Saint Louis, a deluxe 6 passenger owner-operated barge, cruises in Southwest France.

SAINT LOUIS, a pristine deluxe barge, cruises the little known, yet beautiful, Canal de Garonne in southwest France. Just east of Bordeaux, it traverses through the historic lands of Aquitaine and Gascony. With hosts and owners, Alasdair and Barbara Wyllie on board, the friendly crew ensures that your barge cruise vacation is happily customized around your interests. Daily guided excursions to local sites immerse guests in regional history and culture.

Peace and tranquility exude as Saint Louis passes through lush green countryside, pretty villages and memorable port towns on this quiet canal. Local French cuisine is lovingly prepared with fresh local produce accompanied by local wines and aperitifs.

The Bordeaux wine region and the Dordogne valley are ideal pre or post cruise visits to round out a unique and beautiful vacation in southwest France.

Cruise Highlights


Delectable salads for lunch

 Typical Cuisine on Board

Here on the Saint Louis, the French food tradition has become an integral part of the barging experience. Whether enjoying your meal in the wood-panelled salon or alfresco on the sun deck, the cuisine will remind you that you are in a part of the world where food is treated lovingly and seriously.

The superb food on board is largely based on traditional recipes from this region of France prepared with international additions and a twist of our native Scotland. Ingredients are prepared fresh from our local suppliers on a daily basis. Beautifully prepared by our resident chef, duck, foie gras and seafood are thus among the basics of the cuisine. Dietary preferences, vegetarian and special dietary needs are always respected.



2012 SAINT LOUIS 
Two itineraries on the
Canal de Garonne
Southwest France


Excursions are gladly customized
around guests' interests

  • Montauban to Agen
    - Local artisan distillerie
    - Montech water slope
    - Montauban, city of art and culture
    - Port town of Castelsarrasin
    - Traverse the aqueduct over the River Tarn
    - Moissac and its beautiful abbey
    - Auvillar, one of the most beautiful villages in France
    - A variety of options below.
    - Walking and biking

  • Agen to Castets-en-Dorthe
    - Amazing aqueduct over the River Garonne
    - Medieval villages of Sainte Colombe, Bruch, and Clermont Dessous
    - Chateau of King Henri IV
    - Private visit to artisan wine barrel-making studio
    - Buzet wine producing cooperative
    - Presentation of Gens de Garonne showing the life of people along the river
    - Roquetaillade, to visit an inhabited castle that has been in the same family for 700 years

Dining with friends and family on board Saint Louis

 

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary #1
Montauban to Agen

All excursions can be customized for guests' interests

Saturday - Toulouse Transfer to Barge
We meet around 3 pm, often in Toulouse, and 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.

The riverside town of Montauban

Sunday – Toulouse to Castelsarrasin
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 will usually 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 – Castelsarrasin to Moissac
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. In addition, Saint Louis can leave the canal at Moissac, for a short cruise on the River Tarn and the River Garonne. This option is unique among hotel barges in France.

Tuesday – Moissac to Pommevic
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 – we usually 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 Spanish 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.

The canal is quiet, scenic and great for walking or biking

Wednesday – Pommevic to Lamagistere
We head off in the morning, having breakfast on 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 – Lamagistere to Agen
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 – Transfer to Toulouse
After a leisurely breakfast on the Saint Louis, you are taken by car back to your connection in Toulouse (or elsewhere), passing through deep rural countryside with fruit orchards, sunflowers and vineyards.

Other possible visits include:
- A wine tasting at a Fronton vineyard – one of south west France’s hidden secrets. 
- The Abbey de Belleperche, just beside the mighty River Garonne.
- A genuine Roman bridge – hidden away and not part of any tourist route.
- The Bastide town of Lauzerte – full of history and surprises.
- The 11th century church at Lachappelle – modified in a baroque style and unique in France.
- A working goat farm, where you can see a commercial herd of goats being milked, and the milk made into cheese.
- A museum to Lamothe-Cadillac, in the house of his birth – this is the man who founded Detroit and whose name and coat of arms appears on many cars today!
- A visit to an extraordinary winery in Cotes de Brulhois, that has been in the same family for 300 years and where innovative wines from the early 1700’s are once again being produced.


