About Aquitaine

Indulge your palate in sunny Aquitaine

Known for its fabulous wines and gourmet cuisine, the Aquitaine epitomises the best of gastronomical boating in France. Take advantage of our boat hire on the Canal de Garonne and the River Baïse and discover all this region has to offer. Your journey will take you winding through meadows, orchards and medieval villages that tempt you to tie up and spend time simply sipping wine in the warm sunshine with your family and friends!

 

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Map showing where Aquitaine boating region is in France

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If you are unable to find your perfect holiday on our website please contact our Boating Experts who may be able to help create a bespoke offering for you.

Aquitaine map

Aquitaine region map = Le Boat Base           = Canal           = Navigable river          = No navigation beyond this point

The perfect boating region for...

Gastronomy

Duck confit with prune sauce

A food lover’s sweet spot, the Aquitaine is renowned for French gastronomy. Fois gras, wild mushrooms and regional cheeses like Brebio, Etorki or Bleu des Basques are wonderful with a bottle of Bordeaux. Whilst you’re in Condom, check out the Hôtel Restaurant Les Trois Lys!

History & Heritage

Château du Hamel, Castets-en-Dorthe, Aquitaine

On a history holiday in Aquitaine, you can visit Castets-en-Dorthe’s 12th-century Château du Hamel and Nérac’s Château Henry IV! Agen offers several wonderful museums. Everywhere are historic churches like the Abbey of St. Pierre in Moissac. You'll pick up your boat from our base in Le Mas d'Agenais. This central location allows you to explore the selection of nearby towns and villages packed full of French culture.

Wine Tasting

Group wine tasting

Coordinate your Aquitaine wine tasting cruise with the Buzet Wine Festival held every August in Nérac! Visit the Buzet Wine Cave in Buzet and tour Château Le Courréjot near Moncrabeau, a producer of Armagnac and Chablis. Try some samples!

Useful information

Download our Region Guide

Check out our region guideWe've produced a handy PDF guide for this region to give you an overview of all the stops and things to do along the waterway.

Download our region guide

You could call the Canal Latéral à la Garonne at 193 kilometres (120 miles) in length the second cousin of the more famous Canal du Midi. Together, both of these beautiful waterways link the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Collectively, they’re dubbed the Canal des Deux Mers. The Garonne Canal drops 128 metres (420 feet) by the time it reaches the junction with the River Garonne from Toulouse, running straight as an arrow over much of its course.

You can also hop off the Garonne Canal for some river cruises in France! Take the River Baïse southward towards Condom amidst magnificent scenery. There are plenty of quiet places to stop for a picnic lunch. In the past, Aquitaine waters were busy with commercial barges, but today the only traffic you’ll see will be canal boats for hire, just like yours!

France’s network of canals helped make it an industrial power and spur the Industrial Revolution. As the need to move more goods increased, the ribbons of blue canals grew in number. The Canal Latéral à la Garonne is a prime example. It was built in part to avoid the rocks and shoals of the River Garonne. Work began in 1839, and by 1850 canal boats were plying the waters between Toulouse and Agen. The entire canal opened for business in 1856.

We've partnered up with some of the best local businesses from the towns and villages in the Aquitaine to help you get the most out of your Le Boat holiday.

Discover our range of exclusive offers, only available to Le Boat customers. 

The waterways of the Aquitaine are easy to navigate and superb for beginners. 

It is no longer possible to access the River Lot while cruising in the Aquitaine region. 

Take a look at our waterway and lock closures page to find out if there are any scheduled cruising restrictions that will affect your holiday plans.

Locks are automatic and free of charge. There are 53 locks on the Canal Latéral à la Garonne.

Opening hours: During the busy summer season locks are open 09:00-18:00 (6:00 p.m.). Locks are closed for lunch from 12:00-13:00 (1:00 p.m.).

Public holidays: Locks are closed on some public holidays: 1st May & 1st November.

Moorings are plentiful in the Aquitaine.

To find out how to get to our base in this boating region, as well as what facilities and amenities are available nearby, click on the link below:

  • Hire of the boat and its onboard equipment
  • A fully equipped kitchen
  • Towels and linen for all passengers
  • A boat handling demonstration prior to departure
  • Technical support
  • On-board maps and visitor information
  • Passage through locks
  • Optional holiday extras
  • Boat damage waiver
  • Running costs (diesel, gas, engine wear and tear) - charged by the engine hour.
  • Travel to and from the base(s)
  • Waterside services if you use them (i.e. moorings where a charge is applicable, pump-out if needed, water, etc)
  • Cancellation plan & any travel/personal insurance
  • Food and drink

Interactive map of Aquitaine

Bases  = Le Boat base  Chateau  = Point of interest

Great to see…

In Castets-en-Dorthe, a green and quiet city, you will enjoy having a walk along the canal banks of the Garonne. See the great Hamel Castle and the Eiffel bridge.

