Canal du Midi Experience 2026

Did you think the Canal du Midi was just about locks and peaceful ducks? 🦆 Wrong! In May, it will become the stage for an XXL sports and human adventure: the Canal du Midi Experience. Imagine: linking Toulouse to Béziers alongside the most beautiful canal in France. Yes, the one with the hundred-year-old plane trees 🌳 and the barges 🚤 slower than 🐌. Spoiler: you'll overtake them running, and it'll do wonders for your ego 😎. And about the weather? You'll be blessed by the gods ☀️: blue skies, mild warmth, light breeze, and a southern vibe at every turn. If the Autan wind picks up a bit… Let's say it's its way of cheering you on 💨. In short, perfect conditions to live an adventure you'll remember for a long time 🙌.

The principle is simple (on paper, at least): 2 days, 5 runners per team, 20 stages, a mythical canal and breathtaking landscapes 😮‍💨. It's the perfect event for those who love running and pushing themselves with friends nearby. No way to do it all solo (we're crazy, but not suicidal 😅). Each runner completes 4 relays: two on Saturday, two on Sunday. While you run, your teammates follow, cheer, or prepare for the next relay. In short, it's a true collective adventure 💪 where everyone plays their part for the group's success. Start is in Toulouse, the rose city, the capital of the violet. Before sweating 😰, take time to enjoy ice cream 🍦 or a coffee ☕️ on the Place du Capitole, visit the Basilique Saint-Sernin, and stroll along the Quai de la Daurade. It's time to fill up on positive energy before the adventure ⚡️. Once started, your team will head towards Castelnaudary, then Carcassonne, and finally Béziers, along this famous waterway conceived by Pierre-Paul Riquet. Along the way, you'll pass postcard sceneries: the locks of the Naurouze threshold, the vineyards of Minervois, and the beauty of the port of Béziers ⚓️. Each section immerses you in the best of the Southwest, amid nature, heritage, chocolate croissants 🥐 (yes, there they call them chocolatines 👀), and authenticity. It's the kind of track where you find yourself slowing down just to admire the view, before remembering that your teammates are waiting at the next relay! 😅 The towpath is quite smooth, perfect for covering kilometers without too much suffering. But watch out: the cobbled sections can jolt your ankles 🦶. And then there are the locks, the bridges, the sleepy little villages you'll awaken as you pass ⏰. Some sections are more technical than others, particularly with roots along the path, but nothing insurmountable if you're somewhat prepared 💪. It's this little spice 🌶️ that makes the race interesting, this mix of ease and challenge that keeps you focused from start to finish 🙇.

As you follow the canal, all five of you will cross absolutely charming little Occitan villages 🏘️. First gourmet stop: Castelnaudary, which is more of a small town than a village. It's THE world capital of Cassoulet 🏆: white beans, duck confit, Toulouse sausage, all simmered for hours in its earthenware casserole 🍲. It's not light, but after running, you'll have earned it! A few kilometers later, Carcassonne and its medieval city await you for a real journey back in time! 😍 Ramparts, towers, cobblestone streets... It's like being in Rapunzel but in the south of France version. The view from the ramparts is just amazing, especially at sunset (good thing, you'll arrive just in time) 🌅. And if you're a fan of good wines, you're in for a treat: the vineyards of Minervois and Corbières 🍇 are just around the corner (but always in moderation, there are still kilometers to cover!). Along the course, between two strides, you'll also discover the nine locks of Fonseranes near Béziers, a 17th-century engineering masterpiece 🏗️ that will remind you this canal has quite a history. Not to forget the small marinas where boats are moored, stone bridges spanning the canal, and the flower gardens of manor houses... 💐 Each kilometer has its share of discoveries 📸, and you'll understand why this canal is UNESCO World Heritage listed. Beyond the legendary cassoulet, you'll have the chance to taste the fougasse (a local orange blossom-flavored brioche 🥐), the small pâtés from Pézenas (sweet and savory pies with lamb, a killer dish invented by Molière's cook, no less!), and the region's wines that pair perfectly with all these treasures. Don't forget the garrigue honey, Béziers olives, and sheep cheeses from the Pyrenees which are never far away 🧀. In short, in terms of gastronomy, you won't be disappointed with the journey!

So sailors runners, get ready to board the Canal du Midi! 🧑‍✈️