Cruise Description

6 Night Cruise sailing from Castet-en-Dorthe to Boe aboard Rosa.

*This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction.

Sunday, Day 1 Castets-en-Dorthe
Embark Rosa. Following a champagne welcome, there is time for a stroll before returning for your first dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Castets-en-Dorthe to Meilhan-sur-Garonne
This morning, 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 Franc Mayne, producer of premier and grand crus wines, where we discover the secrets of the vine and, of course, enjoy a tasting. After lunch on board, we’ll follow the Canal de Garonne, to the port of Meilhan-sur-Garonne, before dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Meilhan-sur-Garonne to Lagruère
This morning we enjoy a cruise to the charming little village of Lagruère. At this time, you can cycle or walk the tow path and enjoy the stunning countryside. Following lunch on board, we tour the Garonne river aboard a traditional flat-bottomed boat, after which we visit the beautiful village of Le Mas d’Agenais, its 11th century church playing host to an ornate Romanesque doorway and an original masterpiece by Rembrandt. After this we take a short drive to an artisanal dairy farm where we experience the entire cheese making process, culminating in a delicious tasting. Dinner, if the weather permits, is a gourmet barbecue beside the barge, overlooking the River Garonne.

Wednesday, Day 4 Lagruère to Buzet-sur-Baise
This morning we depart early and enjoy the colourful market of Lavardac, before heading to the 13th century bastide village of Vianne to see a skilled glassblower at work. A delectable lunch of regional specialities will be served at restaurant ‘Le Moulin des Saveurs’, before returning to the barge for a cruise along the tranquil Canal de Garonne to our mooring at Buzet-sur-Baise, a pastoral haven. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Buzet-sur-Baise to Serignac-sur-Garonne
This morning, enjoy a leisurely cruise to Serignac-sur-Garonne with time to explore the towpath, or relax on the decktop. After lunch on board, we visit 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. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Serignac-sur-Garonne to Boé
We start the day with a morning 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. After lunch, we enjoy a stroll through the historic town of Agen to enjoy the colourful decorated cathedral dedicated to Saint Caprasius, before a tour and tasting of biodynamic wines at the family-owned Domaine du Bois de Simon. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Boé
After breakfast, guests disembark.