Urban Velo

With a population of under 50,000, Narbonne is hardly a metropolis. However the historic port remains geographically and culturally significant. Established in 118 BC, Narbonne sits near the intersection of the first Roman road in France (that connects Italy and Spain), the Aude River and the Canal du Midi (which links the Atlantic to the Mediterranean).

Perhaps most import to modern cycle tourists, Narbonne is located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, best known for its 740,300 acres of vineyards. And the town’s proximity to the canals makes for easy access to France’s extensive network of cross-country bike paths.

From Narbonne the tour heads to Nîmes. Situated between the larger cities of Montpellier and Marseille (the second largest city in France), Nîmes has a wealth of Roman ruins and fantastic architecture, both ancient and modern.