All the following routes assume collecting the boat at 1500 hrs and, in some cases,
spending the first night in Port here at Meilhan-sur-Garonne. The distances (in kilometres)
and number of locks for each day are shown at the end of the line followed by the cruising
hours (rounded to the half hour) and based on a 5 km/lock per hour pace although peak
season traffic may reduce this speed on the River Baise.
Route One - 1 Week - Meilhan to Valence d'Agen and return. 188 kms/38 locks
This is a slightly ambitious route as it involves some lengthy days
cruising.
Day 2
35 kms/ 7 locks/
8 hrs.
Top up your water and set off. After
19 kms and 4 locks you will arrive at Le Mas d'Agenais where there
are a variety of small shops clustered round the old Market Square
and the Church of St Vincent here contains a genuine Rembrandt.
Continuing past Villeton, you will eventually arrive at Damazan.
This is a pretty village, originally fortified, set high above the
canal and it offers shops, bars and restaurants. The centre of the
village features a covered market area with surrounding covered
walkways and shops and it is well worth the walk up the hill to
explore.
Day 3
33 kms/9 locks
8 hrs.
Top up your water here and set off on
the short 4 km, lock free cruise towards Buzet. There are 2 Ports
in Buzet and it is a busy area with a number of small "Day" boats
zipping about. Shortly after Buzet you pass through 2 locks that are
separated by a short pound and interlinked electronically and then
the canal passes over the River Baïse. You now follow a series of
bends before the canal opens out onto the straight run towards Agen.
After 21 kms and 5 locks you will arrive at Serignac, which makes a
convenient stop for lunch. The village has a good shop and an
interesting church steeple. After setting off again it is 11 kms to
the foot of the Agen flight of locks. After the locks you cross over
the spectacular 589 metre long Pont Canal d'Agen then enter the first
of 2 basins, continue to the second basin and choose your mooring -
to the far right is the Locaboat base that is convenient for the town
centre or you can moor on the grass opposite here. There are also
good moorings on the right bank of the canal, just through the bridge.
Day 4
26 kms/3 locks
6 hrs.
The first lock is 10 kms after Agen so
you can get an early start if you wish. As you leave the suburbs of
Agen behind, the railway joins the canal and they are close together
for much of the day. Being "honked" at by a TGV is not unusual but
although it is a major line, it is not particularly busy or
intrusive. You will also see one or two spirals of steam rising in
the distance from the cooling towers of the Golfech Power Station.
On approaching Golfech, there is some lovely parkland and a lake on
the left where you can moor for lunch. From here Valence d'Agen is a
couple of lock free kms away. On arrival in Valence try and moor in
the Port itself but if there is insufficient room, turn the boat
round and moor on the bank near the bridge. Valence is a lovely town
with all the facilities you could want.
Days 5 - 7.
You are now retracing your steps and are now familiar
with the places you have passed so the stops are really only for
guidance. You may be surprised how different the canal will seem on
your return and there is still much to see and explore.
Route Two - 1 Week - Meilhan to Serignac (via Castets) and return. 146 kms/28 locks.
This is a relaxed route and incorporates a free morning on Day 7 to get a taxi into Marmande (5 kms).
Day 2
26 kms/7 locks
6.5 hrs.
Head off towards the end of the
canal. Although ignored by many hire boats, this is arguably the
prettiest part of the canal and it is a very pleasant cruise. On
passing Lock 51 and arriving in Castets, moor on the left and walk
down to Lock 53, which is the tidal lock into the River Garonne.
Make sure you look under the external steps of the lockkeeper's
cottage at all the flood markings. After lunch you can return
towards Fontet or Hure. In Fontet, close to the canal, is a
fascinating museum that includes models made of matchsticks and it is
open every afternoon between March and September.
Day 3
34 kms/6 locks
8 hrs.
After setting off, stop at our base as
you pass through Meilhan to top up your water. When you arrive at Le
Mas d'Agenais there are a variety of small shops clustered round the
old Market Square and the Church of St Vincent here contains a
genuine Rembrandt - this is a pleasant village to stop at for lunch.
As you continue towards Villeton you will pass the Halte Nautigue at
Lagruere where there is a pleasant café in a shady stretch of the
canal. At Villeton there is another Halte Nautique with a restaurant
and the seasonal "Musee de la Memoire Paysanne".
Day 4
30 kms/5 locks
7 hrs.
Set off towards Buzet - you will have
time to visit Damazan on Day 5 or 6. There are 2 Ports in Buzet and
it is a busy area with a number of small "Day" boats zipping about.