In Meilhan-sur-Garonne, there is a place you have to see. Located along the left bank, a beautiful vista across the valley of the garonne awaits you. It is a perfect spot to have a rest, to fish, or go for a bicycle ride.

In Marmande, the church Notre-Dame de Marmande is really interesting, with its beautiful cloister and its great gardens. Downtown, you will appreciate the decoration of the Place Clemenceau, and also the garden of Verdun.

Usually awash with colourful flowers, Le Mas d'Agenais is home to a marvelous old wash basin, and the ruins of a destroyed castle which are both worth a visit.

Damazan is a pretty, quiet and colourful town. Esplanade des Promenades is a beautiful place, where old men sometimes play petanque in the shade of cedars.

Must see
Buzet Vineyard, Aquitaine

Discover Buzet, a pretty town where the great wine Buzet is made. Visit the house of the wine growers and sample a delightful glass of the 'good stuff'.

Agen is a large city with a rich medieval past. Discover the typical timbered houses, the church of the Jacobins, and the rich history of this pretty town.

This stop is for chocolate lovers. Moor at St-Jean-de-Thurac, cross the bridge and walk across to the small village of Sauveterre-St-Denis (2km away). The chocolate master Philippe Jarasson invited you to discover his original creations in his store 'L'Attrape- Rêves. 

In Valence-d'agen, discover a beautiful wash basin that used to work a while ago. It is a pretty place to visit, and the canal banks here are also pleasant for a walk.

Shortly after Valence-d'Agen is the small village of Pommevic. Moor here to go to Auvillar, classified among 'the most beautiful villages of France'. (5km south of the Canal - the slope is steep to get there). Auvillar is worth the detour for its circular, covered market and its impressive viewpoint over the Garonne valley. 

Must see
Moissac Abbey, Aquitaine

Cruising along the Garonne, you will arrive at Moissac and immediately see a luxurious hotel located on the banks. It's called the Moulin de Moissac. The great abbey Saint-Pierre de Moissac is also pleasant to visit.

Castelsarrasin is a flower-filled city with many open gardens, most notably the garden of Clairefont.

Must see
Place Nationale, Montauban, Aquitaine

Walk under the beautiful arches in Montauban, the most populated city in the area. It is a good place to stay for a few days. Note that there is also a huge golf course.

Vianne has a long history to tell you. It begins in the Roman period. War after war, new fortifications appeared, which explains why the church is so well-fortified. It is now a charming and welcoming village with very good restaurants.

Discover Lavardac, a brilliant example of a typical bastide - an organised villages built in the 14th century in the southern France.

Must see
Nerac, Aquitaine

Nerac will offer you wonderful landscapes of a typical village of southern France. Visit and discover the huge Albret Castle. Don't forget the impressive Saint-Nicolas church.

Moncrabeau is a lovely place to visit. You will enjoy its quiet and pretty centre and a visit to the old church, Saint Sigismond de Vialère.

Condom is a typical french village with a beautiful church to see. Take a break here, drink coffee, and marvel at the windmills on the horizon. Don't miss the Armagnac museum.

Valence-sur-Baise is a bastide: an organised village built in the 14th century in southern France. There are beautiful things to discover here, like the architecture of the village, the old timbered-houses, the wash basin, and two churches.

Route suggestions

To help you get an idea of how far you can travel in the time you have, here's a selection of routes to and from our bases in this region. You dont have to stop at all the places listed or follow the route exactly. So long as you return your boat to your end base by the date you've booked - you're free to enjoy your cruise however you like. For a comfortable pace, allowing you time to regularly stop and explore, we'd recommend an average of 2 - 4 hours cruising each day.

Pretty French town square

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Montauban

Le Mas d'Agenais
Damazan
Buzet
Agen
Sauveterre-St-Denis
Valence d'Agen
Auvillar
Moissac
Castelsarrasin
Montauban
Le Mas d'Agenais

60 hr(s) of cruising

246km 86 locks 14 nights

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Montauban

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Montauban

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Overview

On the Canal de Montech, you pass through the scenic Agre forest, where you can’t resist stopping for a picnic lunch of a baguette and local cheese washed down with Bordeaux. Ahead is an amazing boatlift to get you to the Canal latéral à la Garonne and the River Baïse on what is turning out to be a wonderful boat holiday in France!

