Saint Louis
Cruising in Bordeaux

Passengers: 6
Last Visited: 2007
Size: 96 feet long
Rating: Deluxe, A/C
2009 Rates as of August 21, 2008
Whole Boat Charter:
$26,167 - 6 passenger charter
$24,697 - 5 passenger charter
$23,227 - 4 passenger charter
Individual Cabins:
$4,994 per person in a Queen or Twin-bedded cabin
Single Supplement: $2,497

Breaking News:
Chocolate and Wine in Bordeaux!
SAINT LOUIS now offers a scrumptious cruise with chocolate tastings, chocolate-wine pairings, chocolate cooking lessons and on-board chocolate desserts. Please see the Itinerary Section for the full cruise.

We were delighted to visit the beautifully re-decorated Saint Louis at the Canal du Midi Barge Show - and meet her new owners Alasdair and Barbara Wyllie. The personable and ambitious Wyllies - who have extensive backgrounds in hospitality, catering and boating - purchased the SAINT LOUIS in 2006 and moved it to a gorgeous and original route in Bordeaux. Along the way, they entirely redecorated the vessel, opting for a cleaner, more modern "look." The salon - boasting large picture windows - is extremely comfortable, while the cabins and beautifully tiled baths are serene and uncluttered.

SAINT LOUIS cruises on the canal and river system between Bordeaux and Toulouse in Southwest France. The Wyllies have lived in the region for two years and know it well. Among the highlights are Agen, "City of Roman Art," many Medieval fortified towns, chateaux, churches - and canal views of unrivaled beauty.

Alasdair says:"Besides sightseeing, we can introduce you to cultural events ranging from country markets, classical concerts and summer festivals. For art enthusiasts, there is a collection of Goya masterpieces in Agen; for wine lovers, a wide range of vineyards to visit; and much to engage golfers, walkers and tennis players." Cuisine will emphasize fresh and local ingredients and the open bar stocked with excellent regional wines and superb malt whiskies from Scotland - not surprisingly since Barbara and Alasdair hail from Argyll, Scotland!

Saint Louis
Bordeaux Barge Cruise Itinerary

Cruise 1
Montauban to Agen In Bordeaux
Saturday: Toulouse
Meet around 3 pm, normally in Toulouse. Travel by car to the Saint Louis. Champagne reception on board. Options for the evening include a visit to the local Artisan Distillerie, or a stroll around Montech town, or a game of petanque beside the boat.

Sunday: Toulouse to Castelcarrasin
After breakfast, we take the car for a short excursion around Montauban, City of Art and Culture. We visit the central Italian square, and the Pont Vieux over the River Tarn. We return to the Saint Louis, and pass through one lock before joining the main Canal Lateral a la Garonne. We pass down the extraordinary Montech Water Slope, an impressive experience for everyone. We cruise through the canal to Castelsarrasin, where we moor for the night.

Monday: Castelsarrasin to Auvillar
After exploring the town in the morning, we cruise to Moissac, City of Roman Art, crossing on the way the brick aquaduct over the River Tarn. In the afternoon, we visit a famous goat cheese farm at Gensac, and the lovely historic town of Auvillar.

Tuesday: Auvillar to Lauzerte
We start the day with a visit to the Abbey and 11th century Cloisters at Moissac, reputed to be the finest cloisters in Europe. After lunch, we cruise to Pommevic where we moor at a small halte under a deep canopy of trees. In Pommevic there is an 11th century church to visit, or we can take an excursion up to the lovely mediaeval town of Lauzerte.

Wednesday: Lauzerte to Golfech
After breakfast, we cruise first to Valence, where we stop for lunch. We visit the three Romanesque wash houses in the town, and admire the unusual pigeon houses and half-timbered buildings. We then cruise to Golfech, where we moor at a quiet Halte.

Thursday: Golfech to Agen
Today we make an early start to cruise to the city of Agen, (famous for fruit, especially melons and prunes) taking breakfast under way. On arrival, we take an excursion by car to the amazing mediaeval city of Nerac, where we see the Chateau of King Henry 4th, and the Gothic Pont Vieux. Alternatively, we can take a picnic and head in the car deep into the wine region of Bordeaux, where the finest wines of the world are produced - we visit, and taste at, some wonderful vineyards.

Friday: Return to Toulouse
After a leisurely breakfast, we leave the Saint Louis and travel by car back to Toulouse.

---

Cruise 2
Agen to Castets In Bordeaux
Saturday: Toulouse or Bordeaux
Meet around 3pm, normally in Toulouse (or Bordeaux). Travel by car to the Saint Louis. Champagne reception on board. Evening stroll around the city, or perhaps a game of petanque beside the boat.

Sunday: Agen to Serignac sur Garonne
After breakfast we cruise out of Agen, and immediately cross the amazing stone aquaduct over the River Garonne, followed by four landscaped locks. We moor for the night at the quiet port of Serignac sur Garonne, and in the evening we can wander around the quaint village, with its half-timbered houses and its unusual church.

