I recommend both these books if you plan on walking or cycling in the region. There are many more books to buy locally but unless you can follow instructions in French play it safe and buy one of these beforehand! 

The immediate vicinity 

From Berges du Canal follow the Canal du Midi tow path in either direction and you can walk and cycle for miles. During the summers months it is a joy to follow the Canal as the massive Plane trees provide plenty of shade from the hot sun, and there is always lots to see on the Canal. Head towards the coast and the canal takes you past the UNESCO world heritage site of the nine locks, over the river Orb, and at Villeneuve les Beziers you can pick up the marked cycle path which takes you to Serignan and then Valras Plage, or stay with the Canal and you will end up in Portiragnes. Either way they are both lovely flat cycle routes, and at a steady pace you can reach the Med, have lunch and get back to your accommodation in time for a well earned aperitif!

Follow the Canal du Midi inland, through the village of Colombiers with it's busy little port the scenery gets more rural.

This route takes you through the Malpas tunnel, famous as it was the first time a canal was dug through a hill. If your legs are up to it cycle/walk up to the top of the hill where you will find the Oppidium of Enserune - a pre Roman fortified village. Don't miss the view from here of the the dried lake which was drained in the 13th century. See the Maison du Malpas website for information on these sites. Cycle on and you will reach the pretty village of Poilhes where you can picnic on the banks of the canal. After Poilhes you reach Capestang where you will find a choice of restaurants/bars, the historic church and some good trompe l'oeil. Click here for a pdf map of these routes. (1MB) 

Further afield 

One of our favourite places to mountain bike is Lac Salagou, which is approx an hours drive from Berges du Canal. The route around the lake is highly recommended, but be warned it's 27 km or so and quite technical in parts. There are shorter routes, along with nice walks and the lovely lake to swim in. Click here for a pdf map of Lac Salagou cycle routes. (1.7MB)

Other nearby VTT (mountain biking) routes include Narbonne, Homps, Bessilles near Pezenas and the area near St Pierre la Mer, where you can also windsurf and kitesurf.

Slightly further afield there are miles and miles of routes in the Quillan/Pyrenees area.

As for road cycling the quiet country roads are a joy to cycle.