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All up-to-date conveniences were fitted, including central
heating and air conditioning, and the boat has all the features you could need for a fabulous holiday.
The three cabins are spacious (127 square feet each) and are
light and airy. The accommodation in each can be either twin beds, or queen-sized doubles. They all have fully tiled en-suite bathrooms, with roomy showers. The cabins are well insulated and equipped with wardrobes, full-length mirrors, dressing-tables and storage.
The beautifully decorated saloon is very well appointed, with a fitted bar, a dining area and a "sitting room" with comfortable sofas. There is also a small library, stocked with reference books and novels, and a music center/CD player.
The large sun deck has loungers for lazing away those sunny afternoons, and tables and chairs for all those alfresco meals.
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Itinerary 1 - Montauban to
Agen:
Saturday
We meet around 3 pm, often in Toulouse, and we travel by car
to the Saint Louis. We pass through Granade and Grisolles on
the way, and admire the central market square in both
villages. On arrival at Saint Louis' home port, you are
greeted with a champagne reception on board. After
unpacking, the options include a visit to the local Artisan
Distillerie (making renowned aqua vita and liqueurs from
local fruits), or a stroll around the charming town of
Montech,
or maybe a game of pétanque (boules) beside the boat.
Sunday
After breakfast, we take the car for an excursion around
Montauban, city of art and culture. We see
statues by local artist Bourdelle, we explore cobbled
streets leading to the gorgeous central square, and we
admire the 13th century Pont Vieux (Old Bridge) with its
superb garrison building. We return to the boat, and have
lunch under way as we head to Montech, passing through one
lock before joining the main
Canal de Garonne. At Montech, we pass
down the extraordinary
Montech Water Slope, an engineering marvel that is unique in the world.
After cruising for the afternoon, we moor in the beautiful
port of Castelsarrasin.
Monday
We head off down the canal after breakfast, and after
descending four locks we cross over the River Tarn by means
of an amazing brick-built aqueduct, 30 metres over the
river. A few more locks and we arrive in the port of
Moissac. After lunch, you are taken to one of the
highlights of the trip – Moissac Abbey with its
Cloisters
that are said to be the finest in the world, and the 13th
century church which contains a 10th century organ.
Tuesday
We have breakfast on deck, while passing through the
swing-bridge of Moissac emerging into lovely countryside,
with rolling hills to the right and the River Garonne to the
left. In time for lunch we moor at the peaceful port of
Pommevic – normally we expect to be the only boat in the
port! During the morning we could pass numerous pilgrims
making their way on Christendom’s third most important
pilgrimage route, to the burial site of Saint James at
Santiago di Compostella, which is still 1200 km away at this
point. In the afternoon, we go in the car to nearby
Auvillar,
listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. This
village has a history in which the manufacture and export of
china and quills (for writing) were of major importance – as
so often we see the influence that the River Garonne had as
a trade artery in the world of commerce of yesteryear.
Wednesday
We head off in the morning, having breakfast on the deck
under the plane trees. We pass through
Valence,
and moor for lunch at Lamagistere, surrounded by nothing but
views and peace. In the afternoon, we go to nearby Donzac,
where there is an amazing museum dedicated to the ancient
trades of this corner of France – this is a world class
display, put together with professionalism and humour.
Later, we visit the ancient Bastide village of Dunes, with
lovely half-timbered houses and historical wall-plaques.
Thursday
In the morning, we go in the car to nearby Clermont-Soubiran,
where we have views over the whole Valley of the Garonne,
and where a walk around the outside of the chateau never
fails to impress. We then return to the boat, and cruise
down into the provincial city of
Agen,
where we moor beside well-tended lawns under the houses of
some of the city’s big merchants. If time permits, we visit
the Museum of Fine Arts, right in the middle of old Agen,
which has an amazing collection that includes a number of
Goyas, and a fine Egyptian and Levant collection.
Friday
After a leisurely breakfast on the Saint Louis, you are
taken by car back to your connection in Toulouse, passing
through deep rural countryside with fruit orchards,
sunflowers and vineyards.