Shortly after Buzet you pass through 2 locks that are separated by a
short pound and interlinked electronically and then the canal passes
over the River Baïse. You now follow a series of bends before the
canal opens out onto the straight run towards Agen. You will arrive
at Serignac, which makes a convenient overnight stop and the village
has a good shop and an interesting church steeple.
Day 5
21 kms/5 locks
4 hrs.
Today is a short day, with a
leisurely cruise back towards Buzet. You can spend time here tasting
some local wines and afterwards continue towards Damazan. This is a
pretty village, originally fortified, high above the canal and it
offers shops, bars and restaurants. The centre of the village
features a covered market area with surrounding covered walkways and
shops and it is well worth the walk up the hill to explore.
Day 6
24 kms/4 locks
6.5 hrs.
This is a longer day but an
attractive cruise back to Pont des Sables. Here you can find shady
moorings and a number of restaurants for the evening. If you call in
at the Emeraude Navigation office, they can order a taxi for the
following morning to take you into Marmande.
Day 7
11 kms/3 locks
3 hrs.
After spending part of the day in
Marmande, you return to your boat with a short 11 kms and 3 locks of
cruising back to our base.
Route Three - 1 Week - Meilhan to Agen and return. 136 kms/28 locks.
This is another more relaxed route but it assumes some cruising on
the handover day. It then incorporates a number of short days to
allow sightseeing and exploring in Agen, Damazan and Le Mas d'Agenais.
Day 1
11 kms/3 locks
3 hrs.
Pont des Sables is a short cruise away
and offers easy moorings with nearby restaurants.
Day 2
28 kms/4 locks
6.5 hrs.
The run to Buzet is attractive,
passing the pretty villages of Le Mas d'Agenais and Damazan both of
which are included as sightseeing stops on your return. There are 2
Ports in Buzet and it is a busy area with a number of small "Day"
boats zipping about. We suggest that you moor at the first Port
where there is a restaurant on site or you can walk up into the
village where there are alternative restaurants.
Day 3
29 kms/7 locks
7.5 hrs.
Shortly after Buzet you pass through
2 locks that are separated by a short pound and interlinked
electronically and then the canal passes over the River Baïse. You
now follow a series of bends before the canal opens out onto the
straight run towards Agen. After 21 kms and 5 locks you will arrive
at Serignac, which makes a convenient stop for lunch. The village
has a good shop and an interesting church steeple. After setting off
again it is 11 kms to the foot of the Agen flight of locks. After
the locks you cross over the spectacular 589 metre long Pont Canal
d'Agen then enter the first of 2 basins, continue to the second basin
and choose your mooring
to the far right is the Locaboat base that
is convenient for the town centre or you can moor on the grass
opposite here. There are also good moorings on the right bank, just
through the bridge.
Day 4
12 kms/4 locks
3 hrs.
Spend the morning visiting Agen and
have lunch at the Café de la Gare (of Rick Stein fame) but try and be
seated before midday to beat all the office workers. In the
afternoon you pass back down the Agen flight of locks and head back
to Serignac for the night.
Day 5
21 kms/5 locks
5 hrs.
An easy day this as after leaving
Serignac you will be able to take a leisurely lunch at Buzet before
arriving at Damazan. This is a pretty village, originally
fortified, high above the canal and it offers shops, bars and
restaurants. The centre of the village features a covered market
area with surrounding covered walkways and shops and it is well worth
the walk up the hill to explore.
Day 6
16 kms/3 locks
4 hrs.
Another easy day with time to collect
supplies from Damazan before setting off to Le Mas D'Agenais where
there are a variety of small shops clustered round the old Market
Square. The Church here contains a genuine Rembrandt.
Day 7
19 kms/4 locks
5 hrs.
The last day is also an easy going one
and you have time to pass through Meilhan and explore more of the
western end of the canal if you wish.
Note: Days 4 to 7 are virtually half days and by increasing your
cruising hours you could easily extend your journey to include the
western end of the canal.
Route Four - 1 Week - Meilhan to Nerac and return. 122 kms/30 locks.
This route incorporates the River Baïse from Buzet to Nerac and its
availability will always be dependent on the river conditions.
Information on the river conditions will be given before you leave
and again at Buzet prior to you descending to the river.
Day 2
26 kms/5 locks
6.5 hrs.
Top up your water and set off.
After 19 kms and 4 locks you will arrive at Le Mas d'Agenais where
there are shops and the church contains a genuine Rembrandt.
Continuing after lunch towards Villeton, you will pass the Halte
Nautigue at Lagruere where there is a pleasant café in a shady
stretch of the canal. At Villeton there is another Halte Nautique
with a restaurant and the seasonal "Musee de la Memoire Paysanne".
Day 3
22 kms/5 locks
6 hrs.
