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Barge Cruises in France ~
Aquitaine
- Garonne
Cruise
through Aquitaine and sample the local food and wines.
Cruise
the canals of southwestern France aboard a newly refitted 8-passenger barge-hotel
(7 days - 6 nights). Visit
historic Montauban and the ancient abbey of Moissac. Wine and dine on foie gras,
cassoulet, confit de canard (duck confut) and Armagnac brandy. This
barge cruise offers all the comforts of luxury travel with your onboard personal
chef. Go with the flow, relax and have fun... slowly. 
TYPICAL
BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary) The
itinerary below is for individual travelers. If the barge is chartered by a group
or a family, the itinerary can be changed to go south to Carcassonne, instead
of Agen. Please contact us
for details. Day
1 - Sunday: Montauban. Meet
at the designated meeting point and transfer to the barge moored in Montauban.
Champagne welcome and tour of this beautiful old town on the banks of the River
Tarn. Dinner on board the barge.
Day
2 - Monday: Montauban to Montech. This
morning the barge winds its way around the rustic countryside and up ten locks,
before reaching the little town of Montech. In the afternoon you'll head into
the Côtes du Frontonnais region, for a wine tasting at the renowned Chateau
Bellevue la Foret. Back at the barge you may try your hand at a leisurely game
of "petanque" (the French equivalent of bocce ball) before a gourmet
dinner on board the barge. Day
3 - Tuesday: Montech to Castelsarrasin. This
morning, awake to the hustle and bustle of the weekly local market and, after
breakfast, follow the barge's chef on his food buying tour. Next, brace yourself
for an incredible experience: the barge will negotiate the most unusual lock on
any canal in France - the inclined "water plane" of Montech. This amazing
feat of engineering lowers the barge some 40 feet all in one gigantic slide! Next
stop is Castelsarrasin and, after a short drive to the Ferme des Jauberts in Angeville,
tour and taste the foie gras of Eric Couderc, paired with some fine local Armagnac
brandy. Dinner on board the barge. Day
4 - Wednesday:
Castelsarrasin to Moissac. After breakfast, cross over the River Tarn
via a 1,000-foot-long aqueduct and descend towards Moissac through a series of
four locks built in close succession as a "water staircase." Afternoon
option of a cruise to St. Nicolas de la Grave for some swimming or canoeing, OR
a visit of Moissac's 7th-century abbey and its wonderfully preserved cloisters
and chapel. This evening you can stroll ashore to savor some regional specialties
at the acclaimed restaurant "Le Pont Napoleon." Day
5 - Thursday:
Moissac to Valence D’Agen. This morning's cruise will feature
the mighty Garonne River on one side of the canal and the foothills of the Quercy
mountain range on the other. Mooring at Pommevic. After lunch drive to Auvillar,
a 15th-century village perched high on the side of a gorge above the Garonne and
famous for its potteries. Return to the barge and cruise to Valence d'Agen for
a tour of the old "bastide" town with its Palladian canal-side public
wash-house and arcaded market place. Dinner on board the barge. Day
6 - Friday: Valence D’Agen to Agen. Morning
cruise through the bucolic countryside to Lamagistère. Then on to Donzac
with its museum of traditional trades, to see the extensive exhibition centered
around the local rural lifestyle. Back to the barge for a leisurely cruise to
the historic town of Agen. After lunch, visit the Chateau du Frandat for private
tastings of their excellent Armagnac, Floc du Gascogne and Buzet wines. Captain's
farewell dinner on board the barge. Day
7 - Saturday:
Agen. After breakfast, transfer to the designated drop off point.
On
alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is
subject to change without notice.
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Included - Accommodations
with private bath or shower and all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on
day 7
- Wine
with lunch and dinner and selected alcoholic beverages consumed aboard the barge
- Sightseeing
excursions
- Round
trip transfers from/to specified meeting points
Not
Included - Transportation
to and from Toulouse
- Health
and travel insurance
- Barge
crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
- Superior
vintage wines
- Personal
expenses
- Optional
activities when available
- Other
items not specifically listed under "Included" above
Barge
Features -
4 cabins:
2 twins and 2 doubles (8 passengers)
- 4
crew members
- Cabin
size: from 92 to 110 sf
- Length:
98 ft
- Sundeck
- Air
conditioning and central heating
- Air-conditioned
minibus for excursions
Cruise
Departures Every
Sunday subject to availability (except winter).
DEPARTURES
AND PRICES BOOK
YOUR CRUISE [top]
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