SAINT LOUIS
(AGEN) SERIGNAC SUR GARRONE to CASETS EN DORTHE
The Saint Louis was built in Holland in
1923. Some ten years ago, she was bought by her previous owners, who made a
fabulous job
of the design of the renovation, and of the work itself. They
managed to retain her original pleasing lines, while converting her to carry up
to six passengers in real comfort. All up-to-date conveniences were fitted,
including central heating and air conditioning, and the boat has all the
features you could need for a fabulous holiday.
Saturday - Agen train station or alternatively Toulouse or Bordeaux (airports or city)
Collection from agreed pick-up point 15.30hrs to arrive at barge around 17.00hrs and champagne reception.On our way to the barge we stop to see the famous Aqueduct, the second largest aqueduct in France which opened in 1849. It carries the Canal de Garonne over the Garonne river and is an engineering marvel.
Sunday -
Tour: The Lily Gardens at Temple sur Lot that were founded in 1875 and inspired Monet. We depart Bo Port at 9.00am and enjoy our first cruise through Agen and across the magnificent aquaduct. Leaving the barge we drive to the gardens in time for lunch overlooking the lake. After lunch, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the ponds and gardens before returning to the barge which will have moved on to our evening mooring at Serignac.Monday -
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast followed by our visit to a 4th generation Armagnac producer to learn about and taste this traditional local spirit. Armagnac pre-dates Cognac by approx. 200 years and is still produced in the time honoured way. During the visit guests have the opportunity if they wish to choose a year (perhaps of their wedding, birth of a child etc), select a bottle size and then watch the armagnac being drawn from their chosen barrel, corked and the wax seal applied.
A unique memento of their visit and it tastes great as well! Later guests will learn the secrets of our signature cocktail, the Saint Louis Sundowner from hostess Julia featuring Armagnac from their visit.
Time permitting (or if Armagnac is not a preferred visit) we may also visit the 11th Century town of Nerac; which includes the Chateau Henry IV (built around 15th Century) and home to the King and his wife Queen Margot between 1577 and 1582. There is also the Garenne royal park nearby. The visit is an opportunity to explore this ancient town and learn about the development of this region. We also visit the medieval Bastide town of Vianne. Bastide towns were built across southern France during the 13th and 14th centuries to provide security and safety and to develop trade.
In July and August, a visit to the night market at Damazan can be arranged. A very small local village, about 20 mins from our mooring by car, this is a taste of rural France in full swing. The night market is entirely geared to locals, it features live music, food stalls and is an interesting insight into local festivities. We usually go after the dinner main course on board and return for dessert!
Tuesday -
Morning cruise through to Lafalotte and lunch on board. At our mooring point there is a privately owned semi-precious gem museum just a short stroll across their garden where we can visit the museum whilst lunch is being prepared. The owners give us a guided tour through their unique collection of fossils, minerals and semi-precious gems from around the world collected by them over 50 years of travels. A thought provoking visit for those who enjoy natural history.
After lunch we continue our cruise through to La Mas d'Agenais where we take a short walk from our mooring to visit the centre of this quaint and unspoilt 12th Century town and go inside its church where there is an original Rembrandt painting of Christ on the Cross.
We then continue our afternoon cruise to Forques where we moor for the evening.
Wednesday -
Morning cruise followed by lunch on board. After lunch guests are driven to a private visit to Chateau d'Arche, one of the top Grand Crus Sauternes Chateaux. The visit includes a guided tour of the production process, their cave and tastings.
We return to the barge which will have moved on a little to our evening mooring at Meilhan. There should be time to go to the superb view point at the port which provides a fantastic vista out over the Garonne river and the canal below. About a 5 minute walk up steps from the mooring point.
Alternatively we can arrange a guided tour of Chateau d'Yquem, the number one Sauterne Chateaux with a global reputation. The tour lasts approx. 1hr 20mins and costs 100Euro per person and must be booked in advance by us.
Thursday -
St Emilion. We leave the barge after breakfast for our day visit to this world heritage site, the heart of Bordeaux wines with private wine tastings with our negociant, Patrick, and a 1st Grand Crus Chateaux visit. Guests may also go on a guided tour of the 12th Century underground church.
We return to meet the barge if time permits for a further short cruise into Castets en Dorthe for the evening and dinner on board.
At Castets en Dorthe we can visit The end of the canal before it joins the mighty Garonne river on its way to Bordeaux. Guests may walk with me (or can be driven) to see the huge double lock that was the gateway to the river and the trade route to the Mediterranean via the Canal de Midi in one direction and to the Atlantic ocean in the other. The river is spanned at this point by a bridge designed by Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame!).
For wine lovers we can also organise a full wine experience day with Patrick. He takes the guests from 10.30 to 17.00 and gives the guests a complete run through the region, the classification of St Emilion wines, how to taste wine, pairing wine with food, tasting of fine old wines, a private Chateaux visit, a tour of the 1st Grand Crus estates by car and a Michelin Star lunch.
The price is 450Euro per person, minimum of 4 people, to be paid to us upon arrival as we shall have booked and paid for the day in advance.