Top highlights:

  • Wine tasting in Buzet
  • Indulging in fresh chocolate from L'Attrape Rêves in Sauveterre-St-Denis
  • The monuments and circular grain market of Auvillar
  • The beautiful garden of Clairefont in Castelsarrasin

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your holiday:

  • Le Mas d'Agenais: Usually awash with colourful flowers, Le Mas d'Agenais is home to a marvelous old wash basin, and the ruins of a destroyed castle which are both worth a visit.
  • Damazan: Damazan is a pretty, quiet and colourful town. Esplanade des Promenades is a beautiful place, where old men sometimes play petanque in the shade of cedars.
  • Buzet: Discover Buzet, a pretty town where the great wine Buzet is made. Visit the house of the wine growers and sample a delightful glass of the 'good stuff'.
  • Agen: Agen is a large city with a rich medieval past. Discover the typical timbered houses, the church of the Jacobins, and the rich history of this pretty town.
  • Sauveterre-St-Denis: This stop is for chocolate lovers. Moor at St-Jean-de-Thurac, cross the bridge and walk across to the small village of Sauveterre-St-Denis (2km away). The chocolate master Philippe Jarasson invited you to discover his original creations in his store 'L'Attrape- Rêves. 
  • Valence d'Agen: Stroll around Valence d'Agen's pretty streets and see the unusual ancient round wash houses.
  • Auvillar: Shortly after Valence-d'Agen is the small village of Pommevic. Moor here to go to Auvillar, classified among 'the most beautiful villages of France'. (5km south of the Canal - the slope is steep to get there). Auvillar is worth the detour for its circular, covered market and its impressive viewpoint over the Garonne valley. 
  • Moissac: Cruising along the Garonne, you will arrive at Moissac and immediately see a luxurious hotel located on the banks. It's called the Moulin de Moissac. The great abbey Saint-Pierre de Moissac is also pleasant to visit.
  • Castelsarrasin: Castelsarrasin is a flower-filled city with many open gardens, most notably the garden of Clairefont.
  • Montauban: Walk under the beautiful arches in Montauban, the most populated city in the area. It is a good place to stay for a few days. Note that there is also a huge golf course.

60 hr(s) of cruising

246km 86 locks 14 nights
Beautiful medieval town of Nerac

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Moissac, Nérac & Castets-en-Dorthe

Le Mas d'Agenais
Vianne
Damazan
Buzet
Agen
Sauveterre-St-Denis
Valence d'Agen
Auvillar
Moissac
Vianne
Lavardac
Nérac
Marmande
Meilhan-sur-Garonne
Castets en Dorthe
Le Mas d'Agenais

56 hr(s) of cruising

302km 68 locks 14 nights

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Moissac, Nérac & Castets-en-Dorthe

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Overview

You chose this barge holiday in France for its diversity! Languid days tied up in medieval towns wash the tension away as you get into the fun of travelling by boat through the Garonne Valley. You smile as you stop to breathe in the fragrance of Castets-en-dorthe’s wonderful gardens or sip a Bordeaux in Nérac, aside the great Henry IV castle. Agen delights you with urban pleasures!

Top highlights:

  • Indulging in fresh chocolate from L'Attrape Rêves in Sauveterre-St-Denis
  • The monuments and circular grain market of Auvillar
  • Exploring the fortified walls of Vianne
  • Walking along the canal banks of Castets en Dorthe

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your holiday:

  • Le Mas d'Agenais: Usually awash with colorful flowers, Le Mas d'Agenais is home to a marvelous old wash basin, and the ruins of a destroyed castle which are both worth a visit.
  • Damazan: Damazan is a pretty, quiet and colorful town. Esplanade des Promenades is a beautiful place, where old men sometimes play petanque in the shade of cedars.
  • Buzet-sur-baïse: Discover Buzet, a pretty town where the great wine Buzet is made. Visit the house of the wine growers and sample a delightful glass of the 'good stuff'.
  • Agen: Agen is a large city with a rich medieval past. Discover the typical timbered houses, the church of the Jacobins, and the rich history of this pretty town.
  • Sauveterre-St-Denis: This stop is for chocolate lovers. Moor at St-Jean-de-Thurac, cross the bridge and walk across to the small village of Sauveterre-St-Denis (2km away). The chocolate master Philippe Jarasson invited you to discover his original creations in his store 'L'Attrape- Rêves. 
  • Valence d'Agen: Stroll around Valence d'Agen's pretty streets and see the unusual ancient round wash houses.
  • Auvillar: Shortly after Valence-d'Agen is the small village of Pommevic. Moor here to go to Auvillar, classified among 'the most beautiful villages of France'. (5km south of the Canal - the slope is steep to get there). Auvillar is worth the detour for its circular, covered market and its impressive viewpoint over the Garonne valley. 
  • Moissac: Cruising along the Garonne, you will arrive at Moissac and immediately see a luxurious hotel located on the banks. It's called the Moulin de Moissac. The great abbey Saint-Pierre de Moissac is also pleasant to visit.
  • Vianne: Vianne has a long history to tell you. It begins in the Roman period. War after war, new fortifications appeared, which explains why the church is so well-fortified. It is now a charming and welcoming village with very good restaurants.
  • Lavardac: Discover Lavardac, a brilliant example of a typical bastide - an organised village built in the 14th century in southern France.
  • Nerac: Nerac will offer you wonderful landscapes of a typical village of southern France. Visit and discover the huge d'Albret Castle. Don't forget the impressive Saint-Nicolas church.
  • Marmande: In Marmande, the church Notre-Dame de Marmande is really interesting, with its beautiful cloister and its great gardens. Downtown, you will appreciate the decoration of the Place Clemenceau, and also the garden of Verdun.
  • Meilhan-sur-Garonne: In Meilhan-sur-Garonne, there is a place you have to see. Located along the left bank, a beautiful vista across the valley of the Garonne awaits you. It is a perfect spot to have a rest, to fish, or go for a bicycle ride.
  • Castets en Dorthe: In Castets-en-Dorthe, a green and quiet city, you will enjoy having a walk along the canal banks of the Garonne. See the great Hamel Castle and the Eiffel bridge.

56 hr(s) of cruising

302km 68 locks 14 nights
Flower lined streets of Nérac

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Nérac & Moissac

Le Mas d'Agenais
Damazan
Buzet
Lavardac
Vianne
Nérac
Agen
Sauveterre-St-Denis
Valence d'Agen
Auvillar
Moissac
Le Mas d'Agenais

39 hr(s) of cruising

93km 52 locks 7 nights

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Nérac & Moissac

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Nérac & Moissac

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Overview

Romanesque churches, fortified mills, picturesque market squares, and pastoral scenery make a history and heritage canal vacation in France a true delight. This engaging itinerary includes both the Canal Latéral à la Garonne and the River Baïse, two of the Aquitaine’s most beautiful waterways. The varied medieval architecture captivates the eye and transports you back in time.

Top highlights:

  • Playing petanque with the locals in Damazan
  • Wine tasting in Buzet
  • Exploring the fortified walls of Vianne
  • Indulging in fresh chocolate from L'Attrape Rêves in Sauveterre-St-Denis

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your holiday:

  • Le Mas d'Agenais: Usually awash with colourful flowers, Le Mas d'Agenais is home to a marvelous old wash basin, and the ruins of a destroyed castle which are both worth a visit.
  • Damazan: Damazan is a pretty, quiet and colourful town. Esplanade des Promenades is a beautiful place, where old men sometimes play petanque in the shade of cedars.
  • Buzet-sur-baïse: Discover Buzet, a pretty town where the great wine Buzet is made. Visit the house of the wine growers and sample a delightful glass of the 'good stuff'.
  • Lavardac: Discover Lavardac, a brilliant example of a typical bastide - an organised village built in the 14th century in southern France.
  • Vianne: Vianne has a long history to tell you. It begins in the Roman period. War after war, new fortifications appeared, which explains why the church is so well-fortified. It is now a charming and welcoming village with very good restaurants.
  • Nérac: Nerac will offer you wonderful landscapes of a typical village of southern France. Visit and discover the huge d'Albret Castle. Don't forget the impressive Saint-Nicolas church.
  • Agen: Agen is a large city with a rich medieval past. Discover the typical timbered houses, the church of the Jacobins, and the rich history of this pretty town.
  • Sauveterre-St-Denis: This stop is for chocolate lovers. Moor at St-Jean-de-Thurac, cross the bridge and walk across to the small village of Sauveterre-St-Denis (2km away). The chocolate master Philippe Jarasson invited you to discover his original creations in his store 'L'Attrape-Rêves.
  • Valence d'AgenStroll around Valence d'Agen's pretty streets and see the unusual ancient round wash houses.
  • Auvillar: Shortly after Valence-d'Agen is the small village of Pommevic. Moor here to go to Auvillar, classified among 'the most beautiful villages of France'. (5km south of the Canal - the slope is steep to get there). Auvillar is worth the detour for its circular, covered market and its impressive viewpoint over the Garonne valley. 
  • Moissac: Cruising along the Garonne, you will arrive at Moissac and immediately see a luxurious hotel located on the banks. It's called the Moulin de Moissac. The great abbey Saint-Pierre de Moissac is also pleasant to visit.