On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
Itinerary - Agen to Bordeaux:
Saturday
We meet around 3:00 pm, often in Toulouse
or Agen, and go directly to the Saint Louis which is moored
in the pretty canal basin in Agen. After a short briefing,
we head off downstream. We have champagne on deck while
passing over the remarkable
Agen Aqueduct,
which is France's longest masonry aqueduct and which takes
us over the mighty River Garonne. We pass down four
landscaped locks, while the table on deck is being laid for
our first al fresco dinner on board. After the last lock, we
enter a part of the canal the Captain calls "the Amazon" -
overgrown with trees and bushes on both sides - we eat
dinner surrounded by nature and birdsong. We moor for the
night at the charming little port of
Serignac sur Garonne.
Sunday
Some of our group take an early morning walk through
Serignac, a quaint Bastide village with half-timbered houses and a
church with a most unusual spire. We then cast off, and head
down the canal to
Buzet-sur-Baise,
where we moor under a canopy of plane trees for lunch. After
lunch we head off in the car to visit
Viannes, a remarkable bastide village with an outside fortified
wall almost intact. Viannes is known for glass blowing, and
we visit the last working glass blower and watch the
production of world-class glass wares. Finally we visit
Bruch, another fortified village dating back to the Middle
Ages.
Monday
In the morning we take a short cruise from
Buzet-sur-Baise to Damazan, once again having breakfast on
deck. We then head in the car and drive to
Nerac, where we visit the chateau of King Henri IV, and the old
mediaeval town beside the River Baïse. Later in the
afternoon, we visit a remarkable producer of products of the
grape - wine, Armagnac and Floc de Gascogne - all housed in
a former Benedictine abbey.
Tuesday
After breakfast, we head down the canal,
stopping at Villeton where we visit a museum of farming and
country trades. We have lunch on deck, and arrive
mid-afternoon at
Mas d'Agenais. Here we visit the old roman walls of the town, and the
Romanesque wash-house, before going up to the centre of the
town where we admire the spectacular market square, and
where we visit the 11th century church that contains a
painting by Rembrandt.
Wednesday
In the morning we cruise down the canal under the shade of
plane trees and between fields of sunflowers. We have had
lunch on deck by the time we arrive at the pretty little
port of Meilhan. In the afternoon we go to a
presentation called Gens de Garonne (the people of Garonne)
which in a remarkable way tells the story of the life of the
people living on the side of the River Garonne.
Thursday
Today, we complete our canal journey, cruising through
ever-changing countryside as far as
Castets-en-Dorthe, where there is a little port at the end of the canal. On
the way, we stop at the matchstick museum at
Fontets, and see some remarkable
constructions in matchsticks including a model of the Palace
of Versailles. On arrival at Castets, we take the car to
Roquetaillade, where we visit an inhabited castle that has
been in the hands of the same family for 700 years.
Friday
After a leisurely breakfast, we leave the Saint Louis and
travel by car back to Toulouse (or Bordeaux).
On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.
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Note: This is a sample itinerary: it is subject to modification in the case of unforeseen circumstances such as canal closures. The boat cruises in the opposite direction on alternate weeks. Programmes are being constantly developed and we may modify our overnight stops and excursions without prior notice in order to assure a consistently high standard of moorings and visits. |
Rates 2009:
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Date |
Season |
Region |
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March
28 |
Regular |
South West |
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April
4, 11, 18, 25 |
Regular |
South West |
|
May
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 |
Regular |
South West |
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June
6, 13, 20, 27 |
Regular |
South West |
|
July
4, 11, 18, 25 |
Regular |
South West |
|
August
1, 8, 15, 22, 29 |
Regular |
South West |
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September
5, 12, 19, 26 |
Regular |
South West |
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October
3, 10, 17, 24 |
Regular |
South West |
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Accommodation |
Regular
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Single Cabin Booking (on request) per person share
cabin |
3,208
Euros |
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Charter 4 passengers whole boat |
15,800 Euros |
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Charter 6 passengers whole boat |
17,800 Euros |
Features:
Rates include:
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Accommodation on board the barge
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All meals, table wines and alcoholic beverages
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All sightseeing and admittance fees as stipulated
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Round trip transfers from the meeting point to the barge are also included in the fares
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6 touring bikes on boat
Rates do not include:
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