Monday: Serignac sur Garonne to Buzet-sur-Baise
In the morning, we take an excursion by car to the amazing mediaeval city of Nerac, where we see the Chateau of King Henry 4th, and the Gothic Pont Vieux. On the return journey to the boat we see a beautiful Romanesque bridge at Lavardac, and we visit the walled bastide town of Vianne, perhaps visiting one of its glass blowing workshops. We then cruise as far as Buzet-sur-Baise, where we moor for the night under some shady trees.

Tuesday: Buzet-sur-Baise to Mas d'Argenais
After breakfast, we can either visit a local traditional barrel-making works, or we can take a small boat down a pair of locks and into the River Baise, perhaps taking a picnic with us. In the afternoon, we cruise as far as Mas d'Argenais, where we moor for the night.

Wednesday: Mas d'Argenais to Meilhan
In the morning we take a walk up into the small market town, where there is a Romanesque church where there is a painting of the crucifixion painted by Rembrandt. From here we cruise as far as Meilhan. Yesterday or today would be good days for visiting, and tasting at some of the remarkable vineyards of the Bordeaux region, where the finest wines in the world are produced.

Thursday: Meilhan to Castets
In the morning we take an excursion by car to the nearby town of La Reole, where we visit an interesting Town Hall in what was originally a 10th century Benedictine monastery. We also can visit a car museum, before returning to the boat and cruising to our final port at Castets. On arrival, we take our final excursion, this time to Fontet where there is a matchstick building museum, including models of the Palace of Versailles and of the cathedral of Reims.

Friday: Return to Toulouse or Bordeaux
After a leisurely breakfast, we leave the Saint Louis and travel by car back to Toulouse (or Bordeaux)

---

Chocolate and Wine Itinerary
Montauban to Serignac in Bordeaux
Saturday: Montauban
Welcome to Saint Louis!
We'll meet you at mid-afternoon in Toulouse. On the way to SAINT LOUIS, we'll visit both the Distillerie Artinsale to sample Poire Williams Brandy and Patisserie Alliot for your first chcoclate tasting! Arrive in Montauban for the traditional Champagne welcome and dinner - and the first of our chocolate desserts.

Sunday: Montauban to Castelsarrasin
This morning, we'll visit the Musee' Ingres in Montauban - one of France's finest art collections. It's back to SAINT LOUIS for lunch and afternoon cruise - floating down the unique water slope at Montech. Moor tonight in the village of Castelsarrasin.

Monday: Castelsarrasin to Moissac
In the morning, sample chocolates at Gourmandises et Cacao. Our afternoon cruise is to charming Moissac, where we'll visit the superb Abbey with its gorgeous cloisters.

Tuesday: Moissac to Pommevic
In the morning, drive to Auvillar, one of France's most beautiful villages. Then it's on to Nerac, visiting a famed chateau - PLUS a demonstration of chocolate-making at Chocolaterie le Cigale. In the afternoon, we cruise gently to Pommevis - enjoying apertifs on deck as beautiful scenery floats by.

Wednesday: Pommevic to Valence d'Agen
In the morning, cruise to Valence d'Agen. There is a great towpath - so take the opportunity to bicycle or walk. Then meet Kate Hill - an entertaining American ex-pat who has lived in Bordeaux for many years - she's a chef and cookbook author, too. Kate will demonstrate chocolate desserts - and invite you to sample the results!

Thursday: Valence d'Agen to Serignac
Our cruise takes us across France's longest masonry aquaduct - which takes the canal over the River Garonne! This afternoon, your final tasting will be of Armanagnac and Floc de Gascogne. Return to SAINT LOUIS for the Captain's Dinner and your last memorable on-board chocolate dessert.

Friday: Return to Toulouse
A Sad Farewell
We'll sneak in one more excursion! Depart after breakfast to explore the Medieval village of Serignac - then it's back to Toulouse in late morning.

Please note: These itineraries are indicative only. We will always tailor a cruise to the interests and wishes of the guests on board. There will always be the opportunity to walk or cycle along the towpath, to stroll round local villages, to fish, to play petanque, or just to lie back and do nothing! Equally, we can always arrange wine tastings at selected local vineyards, or excursions to other places of interest.

Saint Louis

Guest Book

"Our trip was thoroughly delightful and at times joyous.  The barge was pretty and well appointed.  The trip was very relaxing as we moved at a majestic pace through beautiful countryside.  The other guests were fun, and we all enjoyed each others company.  The food was good, and the wines were different and interesting.  The staff was most attentive.  The trip met our high hopes for the week.  We thought that after our first totally successful barge cruise that this trip would not measure up, but it did.  The Barge Lady really knows her business."
-Ned and Sue Sack, 2008

“What an utterly fabulous experience. What wondrous sights we saw, and what yummy food and wine we consumed, and, especially, what peace and tranquility we found - a thousand thank you’s for making our time on board such a memorable one”
- Rob & Linda May 2007

“This trip was just the crème de la crème – thank you with all my heart.”
- Catie & Tom June 2007

“Beautiful barge, fabulous food, scintillating and caring crew, stupendous scenery, wonderful wine, terrific trips - what more could you need to unwind in this stressful world.”
- Margaret May 2007

Saint Louis Floor Plan

96 feet long
-Three cabins (127 sq ft) with twin beds or queen bed,
-Tiled baths with large showers
-Attractive salon/dining area with picture windows.
-Entirely re-decorated in 2007