Bize to Minerve and back on the Canal du Midi

55 km, moderate.  Not suitable for racing bikes.

A gentle ride to the cathar stronghold of Minerve with a choice of restaurants, then a ride along the gorge of the river Cesse with an exciting descent to Olonzac.  A diversion to Lac de Jouarres for a swim, (don’t forget your trunks!) then back to Bize alongside the Canal du Midi.

Cycling Notes:

 From the bridge in Bize looking upstream, take the D26 on the RHS of the river.

 After 3 km at T junction, turn L D128 SP St Jean de Minervois.

 Keeping the bed of the river Cess on your left, cycle 2 km to the village of Agel.  (The road number will have changed to the D20).

 Stay on the D20 through Agel and continue 4km to Aigues-Vives.

 Cycle through Aigues-Vives, SP Minerve.

 After 2 km at the bottom of a hill, do not turn left to Minerve, but cross the bridge over the river Cess and L into village of La Caunette.

 At the small roundabout next to the restaurant Le Picou, bear left on D10 towards the centre of the village.  Soon you will notice some buildings set into the rock face on the right.  Re-cross the Cess and RT.  Continue 3km to Minerve.

 You can cycle across the bridge into the town.  There are plenty of places for lunch in Minerve.  Our favourite is the Relais Chantovent which has fantastic views over the gorge.  (04 68 91 14 18)

 Re-cross the bridge and R onto the lower road, D10E1 SP Boisset, following the signs to Gorges de la Cesse.  Continue on this stunning road overlooking the gorge.

 4km after Minerve, the road will leave the gorge and after a short incline reach a T junction.  L D182 SP Cesseras.  Freewheel downhill for 3km to Cesseras.  There is a café bar below the church.

 At the X road at the bottom of the village, SA then next R onto small road, called Chemin du Tribi.

 Soon you will pass the Clos des Roques on RHS, then cycle another 1km to the stone cross at the TJunction.  R and cycle 200m to reach a small bridge with green railings.  L onto a track.

 SA for 2km where the track becomes a road at Domaine de Cadriac.

 After 2.5km arrive at the market town of Olonzac.

 At the roundabout, R into the main street.  Pass the Café du Sport on LHS.  100m after the cafe, R at the immoblier “Chayla” opposite the Credit Agricole bank.

 At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit SP Lac de Jouarres.

 SA 500m, then L onto gravel road SP Lac de Jouarres.

Lac de Jouarres

This is a popular swimming spot with lifeguards on duty during July and August.  There is also a restaurant and bar.

 From the bar, follow the track clockwise for about a quarter of the way around the lake until you reach the nature reserve, marked with a green sign “Reserve de Jouarres”.

 Walk down the steps on your left and SA to the Canal du Midi.  Turn left onto the towpath and follow the canal to the port of Homps.

 Go around the port and cross the footbridge over the canal.

 Cycle alongside the canal for 18km.  Always keep the canal on your LHS. You will pass the villages of Argens, Roubia, Paraza, Ventenac and reach the pretty village of Le Somail.

 Cross the canal on the old bridge at Le Somail and continue SA past the Hat Museum on LHS for 800m, then bear right at the fork in the road.  Continue 1km to Mirepeisset.

 Mirepeisset is a small village on the river Cesse.  When you come to the river, follow it downstream with the river on your LHS to the bridge

 Cross the bridge on the D326 and after 50m stop outside the green gates of the large house on the RHS.  Cycle towards a small white building on a field on the LHS of the road.  The track goes past the building, between the trees and the vineyard.  Continue for 200m, then L onto minor road.

 Continue on the minor road for 2.5km, arriving at the busy D5.  Carefully cross this road onto a track.

 Cycle 1km along the track, then R at the give way sign and you will be home in Bize.