39 hr(s) of cruising

93km 52 locks 7 nights
Castle of Henry IV in Nerac

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Valence-sur-Baïse & Condom

Le Mas d'Agenais
Damazan
Buzet
Lavardac
Vianne
Nérac
Moncrabeau
Condom
Valence-sur-Baïse
Le Mas d'Agenais

32 hr(s) of cruising

152km 50 locks 7 nights

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Valence-sur-Baïse & Condom

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Overview

You’ll cycle, picnic, shop and explore to your heart’s content! Following the waterways, are relaxed days stopping to see the glassworks at medieval Vianne and ambling through the market square in Nérac. The Armagnac brandy is almond-flavoured nectar, a specialty of the village of Condom. As you indulge on the sundeck, you anticipate with pleasure the boat holiday in France!

Top highlights:

  • Playing petanque with the locals in Damazan
  • Wine tasting in Buzet
  • Exploring the fortified walls of Vianne
  • The Armagnac Museum in Condom

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your holiday:

  • Le Mas d'Agenais: Usually awash with colourful flowers, Le Mas d'Agenais is home to a marvelous old wash basin, and the ruins of a destroyed castle which are both worth a visit.
  • Damazan: Damazan is a pretty, quiet and colorful town. Esplanade des Promenades is a beautiful place, where old men sometimes play petanque in the shade of cedars.
  • Buzet: Discover Buzet, a pretty town where the great wine Buzet is made. Visit the house of the wine growers and sample a delightful glass of the 'good stuff'.
  • Lavardac: Discover Lavardac, a brilliant example of a typical bastide - an organised village built in the 14th century in southern France.
  • Vianne: Vianne has a long history to tell you. It begins in the Roman period. War after war, new fortifications appeared, which explains why the church is so well-fortified. It is now a charming and welcoming village with very good restaurants.
  • Nérac: Nerac will offer you wonderful landscapes of a typical village of southern France. Visit and discover the huge d'Albret Castle. Don't forget the impressive Saint-Nicolas church.

32 hr(s) of cruising

152km 50 locks 7 nights
Traditional French market

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Moissac

Le Mas d'Agenais
Damazan
Buzet
Agen
Sauveterre-St-Denis
Valence d'Agen
Auvillar
Moissac
Le Mas d'Agenais

31 hr(s) of cruising

184km 36 locks 7 nights

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Moissac

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Moissac

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Overview

Passing through the Cacor Aqueduct, you smile with pleasure as you head for Moissac, known for its famous market. You are in the midst of a fantastic barge holiday in France, cycling the towpaths, exploring quaint towns like Agen with its 15th-century church, sampling fois gras, and kicking back on the sundeck just admiring the scenery as you travel.

Top highlights:

  • Wine tasting in Buzet
  • Indulging in fresh chocolate from L'Attrape Rêves in Sauveterre-St-Denis
  • The monuments and circular grain market of Auvillar

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your holiday

  • Le Mas d'Agenais: Usually awash with colourful flowers, Le Mas d'Agenais is home to a marvelous old wash basin, and the ruins of a destroyed castle which are both worth a visit.
  • Damazan: Damazan is a pretty, quiet and colourful town. Esplanade des Promenades is a beautiful place, where old men sometimes play petanque in the shade of cedars.
  • Buzet-sur-baïse: Discover Buzet, a pretty town where the great wine Buzet is made. Visit the house of the wine growers and sample a delightful glass of the 'good stuff'.
  • Agen: Agen is a large city with a rich medieval past. Discover the typical timbered houses, the church of the Jacobins, and the rich history of this pretty town.
  • Sauveterre-St-Denis: This stop is for chocolate lovers. Moor at St-Jean-de-Thurac, cross the bridge and walk across to the small village of Sauveterre-St-Denis (2km away). The chocolate master Philippe Jarasson invited you to discover his original creations in his store 'L'Attrape-Rêves. 
  • Valence d'Agen: Stroll around Valence d'Agen's pretty streets and see the unusual ancient round wash houses.
  • Auvillar: Shortly after Valence-d'Agen is the small village of Pommevic. Moor here to go to Auvillar, classified among 'the most beautiful villages of France'. (5km south of the Canal - the slope is steep to get there). Auvillar is worth the detour for its circular, covered market and its impressive viewpoint over the Garonne valley. 
  • Moissac: Cruising along the Garonne, you will arrive at Moissac and immediately see a luxurious hotel located on the banks. It's called the Moulin de Moissac. The great abbey Saint-Pierre de Moissac is also pleasant to visit.

