In Aquitaine, the land of King Henry IV and d'Artagnan, you will be in the south but far from the mass river tourism.
You will navigate on the Canal Latéral à la Garonne which connects the Canal du Midi to the Gironde estuary and on the Baïse, a pretty little river lined with bastides, abbeys, and Gascony castles, all in a rural and wooded environment.
You will therefore have the choice of navigation between river or canal.
Aquitaine is part of the Midi Aquitaine destination that we offer for your next river cruise.
If you do not find what you are looking for in the choice of license-free habitable boats available in Aquitaine, we offer several waterways suitable for river tourism and license-free boat rentals: Canal du Midi, Lot, Charente.
Must-sees in Aquitaine by boat
- Armagnac will go well with all the gastronomic specialties of the South West that you will find in the many local markets.
- It would be a shame not to leave the boat for a few hours to visit the local architectural heritage. Bastide, castles, and abbeys.
A few stops on your cruise in Aquitaine
The Baïse
Navigable from Valence-sur-Baïse and over 60 km, to Saint Léger before joining the Garonne, the Baïse is a very pleasant river, mainly equipped with automatic locks.
Saint Leger. A long journey between two dense rows of trees is punctuated by the passage of the Buzet lock, with its very beautiful garden awarded several times.
Buzet Sur Baïse. The nautical base of this village offers all services as well as a selection of wines and regional products.
Vianne. A pleasant small town with regular streets and surrounded by a wall, Vianne is home to many artisans who will be happy to show you their specialties and regional products.
Lavardac. At the time, this small town was the main town of boatmen. Today, the old docks offer very pleasant mooring, very close to the city center and shops that provide everything you might need.
Nerac. Arriving at the port of Nérac is an unforgettable experience. Be sure to stroll through its many cobweb-like streets that house beautiful small workers' houses under restoration.
Condom. Condom is a pleasant small rural town that houses some beautiful monuments. The administrative center is located in a superb building and the Town Hall above old cloisters.
Valence Sur Baïse. Another bastide established by Cistercian monks in 1274, Valence overlooks the Baïse from a hill.
Canal Latéral à la Garonne
The Canal Latéral à la Garonne follows the gentle slope of the Garonne valley, offering all the advantages of a lateral canal, good supply even in the middle of summer, moderate drop, and a limited number of locks. Almost all locks are mechanized which allows the boater to stop in the middle of the section without disturbing the operation of a series of locks.
Toulouse. The city is located at the meeting point of the Canal du Midi and the Canal Latéral à la Garonne, many restoration works have been carried out on the banks to protect the bridges and docks. The harbor master's office is near the port of Saint Sauveur. It has just been restored and offers all the necessary services.
Grisolles. You will find in this small town all the shops you will need. For enthusiasts, the Frontonnais wine region is nearby and produces a very affordable light wine.
Montauban. On the Montech Canal: A new harbor master's office and new pontoons have just been installed at the old commercial port. The city center is signposted from the harbor master's office, where you can see beautiful buildings. The Sapiacou lock, built of cut stone and red brick, is visible opposite the port of Montauban. It is one of the most beautiful works on the navigable Tarn.
Montech. The Montech water slope is reserved for boats over 20 m. Pleasure boats are required to use the locks. Water and electricity terminals have been put back into service on the old unloading docks of the disused factory. The place is ideal for docking.
Castelsarrasin. A must-stop between Toulouse and Bordeaux, the large port of Jacques-Yves Cousteau is very well equipped for boaters. The harbor master's office, which also houses the tourist office, is located behind the port.
Moissac. The cloistered abbey from the 11th century is one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in the region. Near the abbey, there is the very beautiful sculpted door of the St Pierre church.
Valence d'Agen. A beautiful example of a bastide (or royal town), do not hesitate to visit the city center with its irregular streets and large squares. Three beautiful washhouses are visible and during the summer the halls adorning the squares are very lively with markets and fairs.
6 km away, the village of Auvillar is classified among the most beautiful villages in France. At the top of the hill, the old town overlooks the former boatmen's district.
Between Valence d'Agen and Agen, the canal runs along the railway, be careful where you stop so as not to be disturbed by passing trains.
Agen. The main town of the Lot-et-Garonne department, the city is now known for its prunes. To discover it, you can visit the Pruneau Space but many other shops will offer it to you in all its forms: macerated in alcohol, coated with chocolate, or stuffed with compote...
At the exit of the city, you will cross the magnificent Agen canal bridge with a total length of 580 m and comprising 23 arches followed by a series of 4 locks.
Buzet Sur Baïse. The main town of a small wine region, the village of Buzet produces a light and fruity wine that goes very well with the dishes of the region.
On the village side, moorings are free for passing boats, moorings in ports are chargeable beyond a day. It is also here that the passage on the Baïse takes place.
Damazan. This former fortified bastide retains some remnants of its domination by the English. In the central square of the village, there is a covered market that hosts an exhibition of craft items throughout the summer.
Le Mas d'Agenais. In the center of the village, the beautiful Romanesque church of St Vincent houses a representation of the crucifixion painted by Rembrandt. This splendid work of art is part of a series of seven paintings, the other six are exhibited in Munich.
Marmande. This town mainly works on the production of fruits and vegetables, notably the famous Marmande tomato, Agen prunes, and various varieties of strawberries and melons. The Côtes du Marmandais region also produces a renowned wine.
Photos: Nicols, Le Boat.