Saint Louis offers two itineraries – the West ‘Bordeaux’ Route and the East ‘Toulouse’ Route on select dates. Both routes meet in the town of Boe near Agen, middle point between Bordeaux and Toulouse. The West Bordeaux route is between Meilhan sur Garonne (Castets en Dorthe) and Serignac (Boe). The East Toulouse route is between Lacourt St. Pierre (Montauban) and Boe. Please contact us for details
JOINING AND LEAVING THE CRUISE:
Cruise Direction Castets to Serignac: Pick-up location: Bordeaux; Departure locations: Agen train station or alternatively Toulouse or Bordeaux
Cruise Direction Serignac to Castets: Pick-up locations: Agen train station or alternatively Toulouse or Bordeaux; Departure location: Bordeaux
Saturday Day 1: Meilhan sur Garonne
Transfer to the barge to arrive around 5:00pm. Champagne reception upon arrival, then time to settle in, get to know your crew, a short safety briefing and a general talk through the itinerary for the week.
Sunday Day 2: Fourques-sur-Garonne
After breakfast we enjoy a short cruise to the first lock where we disembark the barge and drive to the beautiful town of St. Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We visit the underground church, meander through the ancient cobbled streets soaking up the history and atmosphere and then enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of the local restaurants. Afterwards we go for a private wine tasting with our wine merchant, one of the most respected distributors of fine wines in the region. We learn about the history of the region, how to taste wine, about terroir and how it effects wine and about the great St Emilion vineyards. We return to the barge which has moved on to our evening mooring at Fourques for dinner.
Monday Day 3: Le Mas d'Agenais & La Falotte
After breakfast we cruise along the tree lined canal to the picturesque village of Le Mas d'Agenais where we moor for lunch and a visit to the village and its famous 12th Century church with its very own original Rembrandt! After lunch we set off to the world-renowned region of Sauternes for a visit and tasting at the Premier Grand Crus Chateau d'Arche. We will learn about the making of this famous wine variety, why Sauternes has developed as it has, its micro-climate and terroir and the processes that make Sauternes so highly prized before returning to the barge for dinner. The barge will have moved on to La Falotte, a private mooring with beautiful gardens and a semi-precious gem museum that guests may visit while dinner is being prepared.
Tueday Day 4: Buzet
This morning's tour is to an Armagnac producer situated in a 12th Century Monastery where we learn about the history of Armagnac, the production process and enjoy a tasting. On our way back to the barge we stop in Nerac, an 11th Century town with its castle, Chateau Henry IV, the Royal Residence of the Lords of Albret. Alain d'Albret was the Great Grandfather of Henry IV. If time permits we can explore this beautiful town and enjoy a coffee together. In the afternoon we cruise to Buzet Port and moor for the evening.
Wednesday Day 5: Serignac
Today's visit is to a 3rd generation barrelmaker to see at first hand how the barrels, such an important part of the wine making process, are made. You will learn about the complexities and manufacturing methods of this traditional craft and how the barrel affects the development of the wine. Afterwards, if time permits we visit the bastide town of Vianne and learn about the history of bastides and their part in the early social development of the area. Lunch on board is followed by our afternoon cruise to Serignac.
Thursday Day 6: Boe
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then a beautiful drive through rich countryside brings us to the world renowned Lily Gardens at Temple sur Lot that were founded in 1875 by Latour Marliac and both inspired and provided Monet with his lilies. We arrive in time to enjoy a leisurely stroll around the ponds and gardens before lunch overlooking the lake. Afterwards we return to pick up the barge for the final cruise across the magnificent aqueduct, on through Agen and into Boe Port, our final mooring.
Friday Day 7: Boe
After breakfast depart the barge for transfer onwards.
Route runs in reverse on alternate weeks and may differ on selected cruise dates
Saint Louis
The 6-passenger Saint Louis cruises in "casual luxury" the beautiful calm waterways of South West France, including the historic lands of Aquitaine and Gascony. Saint Louis is available for individual cabin bookings but she is primarily a private charter barge ideally suited to small group...Rates are for 6 nights (Saturday departure to following Friday) per person and based on double occupancy per cabin unless noted as whole barge private charter
Not Available!