31 hr(s) of cruising

184km 36 locks 7 nights
Historic bridge in Nérac

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Castets-de-Dorthe & Nérac

Le Mas d'Agenais
Marmande
Meilhan-sur-Garonne
Castets en Dorthe
Le Mas d'Agenais
Damazan
Buzet
Vianne
Lavardac
Nérac
Le Mas d'Agenais

28 hr(s) of cruising

150km 38 locks 7 nights

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Castets-de-Dorthe & Nérac

 

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Overview

It’s a study of contrasts in the beautiful Aquitaine — rural villages are juxtaposed with venerable châteaux on vast estates. Stately churches perch on the shore, often dominating a town’s skyline. As your boat holiday in France progresses, you find yourself admiring your surroundings more and more! Visit historic Nérac with its famous churches and Castets-de-Dorthe’s château!

Top highlights:

  • Fishing in Meilhan-sur-Garonne
  • Walking along the canal banks of Castets-En-Dorthe

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your holiday:

  • Le Mas d'Agenais: Usually awash with colourful flowers, Le Mas d'Agenais is home to a marvelous old wash basin, and the ruins of a destroyed castle which are both worth a visit.
  • Marmande: In Marmande, the church Notre-Dame de Marmande is really interesting, with its beautiful cloister and its great gardens. Downtown, you will appreciate the decoration of the Place Clemenceau, and also the garden of Verdun.
  • Meilhan-sur-Garonne: In Meilhan-sur-Garonne, there is a place you have to see. Located along the left bank, a beautiful vista across the valley of the Garonne awaits you. It is a perfect spot to have a rest, to fish, or go for a bicycle ride.
  • Castets-en-Dorthe: In Castets-en-Dorthe, a green and quiet city, you will enjoy having a walk along the canal banks of the Garonne. See the great Château du Hamel and the Eiffel bridge.
  • Damazan: Damazan is a pretty, quiet and colorful town. Esplanade des Promenades is a beautiful place, where old men sometimes play petanque in the shade of cedars.
  • Buzet-sur-Baïse: Discover Buzet, a pretty town where the great wine Buzet is made. Visit the house of the wine growers and sample a delightful glass of the 'good stuff'.
  • Vianne: Vianne has a long history to tell you. It begins in the Roman period. War after war, new fortifications appeared, which explains why the church is so well-fortified. It is now a charming and welcoming village with very good restaurants.
  • Lavardac: Discover Lavardac, a brilliant example of a typical bastide which were organised villages built in the 14th century in the south of France.
  • Nérac: Nérac will offer you wonderful landscapes of a typical village of southern France. Visit and discover the huge Albret Castle. Don't forget the impressive Saint-Nicolas Church.

28 hr(s) of cruising

150km 38 locks 7 nights
Historic town of Nerac

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Nérac

Le Mas d'Agenais
Damazan
Buzet
Lavardac
Vianne
Nérac
Le Mas d'Agenais

15 hr(s) of cruising

80km 22 locks 4 nights

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Nérac

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Nérac

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Overview

The River Baïse stretches before you, sparkling in the sunshine and leading you closer to charming Buzet. In a few more minutes, you’re tied up and going ashore for some cycling before you and your friends head to an intimate waterside café for dinner. As you lift a glass of Bordeaux, you think your cruise couldn’t get much better!

Top highlights:

  • Wine tasting in Buzet
  • The Chateau de Nérac and Église Saint-Nicolas de Nérac in Nérac
  • Exploring the fortified walls of Vianne

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your holiday:

  • Le Mas d'Agenais: Usually awash with colourful flowers, Le Mas d'Agenais is home to a marvelous old wash basin, and the ruins of a destroyed castle which are both worth a visit.
  • Damazan: Damazan is a pretty, quiet and colourful town. Esplanade des Promenades is a beautiful place, where old men sometimes play petanque in the shade of cedars.
  • Buzet-sur-baïse: Discover Buzet, a pretty town where the great wine Buzet is made. Visit the house of the wine growers and sample a delightful glass of the 'good stuff'.
  • Lavardac: Discover Lavardac, a brilliant example of a typical bastide - an organised village built in the 14th century in southern France.
  • Vianne: Vianne has a long history to tell you. It begins in the Roman period. War after war, new fortifications appeared, which explains why the church is so well-fortified. It is now a charming and welcoming village with very good restaurants.
  • Nérac: Nerac will offer you wonderful landscapes of a typical village of southern France. Visit and discover the huge d'Albret Castle. Don't forget the impressive Saint-Nicolas church.

