Barge Rosa

Bordeaux Cruise

A Classic Cruise in Gascony and Bordeaux
Barge cruises (Summer & Autumn)

Special Offers

Cruise highlights

  • Tour of the famous Saint Émilion
  • Visit the impressive Château de Duras
  • Cruise across the 1,900 foot Agen aqueduct
  • Wine, cheese and Armagnac tastings

Cruise itinerary: Boé to Castets-en-Dorthe

SundayGuests are met in Bordeaux and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Rosa. Following a champagne welcome, there is time for a stroll before returning for your first dinner on board.

Agen canal bridge
Nerac lock
MondayMorning cruise to Serignac-sur-Garonne, where we cross the Plan Canal d’Agen, one of the longest aqueducts in France which spans the River Garonne. After lunch we visit the medieval town of Nérac and tread in the footsteps of King of France 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. Finally, we stop at the Lapeyrade Estate for a cellar tasting of Armagnac, the oldest alcohol in France. Dinner on board.
Nerac castle
Le Mas-d'Agenais - lavoir
TuesdayThis morning, we depart early to enjoy the colourful market of Aiguillon and then cruise to our mooring at Buzet-sur-Baïse, a pretty fortified village with pastel-coloured houses. After lunch we head to the 13th century bastide village of Vianne and to see a skilled glassblower at work, then en route back to the barge we visit the cork museum at Mezin to learn about the history of cork-making. In the evening we go to Barbaste with its fortified mill, protected by four square towers, and the nearby 12th century bridge with its 12 curved arches. Dinner ashore at “Le Moulin des Saveurs”, a local auberge in Barbaste.
Local market
Barbaste - Moulin des Tours
WednesdayWe start the day with a relaxing cruise to the lovely little village of Le Mas d’Agenais, with time to walk or cycle the towpath through stunning countryside. This afternoon we visit a cheese workshop to see the different stages of manufacture of cheese and enjoy a tasting of goats’ cheeses, including some flavoured with ash and chilli. On the way back to the hotel barge we visit the Romanesque Church containing an original masterpiece by Rembrandt. Dinner on board.
Le Mas-d'Agenais - Saint Vincent church
Moulin Saveurs
ThursdayMorning cruise to the village of Meilhan-sur-Garonne with a view over the valley of the Garonne. In the afternoon, we visit the 14th century Château de Duras, an architectural wonder, which have been both a fortress and a stately home over its 900-year history. We wander through its 35 rooms and museum before returning to the hotel barge. Dinner on board.
Cycling Canal de Garonne
Meilhan-sur-Garonne
Friday Today, our final cruise is to Castet-en-Dorthe, following the nearby Garonne River. In the afternoon 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 Beau-Séjour Bécot, producer of premier and grand crus wines, where we discover the secrets of the vine and, of course, enjoy a tasting. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Château de Duras
Saint Emilion vinyards
Saturday After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Bordeaux.
Note The designated meeting and drop off point is « Bordeaux ». On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. For more information about our « Bordeaux cruise » and pricing, please contact us.

Bordeaux region

The Bordeaux region, famous around the world for its wines, lies in the southern part of western France, on the Atlantic coast. A hotel barge cruise along the Canal de Garonne is a unique way to explore and appreciate the slow rhythm of this region with its subtle mixture of natural landscapes, medieval bastide towns and iconic vineyards. We cruise through the Graves vineyards and visit the medieval town of Saint Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site and centre of the most famous of the Bordeaux appellations. Away from the vineyards we explore the fascinating historic architecture of the region including a visit to the 14th Century Château de Duras, the 13th Century fortified village of Vianne and the medieval town of Nerac where we tread in the footsteps of King Henry IV and Queen Margot.

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