The Canal du Midi: From Béziers to Sète

Start your ride in Béziers, birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the visionary behind the Canal du Midi. You leave the city via peaceful towpaths shaded by plane trees, with shimmering water on one side and vineyards on the other—a calm, scenic setting ideal for slow travel. Whether you’re on a hybrid or electric bike, this route is designed for easy, enjoyable riding.

First stop: the Libron works—a little-known masterpiece of hydraulic engineering. Since 1858, this unique mobile system has allowed the canal to cross the unpredictable Libron River. It’s a quiet, fascinating place, perfect for a reflective pause.

Further along, you reach Agde’s round lock—a rare circular structure with three gates. A clever bit of canal architecture and a strategic junction between Béziers, Agde, and the Thau Lagoon. Take time to explore Agde, the “Black Pearl of the Mediterranean,” built from volcanic stone and steeped in 2,600 years of history.

The canal ends at the Onglous lighthouse, where its waters meet the Thau Lagoon. The landscape opens up—brighter, wilder. Riding past the protected marshes of Petit Bagnas, you’ll cross into a nature reserve before reaching the Domaine de Vassal, a living conservatory with grape varieties from around the world.

The ride finishes gently along the Mediterranean, arriving in Sète—a vibrant port town full of canals, colorful boats, and festive energy. Thanks to one-way bike rental with Paulette, all that’s left to do is savor the moment, glass of wine in hand, with the sea before you.