15 hr(s) of cruising

80km 22 locks 4 nights
Old town centre

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Buzet-sur-Baïse

Le Mas d'Agenais
Damazan
Buzet
Lavardac
Vianne
Le Mas d'Agenais

8 hr(s) of cruising

40km 6 locks 3 nights

Le Mas-d'Agenais RETURN via Buzet-sur-Baïse

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Overview

Aquitaine river cruises are often all about indulging in fine dining and savouring local wines, a nod to your passions and sensory pleasures. As you explore the waters at the heart of this region, it becomes clear why famous French painters favoured the area. Medieval towns with bustling market squares, soaring ramparts and stone fortresses make river cruising in France delightful.

Top highlights:

  • Trying your luck at petanque with the locals in Damazan
  • Wine tasting in Buzet
  • Exploring the fortified walls of Vianne

Example itinerary:

The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your holiday:

  • Le Mas d'Agenais: Usually awash with colorful flowers, Le Mas d'Agenais is home to a marvelous old wash basin, and the ruins of a destroyed castle which are both worth a visit
  • Damazan: Damazan is a pretty, quiet and colourful town. Esplanade des Promenades is a beautiful place, where old men sometimes play petanque in the shade of cedars.
  • Buzet-sur-baïse: Discover Buzet, a pretty town where the great wine Buzet is made. Visit the house of the wine growers and sample a delightful glass of the 'good stuff'
  • Lavardac: Discover Lavardac, a brilliant example of a typical bastide - an organised village built in the 14th century in southern France.
  • Vianne: Vianne has a long history to tell you. It begins in the Roman period. War after war, new fortifications appeared, which explains why the church is so well-fortified. It is now a charming and welcoming village with very good restaurants.

8 hr(s) of cruising

40km 6 locks 3 nights

Our Feefo reviews

Feefo is an independent and impartial review service that requests reviews directly from those who have been on a Le Boat vacation. Below you can read what our past customers think about their Le Boat experience, and trust that what you read is unfiltered, unedited and uncensored.

Added on 2 September 2023

Patrick Straker said

Very warm welcome. Very efficient service both in the office and in the instructions by the boat team. A lovely region of France and great that the locks are all automatic. Comfortable boat with plenty of outside space. Excellent driving position.
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Good day Patrick, Thank you for taking the time to write a five-star review of your boating holiday. We are delighted to hear that you had a great time on your Le Boat experience, and that everything was to your liking. We look forward to welcoming you onboard again. Kind regards Refilwe from Le Boat
Le Mas d'Agenais - Le Mas d'Agenais
Horizon 1
Added on 23 October 2022

David Cramer said

Excellent organization. The boat was first class, clean and ready to go ahead of time. Great communication before and during the trip. Everything was as advertised. Have worked with them 3 times now and would do it again. Beautiful location. Lots to see and do on the canal in this area.
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Good Afternoon David, Thank you for taking the time to write a five-star review of your boating vacation in the Aquitaine region. We love to hear from our repeat clients and we are pleased to hear that the level of service you have received each time has stayed consistent. We wouldn't expect anything less! We are glad you received everything you needed from the Base Team and your boat met your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon! Best Wishes, Le Boat Team
Le Mas d'Agenais - Le Mas d'Agenais
Horizon 5
Added on 21 September 2022

Rachel King said

Wonderful service. Really very helpful and pleasant staff at the base who were always on hand to help. Interesting and pretty villages and towns along the way. Lovely scenery. Well stocked shops. Lovely to see many kingfishers and herons.
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Dear Rachel Thank you for taking the time to write a 5-star review of your experience. We pride ourselves on delivering excellent customer service therefore we are delighted to hear you found are staff helpful and pleasant. We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon. The Le Boat Team
Le Mas d'Agenais - Le Mas d'Agenais
Countess
Added on 29 May 2022

