Discover Toulouse and its surroundings by motorbike

Renting a motorbike in Toulouse for a road trip in its surroundings is a good idea, but the Pink City is worth spending a few days in. Always very lively, it also reveals a beautiful heritage, between the Saint-Sernin basilica and its Romanesque architecture and the Capitole square surrounded by beautiful pink brick buildings. On the hottest days, you should not miss a stroll along the quays of the Garonne and at another time a cruise on the mythical Canal du Midi. You can also go to the Carmes market to stock up on good regional products. And then, for culture, several museums offer exhibitions that make you travel through the ages, such as the Saint-Raymond museum, which focuses on ancient history, and the Abattoirs museum, dedicated to contemporary art. And then, how can you miss a visit to the Cité de l'Espace, a unique place dedicated to astronomy and astronautics. Before getting your motorbike back on the road, you can spend a few nights at the Citiz Hotel, ideally located and with a contemporary design decor. To eat, a very nice address to remember is La Cuisine de Jean, in the Rangueil-Saouzelong district. The food is fresh and seasonal, and you can enjoy fresh duck liver fried in a pan as well as a beautiful clam au gratin with parsley butter

The motorcycle road trip starts with the charming town of Castelnaudary in mind. We cross the beautiful countryside of Toulouse until we reach the city which dominates the plain of Lauragais. Its time of glory in the 16th and 17th centuries has left some superb monuments to be seen. Let's mention the gothic collegiate church of Saint-Michel which dominates the town, the chapel of Notre-Dame de Pitié and its set of 10 carved wooden panels and the mill of Cugarel. To regain strength, a gourmet stop can be made at the Clos Fleuri, which offers sumptuous dishes and of course the flagship recipe of the town: cassoulet! To digest, a walk can take place once again along the Canal du Midi, the ideal place to settle down under the coolness of the plane trees and doze off with a book in hand. For a good night's sleep and to park your motorbike in an enclosed area, the Domaine La Malvirade awaits travellers, with bright rooms in an old farmhouse typical of the region, and with a swimming pool. A visit to Castelnaudary is also an opportunity to visit the sublime Benedictine abbey of Saint-Papoul, a peaceful place at the foot of the Montagne Noire. The village of Saint-Papoul is also remarkable, with its medieval town and its stone and half-timbered houses.

Then head for Carcassonne for a few days and an enchanting interlude. What a joy to settle in the heart of the fortified city that played such an important role in the founding of the country! We start by settling in the guest room Aux Anges Gardiens to enjoy the beautiful setting of an 18th century mansion with swimming pool. The owners are always happy to give you information on what to see and do in the area. Then the walk can begin in the largest medieval city in Europe! The ramparts, the château comtal, the basilica of Saint-Nazaire: each discovery is a treat for lovers of ancient architecture. Around Carcassonne, a multitude of hikes await the walkers in the Aude Cathar Country, in the Black Mountain and in the Minervois. You will discover a flora and fauna that smells of the south of France and the not so distant presence of the Mediterranean. In Carcassonne, you can take advantage of a gourmet stopover at 37 to taste fresh and regional products and to delight your taste buds with bistronomic cuisine. On another day, you can walk along the road punctuated by vineyards and garrigue to reach the Limousis cave, its lakes and its amazing geological formations. And if the heat is too much, swimming is possible not far from Carcassonne at the Lac de la Cavayère, which also offers water skiing and a beautiful walk around the lake.

While in Carcassonne, the opportunity is too good not to get closer to the Mediterranean. That's why the motorcycle itinerary takes us to Narbonne in the Aude, located in the heart of the Narbonnaise en Méditerranée Regional Nature Park. The historic centre and the Cité district, separated by the Canal de la Robine, reveal vestiges of antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The Museum of Art and History, the Archaeological Museum, the Lapidary Museum, the Roman Horreum Museum: there are countless places to go to learn more about the history of this incredible historic city. All these possibilities of visit will inevitably open the appetite, then you should not miss to settle down at a table Chez Lulu to enjoy generous plates and a 100% home cooking, like the black pig in the medieval way. In Narbonne, it is possible to reserve places in secure car parks to park your motorbike. You can then quietly go to the Hôtel de France, which is very popular for its boarding house spirit in the heart of a large 19th century bourgeois house. During this stay under the Occitan sun, you can also go to Narbonne-Plage and its 5 km of fine sand on the edge of the sea to enjoy the sea

When leaving Narbonne to head north, it is advisable to leave early in the morning to reach the super abbey of Fontfroide, a treasure of the Middle Ages located on the first foothills of the Corbières. The architectural ensemble, the serenity of the gardens, the green nature around: the place leaves its mark. Then you drive for a while to Castres, the little Venice of Languedoc. You can visit some of the city's treasures from a boat on the Agout river. This is the perfect time to photograph the pastel-coloured half-timbered houses, which are former workshops of paper, leather and wool craftsmen. The town also has some superb Renaissance mansions. After a meal in the restaurant Aux Couleurs Gourmandes, which offers a variety of cuisine at very affordable prices, you can then go to the Sidobre rocks for a walk in the heart of a land of stone unique in Europe. The site can be explored on foot, by bike or on horseback, all ways to discover the secrets of these mysterious blocks of stone balanced in the middle of nature. You will feel so good in Castres that you will not hesitate to put your bags down at the Domaine de la Vivarié guest house, whose colourful rooms are located in a sublime 17th century manor house. The stay can then end, with a return to Toulouse to drop off the bike at the agency.

Motorcycle travellers can get information on sightseeing and good tips by contacting the tourist offices in Toulouse, Castelnaudary Lauragais, Carcassonne, Narbonne and Castres-Mazamet. For more information on motorcycle rentals in Toulouse, visit the Yamaha Rent website.