along the Garonne. In LATESNE, take the LAPÉBIE cycle path to Sauveterre de Guyenne (54 km). This cycle path, a former railway line, has a lot of charm. It even goes through a tunnel!
Then, reach Castets-en-Dorthe by crisscrossing the small roads of the Entre-Deux-Mers vineyards. GPX trace is available on request.
To reach TOULOUSE, follow the CC1 to CC7 loops.
RECOMMENDED BIKE : HIKING / ELECTRIC BIKE
