6 Night Cruise sailing from Boe to Castet-en-Dorthe 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 Boé
Embark Rosa. Following a champagne welcome, there is time for a stroll before returning for your first dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Boé to Serignac-sur-Garonne
Morning 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 Nerac 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.

Tuesday, Day 3 Serignac-sur-Garonne to Buzet-sur-Baise
This morning, we depart early to enjoy breakfast at the colourful market of Aiguillon and then cruise to our mooring at Buzet-sur-Baise, a pretty fortified village with pastel-coloured houses. Lunch on board is followed by an informative guided tour of the sustainable wine co-operative of Buzet, with a tasting of course! Next we visit the cork museum at Mezin to learn about the history of cork-making, before heading to the 13th century bastide village of Vianne. 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 tonight is a gourmet affair at the “Auberge du Goujon qui frétille”, a delightful local restaurant with a highly inventive menu.

Wednesday, Day 4 Buzet-sur-Baise to Lagruère
We start the day with a relaxing cruise to the lovely little village of Lagruère, with time to walk or cycle the towpath through stunning countryside. Following lunch on board we cruise along 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 at Ramier 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.

Thursday, Day 5 Lagruère to Meilhan-sur-Garonne
Our morning cruise takes us to the village of Meilhan-sur-Garonne, with an expansive view over the valley of the Garonne. In the afternoon, we visit the 14th century Château de Duras, an architectural wonder, which has 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.

Friday, Day 6 Meilhan-sur-Garonne to Castet-en-Dorthe
Today, our final cruise is to Castet-en-Dorthe, where the canal ends and drops into the River Garonne. After lunch on board 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-Sejour-Becot, 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.

Saturday, Day 7 Castet-en-Dorthe
After breakfast, guests disembark.

Rosa is an old Dutch “Klipper” barge that was built early in the last century to carry different cargoes on the offshore waterways of Holland. Now, as a charming hotel barge, she navigates the calmer canals of southwest France.

The prettily decorated saloon is particularly welcoming and features attractive wood panelling, comfortable seating, dining area and a cosy bar. The four cosy staterooms accommodating 8 passengers have individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and full en suite facilities. Two staterooms have double beds, the other two staterooms have twin beds.

Outside there is a spacious sun deck with a dining area and parasols for enjoying an alfresco prepared by your chef. Comfortable loungers are also there to relax in as you take in the passing countryside on your sedate cruise along the Canal de Garonne.

Eight bikes are available for your use if you wish to perhaps venture into the next village along the towpath.

Rosa also featured with Anjodi in the successful television series, Rick Stein’s French Odyssey and you are sure to enjoy your own personal ‘odyssey’ through this colourful, captivating part of southwest France.

We have been involved in all aspects of the hotel barge and travel industry for over 35 years including designing, building, owning and operating our fleet of luxury hotel barges. We have gradually refined our barge cruise holidays into unique travel experiences, which are just waiting to be discovered.

Our fully crewed, all inclusive luxury hotel barges cruise the inland waterways of nine European countries, along canals, rivers, lakes, lagoons and lochs, giving you the opportunity to experience life there from a truly unique perspective.

Our hotel barges are ideal for people looking for either an individual cruise with other like-minded people, or for those choosing a whole barge charter for a family or group of friends.

On your all-inclusive cruise, your ‘floating boutique hotel’ glides gently along while you relax and enjoy gourmet cuisine, fine wines and the company of fellow passengers. There will be guided tours to castles, chateaux, vineyards, markets and when you return to the barge, you can be sure our dedicated, professional crew will be there to look after you once more.