Friday -
After a leisurely breakfast, guests will be transferred to agreed drop off locations leaving the barge around 10:00AM.
CASETS EN DORTHE TO SERIGNAC SUR GARRONE (AGEN)
Saturday - Bordeaux city or airport (Merignac)
Collection from agreed pick-up point 15.30hrs to arrive at barge around 16.30hrs and champagne reception. At Castets en Dorthe we can visit “The end of the canal” before it joins the mighty Garonne river on its way to Bordeaux. Guests may walk with me (or can be driven) to see the huge double lock that was the gateway to the river and the trade route to the Mediterranean via the Canal de Midi in one direction and to the Atlantic ocean in the other. The river is spanned at this point by a bridge designed by Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame!).
Sunday -
Cruise and then visit St Emilion; A day visit to this world heritage site, the heart of Bordeaux wines with private wine tastings with our negociant, Patrick, and a 1st Grand Crus Chateaux visit.
Return to meet the barge and a further cruise into Meilhan Port for the evening and dinner on board. There should be time to go to the superb view point at the port which provides a fantastic vista out over the Garonne river and the canal below. About a 5 minute walk up steps from the mooring point.
For wine lovers we can also organise a full wine experience day with Patrick. He takes the guests from 10.30 to 17.00 and gives the guests a complete run through the region, the classification of St Emilion wines, how to taste wine, pairing wine with food, tasting of fine old wines, a private Chateaux visit, a tour of the 1st Grand Crus estates by car and a Michelin Star lunch.
The price is 450Euro per person, minimum of 4 people, to be paid to us upon arrival as we shall have booked and paid for the day in advance
Monday -
Morning cruise followed by lunch on board. After lunch guests are driven to a private visit to Chateau d'Arche, one of the top Grand Crus Sauternes Chateaux. The visit includes a guided tour of the production process, their cave and tastings.
We return to the barge which will have moved on a little to our evening mooring near Forques.
Alternatively we can arrange a guided tour of Chateau d'Yquem, the number one Sauterne Chateaux with a global reputation. The tour lasts approx. 1hr 20mins and costs 100Euro per person and must be booked in advance by us.
Tuesday -
Morning cruise through to La Mas d'Agenais and lunch on board. Whilst lunch is being prepared we take a short walk from our mooring to visit the centre of this quaint and unspoilt 12th Century town and go inside its church where there is an original Rembrandt painting of Christ on the Cross.
After lunch we continue our cruise through to our mooring at Lafalotte where there is a privately owned semi-precious gem museum just a short stroll across their garden where we can visit the museum and the owners give us a guided tour through their unique collection of fossils, minerals and semi-precious gems from around the world collected by them over 50 years of travels. A thought provoking visit for those who enjoy natural history.
Wednesday -
Enjoy a morning cruise through to Buzet Port and lunch on board. Afterwards we visit a 4th generation Armagnac producer to learn about and taste this traditional local spirit. Armagnac pre-dates Cognac by approx. 200 years and is still produced in the time honoured way. During the visit guests have the opportunity if they wish to choose a year (perhaps of their wedding, birth of a child etc), select a bottle size and then watch the armagnac being drawn from their chosen barrel, corked and the wax seal applied.
A unique memento of their visit and it tastes great as well!
Back at the barge guests will learn the secrets of the Saint Louis Sundowner from hostess Julia, a cocktail featuring Armagnac from their visit.
Time permitting (or if Armagnac is not a preferred visit) we may also visit the 11th Century town of Nerac; which includes the Chateau Henry IV (built around 15th Century) and home to the King and his wife Queen Margot between 1577 and 1582. There is also the Garenne royal park nearby. The visit is an opportunity to explore this ancient town and learn about the development of this region. We also visit the medieval Bastide town of Vianne. Bastide towns were built across southern France during the 13th and 14th?centuries to provide security and safety and to develop trade.
In July and August, a visit to the night market at Damazan can be arranged. A very small local village, about 25 mins from our mooring by car, this is a taste of rural France in full swing. The night market is entirely geared to locals, it features live music, food stalls and is an interesting insight into local festivities. We usually go after the dinner main course on board and return for dessert!
Thursday -
Morning cruise followed by lunch and afterwards our visit to The Latour-Marliac Lily Gardens at Temple Sur Lot and the Agen aqueduct. The garden is the original one that inspired and provided Monet with his lilies for his paintings and his own gardens at Giverny. Dating from 1875 the Latour-Marliac gardens are a delight to visit and explore.
On our return to the barge from the Lily gardens we stop to see the Aqueduct, the second largest aqueduct in France which opened in 1849. It carries the Canal de Garonne over the Garonne river and is an engineering marvel.
We return to the barge which will now be moored for the evening at Serignac for dinner.
Friday -
After a leisurely breakfast, Guests will be transferred to agreed drop-off locations leaving the barge around 10.00am.
| ACCOMMODATION | REGULAR |
| Stateroom (minimum of 2 persons) | $7,000 |
| Charter 2 passengers | $26,000 |
| Charter 4 passengers | $29,200 |
| Charter 6 passengers | $34,800 |
