We leave Toulouse, but not before heading back into the centre-villa to visit a Cycleable store, where Julianna could get her 500-mile tune-up on her new bike which she bought way back in La Rochelle. We do some sightseeing, and then it’s on to the Canal du Midi (rhymes with pretty) which will be our route, more or less, for the next 150 miles. Constructed in the 1600s, this canal is a UNESCO heritage site along its entire length. After a long stretch of city riding, the canal leads us into more pastoral landscapes, with beautiful locks, old arched bridges, and countless canal boats and barges along the way. An overnight in Lauragais, and then more sublime riding along this tree-lined paradise, with a mid-day stop in the delightful village of Catelnaudery. The canal route becomes increasingly rough, and we use Komoot to guide us through some spectacular roads on to the city of Carcassonne, where one of the best preserved fortified medieval cities sits. We check into our room, and find it to have one of the finest views of this ancient citadel right outside on our back balcony. Fabulous!
Music:
Accordion and Glockenspiel Comedy – JK Productions
Pond Five
081716572-accordion-and-glockenspiel-com
a href=”https://www.pond5.com/royalty-free-music/item/81716572-accordion-and-glockenspiel-comedy-short-version”Stock Music/a provided by JK_Production, from a href=“https://www.pond5.com/”Pond5/a
Board It Now – Berny Shepard
Epidemic Sound
A Cloudly Flight – Mica Emory
Epidemic Sound
Paris In Spring – Trabant 33
Epidemic Sound
Forgotten Dreams – Martin Klem
Epidemic Sound
Another Day – George Pauley
Pond Five
a href=”https://www.pond5.com/royalty-free-music/item/59764158-piano-heartwarming-quirky-another-day”Stock Music/a provided by georgepauley, from a href=“https://www.pond5.com/”Pond5/a
What About The French – Taomito
Epidemic Sound
Pretty Little Liar – Candelion
Epidemic Sound
Unbroken Spirit – Sunfish Grove
Epidemic Sound
Choir Hymn – More Than A Family
Epidemic Sound
27 Comments
Very very beautiful again! Love it!
What an incredible view of La Cité! Encroyable!! South of France is great in the fall! And, riding along the Canal du Midi under the plane trees? Trés jolie! And, did I see Julianna eating Rhum Raisin ice cream?!?! That is my favorite! Carcassonne is one of our favorites. Inside the walls is such a tourist trap, but we love it. We stayed inside the walls so we had the mornings and the evenings to ourselves as most people are daytrippers. Thanks for another great episode!
Love traveling ‘with you’. Cycling France looks so appealing
Bonsoir R&J.
Roland, you have a sharp sense of observation, indeed leaving Toulouse, which is to Airbus what Seattle is to Boeing and entering the département de l’Aude, density of population drops significantly down to 55 inhabitants/square Km (half France average) which compares very much with Colorado which population density is also 55 but per square mile.
More about that rough section, which should be fully upgraded by now, tomorrow.
Great way to start the weekend! Beautiful views, learn about a new place in the world for me and watch two great people enjoy life!
Please. Stop perpetuating the global warming myth. Gradual climate change is naturally occuring, not man made. I seem to recall from my grade school days that the planet has been through a couple of ice ages throughout history even before there was a significant human presence.
So love you two and how your living the journey and again THANK YOU!
I notice Julianna have red "opinel"
Another outstanding episode. And thank you for throwing in a date (helps with future planning)
The bird songs were incredible. 🐦🎶🎵🎶
And your view of the castle, breathtaking.
You guys know how to live for sure. Great score on that room and that view in the end. Wow.
I haven't watched all your videos yet, but of the several I've watched this is my favorite so far.
Carcassonne is one of the 34 fortified towns in France but the biggest I think. It's a shock to see it for the first time. I had the same shock seeing your Colorado grand canyon the year 1980….
OMG that last closing shot of the castle made me drop my mouth open with my morning coffee. I literally gasped out loud. What a view, what a way to end the day at your B&B. You never disappoint with the scenery and loving vibe you two have on the bikes and at rest after riding. Goodness, that castle…and that tree lined path when Juliana stopped and turned to the camera, wow. I'm just in awe.
Thanks for this. Brought back happy memories of our similar bike tour. We stayed overnight in Castelnaudary mainly so my husband could eat cassoulet in the town where it originated. We chose a riverboat restaurant and he was not dissappointed. The next day we continued on to Carcassonne and I'll always remember my first view of the fortress from a few miles away, like something out of Disney!
The final shots from your apartment window were lovely, sheer luck you found such a nice place.
We planned a visit to Carcassonne but a good friend said it gets terribly busy with other tourists so we cancelled. I wish we had gone.
I didn't notice as many cycle tourists along the canal, maybe a bit late in the year for the French.
Many thanks for sharing this episode.
Wow, what a way to end the day! Very cool, looks like it would be hard to find your place to stay. It all looks the same, was there a place to check in, or they text or emailed a code to get in. I probably would be lost! But a pretty nice place to stay. Thanks
What a fantastic castle!
You two are such an inspiration!!😊My husband and I truly love your videos. It is sad to say that there are not a whole lot of touring videos. So thankful for yours! ❤
Wow, what a wonderful trip! Thanks once again.
Very nice!
Great touring couple.
Beautiful how well they highlight the locales!
Fun to watch and always entertaining.
Great shared videos!
What a beautiful country and that last nights view was really spectacular. You could probably set there all night just looking. Take care, Al
Another great one. How do you book your rooms? Days ahead or searching the day of? Nice to be flexible but don't like to chance not finding a room. Riding with you. Richard
Bonjour R&J,
Unless it escaped my attention, I am afraid you missed « la plaque commémorative » at « la Maison Éclusière de l’Océan » in memory of President Thomas Jefferson, then US Ambassador in France, visit to the, then, called « le canal Royal du Languedoc à Sète » ( this syntax in French should help Google to find the relevant information)
Jefferson sailed (?) the canal in 1787 and went as far as traveling on a horse back to Saint Ferréol where water is tapped to fill (refill ?) the canal.
Sadly YT doesn’t like me posting links, an earlier comment with a link cut/paste didn’t survive…
Oh, Well.
The view of the castle is jaw dropping! Loved the corridor of trees you rode through. Another wonderful episode. 💜
The most beautiful bicycle tour in the world??!!
Bonjour
I'm back,
after having traveled 415 km(258 miles) in 5 days along the Loire with my friends, everyone is ok, ans ready for the other side of Loire, Next year!
Some lates videos, but It's Always enjoy to see your trail in south of France.
It's crazy what you did, you are an example for people you had AT Time 🤙