Sample Itinerary #2
Agen to Castets-en-Dorthe

All excursions can be customized for guests' interests

Saturday – Toulouse Transfer to Barge
The Captain of the Saint Louis meets us in Toulouse at 3.00 p.m. at our pre-arranged meeting place, and we are driven to Boë which is just on the outskirts of Agen.  We opt to take the scenic route for the drive, which takes us through gorgeous countryside and the towns of Castelsarrasin and Moissac.  On arrival at the boat we settle in to our comfortable cabins, then after a short safety briefing there is a champagne reception followed by the first of many sumptuous dinners.

Sunday – Boë – Serignac
After breakfast, we cruise through the centre of the pretty city of Agen.  On leaving the city, we pass over the most remarkable aqueduct which takes us over the River Garonne – this is France’s longest masonry aqueduct.  We then descend a chain of four locks to arrive at a beautiful overgrown stretch of the canal which is nicknamed the “Amazon”.  At the end of our day’s cruise we moor in the pretty port of Serignac-sur-Garonne.  In the afternoon we are taken on an excursion to three fabulous medieval villages called Sainte Colombe, Bruch, and Clermont Dessous – the last village having a superb view across the Garonne valley.  We arrive back at the port in time to have a stroll through the village of Serignac before aperitifs and dinner.

The beautiful aqueduct over the Garonne River

Monday – Serignac – Buzet – Nerac
In the morning we cruise through beautiful unspoiled countryside before arriving at the delightful port of Buzet-sur-Baïse.  After lunch, we are taken on an excursion to the beautiful town of Nérac on the River Baïse, where we visit the Château of King Henry IV and the old medieval quarter of the town with its Roman bridge.  Later, we are taken on a fabulous visit to an Armagnac producer, based in an old Benedictine monastery;  here we see the old chapel, where the Armagnac is aged, and we learn of the rich history of this property and the family that looks after it.

Tuesday – Buzet – Mas d’Agenais
After breakfast, we are taken on a visit to a barrel-makers, where the owners of the works have set up a viewing platform over the shop floor, and we are treated to an almost ballet-like performance of highly organised craftsmen using very high technology and traditional skills.  This private visit is memorable, not least because of the charm and dedication to his craft of the owner who takes us round.  On our way back to the boat we call in on the famous Buzet wine producing cooperative.  We have lunch on the sun-deck as we cruise down the canal, through the port of Damazan and under shady avenues of plane trees, to arrive at our port of Le Mas d’Agenais.  At Le Mas we moor close to the Roman walls of the town, and we take a walk up into the town itself, where among other things we see the timber market building which was constructed in 1616, and we visit the church which is full of historic treasures, including an original Rembrandt masterpiece.

Wednesday – Mas d’Agenais – Meilhan
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.

Total relaxation and pampering by your friendly hosts

Thursday – Meilhan – Castets-en-Dorthe – Roquetaillade
In the morning we head down the canal, cruising once again through superb countryside and under a canopy of plane trees.  We arrive and moor at our cruise destination, Castets-en-Dorthe.  It is here that the canal finishes, and there are massive locks taking boats down onto the River Garonne.  In the afternoon we are taken on an excursion to Château Roquetaillade, which is full of surprises.  This château has remained in the same family for 700 years, and it was extensively refurbished by Villeton le Duc, of Palais du Versailles fame.  On our way back to the boat, we pass by Langon, where we see a phenomenon of an entirely different era  -  this is the Airbus holding yard where massive parts of the new A380 aircraft are assembled at the end of their sea journey, before embarking on their land journey to Toulouse for final assembly.

Toulouse, known as the pink city because of its brick architecture

Friday – Toulouse/Bordeaux
After a leisurely breakfast, our bags are loaded in the vehicle, fond goodbyes are made to the crew, and we are taken back to Toulouse for our onward journey.

Other possible visits include:
- The medieval bastide town of Vianne, with its protective fortified wall.
- The Roman bridge and the fortified mill at Barbaste
- The superb Château at Cazeneuve
- The wine centre of Duras, together with Château Duras
- The Musée des Beaux Arts at Agen, home to a number of Goyas.
- The cork museum at Mézin
- The Lot Valley, with pretty towns such as Clairac

Floor Plan

 Saint Louis has 3 twin or queen cabins
Saint Louis has 3 twin or queen cabins at 127 sq. ft.

This is a barge is owner-operated by Alasdair and Barbara Wyllie