The Canal de Garonne: From Toulouse to Marmande
Day 1
47 km
Toulouse → Montech
Leave Toulouse at the Ponts-Jumeaux, where the Canal de Garonne begins. The city noise quickly fades behind you. You ride in the cool shade of plane trees, between vineyards and canal locks.
Take a break in Castelnau-d’Estrétefonds, a charming village of fountains, washhouses, brick townhouses, and a tall brickworks chimney—echoes of a bygone craft.
Continue through the Agré forest until you reach Montech, a former medieval bastide with a peaceful atmosphere, pink-brick charm, and the lovely Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation church.
Day 2
66 km
Montech → Agen
Just outside Montech, you’ll come across a surprising relic: the “pente d’eau,” a 500-meter boat lift—an ambitious feat of canal engineering.
Ride through the Cocagne region, past orchards, cereal fields, and quiet riverside ports. Rest in the shade at Castelsarrasin, then cross the impressive Cacor canal bridge—356 meters of stone arching above the Tarn River.
Arrive in Moissac, a Romanesque treasure with a UNESCO-listed abbey, cloister, and sculpted portal.
Your day continues through Valence d’Agen, a water-rich bastide, and ends in Agen—famous for its prunes and Saint-Caprais Cathedral. Stroll through the old town before settling in for a well-earned rest.
Day 3
58 km
Agen → Marmande
Begin the day with a stunning crossing of the Agen canal bridge—580 meters long and 10 meters above the Garonne River.
Cycle through fields and woods to reach Damazan, a quiet village with colorful houses. Further on, old tobacco-drying barns dot the countryside near Le Mas d’Agenais.
In the small church of Saint-Vincent, you’ll find an unexpected masterpiece: a painting by Rembrandt, quietly housed in this modest town.
Just a few more kilometers and you’ll arrive in Marmande—famed for its tomatoes and strawberries. A perfect spot to toast the end of your journey… if you’re here in season! You can return to Toulouse by train—or by bike if you’re feeling bold! Alternatively, drop off your bike in Bordeaux or Agen, thanks to Paulette’s one-way rental service.