Cross the Tarn et Garonne by bike, along the Canal des 2 mers

For a superb cycling holiday in the Tarn et Garonne , discover the route along the Voie Verte du Canal des Deux Mers , also known as the Canal de Garonne (V80) .

More than 70 km through Tarn-et-Garonne, from Pompignan to Lamagistère . You will have the pleasure of crossing many towns and unmissable villages of the department. Countryside, architecture , panorama , culture , gourmet breaks, in short, fun and all that, with your bike ! Come on, in the saddle!

The Canal des Deux Mers à Vélo in Tarn-et-Garonne

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Cycling in the Tarn et Garonne

Tarn-et-Garonne is a very pleasant department for cycling , follow the greenway of the Canal des Deux Mers , to ride in peace for a day or several days , stopping in stages to visit some towns and villages . On your itinerary you will discover (from east to west):

• Grisolles
• Montech
• Castelsarrasin
• Moissac
• Valence d'Agen and Auvillar (moving away from the Canal)
• Lamagistère

The Canal des Deux Mers is a route built along the towpath (an old path that once allowed flat-bottomed boats that carried goods to be pulled from the banks) which consists of the Canal du Midi (from Sète to Toulouse ) and the Canal de Garonne (formerly called the Canal Latéral à la Garonne , which goes from Toulouse to Royan). You move on a track which sometimes offers a very good quality coating , but some portions being stony with roots which hinder the road, we recommend that you do it with an ATV or solid hybrid bike ! And to ride without getting tired, opt for an electric bike ! The portion in Tarn-et-Garonne is pleasant and often bordered by hundred-year-old plane trees , offering a saving shade, on very hot days ... There are many benches , you can take a break to admire cyclists, hikers , the wild life of the canal and the boats which circulate the time of a small picnic. Take advantage of your bike trip to stop visiting vineyards , discover the wines of Tarn-et-Garonne , but also to appreciate the tranquility of the small river ports that you will meet on your way ...

Canal des deux mers by bike, in Montech

A few tips: Remember to take enough water with you, to enjoy your two-wheeled peregrinations without running out of fuel. The Canal des Deux Mers is dotted with many villages where you can get supplies . Remember to take a lock , to be able to leave your bikes and go for a walk , stop for a coffee or visit a place during a stage. The Tourist Offices will offer you maps of the Voie Verte , but you can also organize your trip using the dedicated website .

From Pompignan to Moissac

We decided to drive from east to west, crossing the Tarn-et-Garonne from Toulouse, to then continue towards the Lot-et-Garonne in the west. This magnificent journey begins with the crossing of Grisolles , a city which has more importance than you might think in our daily life… Indeed it is in Grisolles that we manufactured (until 1998) the brooms of Sorghum , those braided with yellow straw! More than 40 factories were devoted to this production. Take a stroll through this small village and visit the Calbet Museum to find out more.

Then take your bike back to the town of Montech . There you will see the boat lift dating from 1974: La Pente d'eau . Out of service for 11 years, its restoration is underway until 2021 and since the summer of 2020, visitors can discover the new machinery. The water slope was designed at the time, to replace a set of 5 successive locks. A considerable grain of time, at a time when the waterway was the most used for the transport of goods . It is a site steeped in history, which tells you through a scenic walk , the past of this place.

In Montech, you can connect with the V85, the Véloroute Vallée du Tarn-Causses-Sud Cévennes and join Montauban for a small gourmet detour in the vineyards and in this pretty town. The works are still in progress, there are some sections of road before joining the secure route for two wheels.

You then arrive in Castelsarrasin , a pretty town in bloom. You will cross an Eiffel-style metal footbridge , which spans the Canal. All around, it is a pleasant tourist port where you can stroll. Leave the bikes and go discover the architectural heritage of this pleasant city: The Renaissance House, the Lamothe-Cadillac Hotel, the Abbé des Prades House, the rue de la discretionion and the rue de la solitude typical of the Middle Ages ...

Just before arriving at Moissac, you will cross the Pont Canal du Cacor , take advantage of it because it is not every day that you cross a waterway (Le Tarn), on a bridge filled with water !

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Visit of Moissac

Moissac is one of the three large towns of Tarn-et-Garonne, with Montauban and Castelsarrasin. Its two main assets are the Abbey of Saint-Pierre, which is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, as part of the Saint-Jacques de Compostelle routes, as well as the cloister with its 76 capitals.

Read our report on the town of Moissac!

Entrance to the Abbey is free and unmissable, it's splendid, you will surely be impressed by its huge walls, painted with shades of yellow ocher. Once out, turn around to admire the large Romanesque portal , the carved details are incredible. Access to the cloister is chargeable, but I recommend that you enter! It dates from the Romanesque period , it is one of the largest and best preserved. If the sun is shining, it will pass through the galleries through the capitals (observe the pillars richly carved with figures in low relief), giving the place a soft atmosphere…

Moissac is also known for the PDO Chasselas grape. For wine tourism enthusiasts, you can have a tasting at the art-deco style UVarium kiosk which will offer you drinks with or without alcohol, or directly from one of the producers in the area .

From Moissac to Lamagistère

The rest of the route is in the Garonne valley . It is a pleasant portion where to discover small picturesque villages . After Moissac, you will arrive in Valence-d'Agen , a 13th century English country house where water is the most important element in the city! It is surrounded by wetlands and energized by its port on the canal . Stroll around to discover the wash houses and small fountains . In summer, Valence-D'agen is a worthwhile stopover, thanks to its many festive events . Take advantage of the Tuesday morning market and from November, it's the fat market , perfect for stocking up on good things.

A few kilometers away, it is a good idea to leave the Voie Verte du Canal des Deux Mers, to discover Auvillar , with its circular grain market (a must-see, quite atypical!). It is a city of artists , you can visit workshops and enjoy a beautiful point of view at the top of the village.

Read our report on this picturesque village!

You are almost at the end of your cycling holiday , you will pass through Lamagistère , an old port, bordering the Lot-et-Garonne. You have traveled a beautiful portion of Tarn-et-Garonne, discovered typical pearls and probably tasted delicious regional specialties ! Has it probably made you want to continue the Canal des Deux Mers by bike? And why not continue to Royan, in the direction of Lot-et-Garonne?

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Report produced in partnership with Jenny Diab JDRoadTrip

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