Saint Louis
Cruising in Bordeaux

Passengers: 6
Last Visited: 2007
Size: 96 feet long
Rating: Deluxe, A/C

2010 Rates as of september 1, 2009

Whole Boat Charter of 6: $23,994
Whole Boat Charter of 5: $22,575
Whole Boat Charter of 4: $21,156
Individuals: $4,189 per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $1,250
(The above cruise fares are based on an exchange rate of 1.42 to the Euro. In the event that the posted exchange rate on www.x-rates.com shows the U.S. dollar to be weakened against the Euro by more than 7.5%, the owners of Saint Louis reserve the right to raise prices. Anyone who wants to lock in the dollar rate can pay the entire cruise fare at the time of booking.)

2010 Dates

April 3 - 9	May 22 - 28	July 10 - 16	August 28 - September 3
April 10 - 16	May 29 - June 4	July 17 - 23	September 4 - 10
April 17 - 23	June 5 - 11	July 24 - 30	September 11 - 17
April 24 - 30	June 12 - 18	July 31 - August 6	September 18 - 24
May 1 - 7	June 19 - 25	August 7 - 13	September 25 - October 1
May 8 - 14	June 26 - July 2	August 14 - 20	October 2 - 8
May 15 - 21	July 3 - 9	August 21 - 27

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 several 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
Saturday: Board in Montauban
Warm welcome in our Home Port
We meet around 3 pm, often in Toulouse, and we 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.

Sunday: Montauban to Castelcarrasin
Extraordinary Water Slope!
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 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
Elegant Abbeye Cloisters
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, pictured at right, with its Cloisters that are said to be the finest in the world, and the 13th century church which contains a 10th century organ.

Tuesday: Moissac to Pommevic
Beautiful cruise through calm countryside
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 – normally we 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 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.

Wednesday: Pommevic to Lamagistere
Ancient Bastide Village
We head off in the morning, having breakfast on the 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
Art Treasures in 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, pictured at left, 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: Return to Toulouse
A Sad Farewell
After a leisurely breakfast, we'll chauffeur you back to Toulouse, in time for a late morning train back to Paris. Or you may pick up a rental car or stay a few more days in Toulouse. We hope to see you back again on Saint Louis.

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Cruise 2
Agen to Bordeaux
Saturday: Agen to Serignac-sur-Garonne
Amazing Aqueduct Cruise!
We'll meet you at 3:00 pm in Toulouse (train station, local hotel or airport) and go directly to the Saint Louis which is moored in the pretty canal basin in Agen. After a short briefing, we head off downstream. We have champagne on deck while passing over the remarkable Agen Aqueduct, pictured at right, which is France's longest masonry aqueduct and which takes us over the mighty River Garonne. We pass down four landscaped locks, while the table on deck is being laid for our first al fresco dinner on board. After the last lock, we enter a part of the canal the Captain calls "the Amazon" - overgrown with trees and bushes on both sides - we eat dinner surrounded by nature and birdsong. We moor for the night at the charming little port of Serignac sur Garonne.

Sunday: Serignac-sur-Garonne to Buzet-sur-Baise
Visit a Glass Blower in an ancient village
Some of our group take an early morning walk through Serignac, a quaint Bastide village with half-timbered houses and a church with a most unusual spire. We then cast off, and head down the canal to Buzet-sur-Baise, where we moor under a canopy of plane trees for lunch. After lunch we head off in the car to visit Viannes, a remarkable bastide village with an outside fortified wall almost intact. Viannes is known for glass blowing, and we visit the last working glass blower and watch the production of world-class glass wares. Finally we visit Bruch, another fortified village dating back to the Middle Ages.

Monday: Buzet-sur-Baise to Damazan
Chateau of King Henri IV
In the morning we take a short cruise from Buzet-sur-Baise to Damazan, once again having breakfast on deck. We then head in the car and drive to Nerac, pictured at left, where we visit the chateau of King Henri IV, and the old mediaeval town beside the River Baïse. Later in the afternoon, we visit a remarkable producer of products of the grape - wine, Armagnac and Floc de Gascogne - all housed in a former Benedictine abbey.



Tuesday: Damazan to Mas d'Argenais
Painting by Rembrandt in an Old Church
After breakfast, we head down the canal, stopping at Villeton where we visit a museum of farming and country trades. We have lunch on deck, and arrive mid-afternoon at Mas d'Agenais. Here we visit the old roman walls of the town, and the Romanesque wash-house, before going up to the centre of the town where we admire the spectacular market square, and where we visit the 11th century church that contains a painting by Rembrandt.

Wednesday: Mas d'Argenais to Meilhan-sur-Garonne
People who have lived on the River Garonne
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.

Thursday: Meilhan-sur-Garonne to Castets-en-Dorthe
Elegant family-owned Castle
Today, we complete our canal journey, cruising through ever-changing countryside as far as Castets-en-Dorthe, where there is a little port at the end of the canal. On the way, we stop at the matchstick museum at Fontets, and see some remarkable constructions in matchsticks including a model of the Palace of Versailles. On arrival at Castets, we take the car to Roquetaillade, where we visit an inhabited castle that has been in the hands of the same family for 700 years.

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

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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

"We started out in a lucky way by being part of a congenial group of guests. The Saint Louis crew were always there when we needed them; never intrusive, and always delightful. As for the route itself, it was amazingly pleasant to slow down to barge pace. The scenery slowly going by was lovely, and the meals which appeared were absolutely spectacular. Our excursions were interesting and informative, and well handled by Alasdair."
-Don and Frances MacFarlane, 2009

"Our expectations were exceeded. Alasdair, Barbara and crew were wonderful! The cabin was great, better than expected. Alasdair imparted local flavor with every excursion and Barbara took us to an outdoor market. Overall, we were pampered and had a fabulous time on board Saint Louis."
-Robert and Sally Manion, 2009

"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

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