A customer said

We have had only one small repair needed and it was taken care of with minimal inconvenience. The staff has been very helpful at every Le Boat location that we have stopped at. Smooth Sailing Our itinerary started at Le Mas dArgenais for a beginning shake down cruise where we had to return the boat to Le Mas. Our second cruise started at Castlenaudry and will conclude at St. Gilles. We have met many very nice people along the way.
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Good morning, Thank you for your five star review of your boating holidays in France. We are so glad to hear that your boat performed so well with only a minor issues that was easily resolved by our staff. We pride ourselves in delivering excellent customer service and we are glad that you received nothing less from our Base Teams at Le Mas d'Agenais, Castelnaudary and St. Gilles! We look forward to welcoming you on board again in the future! Best, Le Boat Team
Le Mas d'Agenais - Le Mas d'Agenais
Salsa A Boat
Added on 6 September 2021

Adrian Brown said

This was our 5th Le Boat holiday. Every time we go somewhere new, and it is for this reason that we choose Le Boat. They have bases in very interesting areas and even different countries. They have high standards and their people are really amazing and cannot do enough for you to make your holiday as pleasurable and as stress-free as possible. The canal de Garonne is a lovely waterway. Very peaceful and tranquil. When we were there we had the canal to ourselves, and never had to queue for locks, and there were usually plenty of moorings available. The River Baise is even prettier, but sadly due to a water shortage we were unable to reach the very top of the navigable part. Covid has hit the region hard, and the choice of restaurants that were open was limited, but we love going to the markets, of which there are plenty en route to stock up on lots of tasty treats to eat on board. The boat was well-stocked with utensils etc. We had brought some items of our own, such as proper mugs and wine glasses but found those on board perfectly adequate. The fridge was a good size too, and had a decent freezer section, and with an ice tray, so the ice cube tray we brought from home was redundant. The Cirrus B is generally comfortable, but don't expect great luxury. That said, it suited us well as we were a couple only, and experience has shown us that you need a boat that has good access and is not too high out of the water for mooring, working the locks etc. It can also squeeze into smaller moorings. It is a fairly solid little boat and has a wide beam, which makes it very stable, and nor is it blown around by the wind. The only major drawback is the lack of sociable seating when under way as 2 people cannot really sit together. For dining outside too, we tended to use the small area in the bows, but missed the space that we have enjoyed on the Sheba and Commodore.
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Good afternoon Adrian. Thank you for taking the time to provide a 5-star review of your boating holiday on the Canal de Garonne. We pride ourselves on delivering excellent customer service and we are delighted to hear that you received just that from our team. We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon. The Le Boat Team
Le Mas d'Agenais - Le Mas d'Agenais
Cirrus B Boat
Added on 28 September 2019

Sue Lovatt said

Excellent from start to finish, could not fault any part of this experience Excellent holiday again ! Le Boat have excelled themselves with efficient staff from booking to boating. The boat was ready on time for us, well equipped and Lauren instructed us without a fuss and mended the bits that needed attention before we "set sail" The Horizon 5 is very well designed and sufficiently equipped for a wonderful holiday. We loved the boat we didn't want to leave it to go "on shore" for meals, we explored villages occasionally on foot but mostly stayed on board. Cannot compliment Le Boat enough for there excellent service.
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Le Mas d'Agenais - Castelsarrasin
Horizon 5
Added on 14 September 2019

Tadji Kretschmer said

Service was excellent throughout the process...during booking, at the departure base and at the arrival base. This route in Aquitaine is one of my favorites. The scenery and towns are especially beautiful.
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Le Mas d'Agenais - Castelsarrasin
Salsa A Boat
Added on 14 September 2019

A customer said

Helpful staff who listened to and addressed our questions about the cruise route and particular places of interest to us. . Quiet river cruising with all mooring locations with interesting places to visit. Plenty of Kingfishers on the Baise section.
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Le Mas d'Agenais - Castelsarrasin
Horizon 1
Added on 7 September 2019

A customer said

Well appointed. We looked at the competition while we were on the canal. Le Boat was far superior. Great staff. The central office had greatly overbooked and the local crew rallied
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Castelsarrasin - Le Mas d'Agenais
Horizon 5
Added on 7 September 2019

A customer said

This is the second Le Boat trip we have done, the first was along with Mediterranean, which had no locks. The locks on the Garonne Canal were easy to navigate. The boat was perfect for two couples, separate quarters at each end of the boat and two heads. The towns were small but picturesque and fun. We had an absolutely fabulous meal at Auberge du Goujon qui Fretilli near the mooring in Buzet. Don't miss it. Get reservations. We did the side trip on the Garonne River which was well worthwhile. Le Boat staff was friendly and very helpful. Sit back and relax and enjoy. Stated Above --------------------
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Castelsarrasin - Le Mas d'Agenais
Clipper