The “Canal des Deux Mers”, comprising of the Canal de Garonne and the Canal du Midi, links the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, passing through the region of L’Occitanie – a veritable palette of colours and scents created by orchards and vineyards. On our cruise through Gascony along the Canal de Garonne, we visit medieval fortified ‘bastides’ such as Valence d’Agen, learn about and taste some of the region’s wonderful local products and pass picturesque villages and quaint farms.
Sunday, Day 1 Agen
Guests are met in Toulouse and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Rosa. Following a champagne welcome, there is time for a stroll around the port of Agen before your first dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 Agen to Valence d’Agen
This morning we visit Domaine Lapeyrade for private tastings of their esteemed Armagnac and Floc du Gascogne wines in delightful surroundings, before touring the nearby medieval town of Nérac and its castle, once home to Henry IV of France. After lunch on board we enjoy a leisurely cruise through the bucolic countryside to Valence d’Agen, an 18th century "Bastide" town with its Palladian canalside public wash-house and arcaded market place. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 Valence d’Agen to Moissac
After breakfast, we visit the 11th century Château de Gourdourville before a drive to Auvillar, a beautiful medieval red-stone village perched high on the side of a gorge above the River Garonne and renowned for its circular 17th century covered market. Return to the hotel barge for lunch, then an afternoon cruise on the River Tarn takes us to the nautical base of St. Livrade, perhaps for some swimming or canoeing, before rising up from the river and turning west on the brick-lined canal to Moissac. This evening, maybe after a game of boules, we stroll ashore to savour regional specialties at the excellent restaurant ‘Le Florentin’, in front of the spectacular entrance portal of the abbey.
Wednesday, Day 4 Moissac to Castelsarrasin
This morning, we visit the UNESCO-classified Abbaye St-Pierre de Moissac, one of the architectural highlights of the region, founded in the 7th century with its wonderfully preserved cloisters and chapel, and explore the charming town with its abundance of arts and crafts workshops. After lunch, we continue our cruise towards Castelsarrasin crossing the River Tarn via the 1,000 foot long aqueduct, the Pont Canal du Cacor. Dinner on board.
Thursday, Day 5 Castelsarrasin to Montech
After breakfast, we visit Castelsarrasin's morning market, just 50 metres from our mooring. Then a short drive takes us to the Ferme des Jauberts at Angeville where we can tour the estate and taste the foie gras of Eric Couderc. After lunch on board, a leisurely cruise to Montech allows us to enjoy the hotel barge’s sundeck, or walk and cycle along the towpath. We also tour the remarkable inclined Water Plane, an amazing feat of engineering that by-passes five locks and, when back in service in the near future, will lower vessels 43 feet all in one go. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 Montech to Montauban
This morning Rosa meanders down the flight of ten locks on the beautiful and recently-restored branch canal skirting the Forest of Agre and moors in the port of the historical town of Montauban. In the afternoon we head into the Côtes du Frontonnais wine region in the minibus for a wine tasting at the renowned Château Bellevue la Fôret. Our introduction to the outstanding cuvée ‘Optimum’ is in the skilled hands of Diane Germain, the Boston-educated daughter of the house. Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 Montauban
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus back to their choice of location inToulouse
* This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction
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Sunday, Day 1 Castet-en-Dorthe
Guests are met in Bordeaux and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Rosa. Following a champagne welcome, there is time for a stroll before returning for your first dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 Castet-en-Dorthe to Meilhan-sur-Garonne
This morning is spent cruising the picturesque canal, following the River Garonne, to the port of Meilhan-sur-Garonne. In the afternoon, we visit the medieval town of Saint Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site and centre of the most famous of the Bordeaux appellations. Later, we stop at Château Beau-Sejour-Becot, producer of premier and grand crus wines, where we discover the secrets of the vine and, of course, enjoy a tasting. Dinner on board.
Tuesday, Day 3 Meilhan-sur-Garonne to Le Mas d’Agenais
After breakfast, we cruise to the charming little village of Le Mas d'Agenais. During the cruise you can cycle or walk the tow path and enjoy the stunning countryside. In the afternoon, we visit the 14th century Château de Duras, an architectural wonder, which has been both a fortress and a stately home over its 900-year history. We wander through its 35 rooms and museum before returning to the hotel barge. Dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 Le Mas d’Agenais to Buzet-sur-Baise
This morning we depart early and enjoy the colourful market of Marmande and the Church of Our Lady with its French gardens and Renaissance cloisters. We then cruise to Damazan, a pretty fortified village with pastel-coloured houses. After lunch we visit the pretty village of Le Mas d’Agenais. Its 11th century church has a beautiful Romanesque doorway and an original masterpiece by Rembrandt. We then visit a cheese workshop, where you can see the different stages of manufacture and enjoy a tasting of goats' cheeses, including some flavoured with ash and chilli. Dinner ashore at a local auberge.
Thursday, Day 5 Buzet-sur-Baise to Serignac-sur-Garonne
In the morning, we visit the traditional cooperage of St. Martin, where we discover the secrets of making the barrels that enhance the great wines of Bordeaux. We then head to the 13th century bastide village of Vianne and on to Barbaste with its fortified mill protected by four square towers, and the nearby 12th century bridge with its 12 curved arches. The afternoon is devoted to relaxation and cruising further along the canal to our mooring at Serignac-sur-Garonne. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 Serignac-sur-Garonne to Boé
We start the day with a visit to the medieval town of Nerac and tread in the footsteps of King Henry IV and Queen Margot. The château was built in the 15th century but much was destroyed during the French Revolution and today only the impressive north wing remains. We then stop at the Lapeyrade estate for a cellar tasting of Armagnac, the oldest alcohol in France. In the afternoon, we cruise towards our final destination of Boé, crossing the Plan Canal d’Agen, one of the longest aqueducts in France which spans the River Garonne. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday, Day 7 Boé
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Bordeaux.
*This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction
European
Waterways - Rosa Hotel Barge 2017 Rates 