Setting off in the morning you will
soon arrive at Damazan.
This is a pretty village, originally
fortified, high above the canal and it offers shops, bars and
restaurants. The centre of the village features a covered market
area with surrounding covered walkways and shops and it is well worth
the walk up the hill to explore.
From Damazan it is a short 4 km, lock free cruise towards Buzet.
There are 2 Ports in Buzet and it is a busy area with a number of
small "Day" boats zipping about. Pull over near the second port,
which is the base for Aquitaine Navigation and the office here has
lots of information about the area. You should also walk over to the
lockkeeper's cottage for a briefing on river conditions and lock
procedures and agree a time for descending to the river. Once on the
river, TURN RIGHT and it is a short cruise to the lovely old Bastide
town of Vianne.
Day 4
12 kms/5 locks
3.5 hrs.
You could stop at Laverdac but we
would suggest that you continue to Nerac. Nerac is a beautiful,
historic town with ideal moorings in the centre and a wide range of
restaurants and other facilities. Gather some brochures whilst you
are at the Capitainerie and plan your sightseeing over a coffee at a
nearby café.
Day 5
12 kms/5 locks
3.5 hrs.
An early start will give you a
chance to see some more of Nerac before setting off back towards
Vianne. Remember that you are now travelling downstream and make
allowances for the current carrying you towards locks and weirs etc.
Day 6
29 kms/6 locks
7 hrs.
This is a gentle days cruising. At
Buzet you ascend the double lock and continue to Le Mas d'Agenais.
Day 7
19 kms/4 locks
5 hrs.
This is yet another gentle day
returning to Meilhan.
Route Five - 11 Days - Meilhan to Moissac and return. 222 kms/44
locks.
This route incorporates time to explore both Moissac and Valence
d'Agen but this exploration time is created at the cost of doing a
couple of long cruising days.
Day 2
26 kms/5 locks
6.5 hrs.
Top up your water and get under way.
After 19 kms and 4 locks you will arrive at Le Mas d'Agenais where
there are a variety of small shops clustered round the old Market
Square and the Church of St Vincent here contains a genuine Rembrandt.
Continuing after lunch towards Villeton, you will pass the Halte
Nautigue at Lagruere where there is a pleasant café in a shady
stretch of the canal. At Villeton there is another Halte Nautique
with a restaurant and the seasonal "Musee de la Memoire Paysanne".
Day 3
30 kms/5 locks
7 hrs.
Set off towards Buzet. There are 2
Ports in Buzet and it is a busy area with a number of small "Day"
boats zipping about. Shortly after Buzet you pass through 2 locks
that are separated by a short pound and interlinked electronically
and then the canal passes over the River Baïse. You now follow a
series of bends before the canal opens out onto the straight run
towards Agen. You will arrive at Serignac, which makes a convenient
overnight stop and the village has a good shop and an interesting
church steeple.
Day 4
12 kms/4 locks
3 hrs.
Setting off again it is 11 kms to the
foot of the Agen flight of locks so you can afford to get underway
early to arrive for the opening of the locks. After the locks you
cross over the spectacular 589 metre long Pont Canal d'Agen then
enter the first of 2 basins, continue to the second basin and choose
your mooring - to the far right is the Locaboat base that is
convenient for the town centre or you can moor on the grass opposite
here. There are also good moorings on the right bank, just through
the bridge. Spend the rest of the day visiting Agen and possibly
have lunch at the Café de la Gare (of Rick Stein fame) but try and be
seated before midday to beat all the office workers.
Day 5
26 kms/3 locks
6 hrs.
The first lock is 10 kms after Agen so
you can get an early start if you wish. As you leave the suburbs of
Agen behind, the railway joins the canal and they are close together
for much of the day. Being "honked" at by a TGV is not unusual but
although it is a major line, it is not particularly busy or
intrusive. You will also see one or two spirals of steam rising in
the distance from the cooling towers of the Golfech Power Station.
On approaching Golfech, there is some lovely parkland and a lake on
the left where you can moor for lunch. From here Valence d'Agen is a
couple of lock free kms away. On arrival in Valence try and moor in
the Port itself but if there is insufficient room, turn the boat
round and moor on the bank near the bridge. Valence is a lovely town
with all the facilities you could want.
Day 6
17 kms/5 locks
4.5 hrs.
On leaving Valence you enter a cool,
tree-lined section of canal and pass possible stopping places for the
return journey at Pommevic and Malause. Shortly after Malause the
canal shares a narrow strip of flat land with the TGV line to your
left and the confluence of the Rivers Tarn and Garonne to your right.
For the last few kilometres of the approach to Moissac, the canal
runs alongside the River Tarn. On approaching the Port there is a
swing bridge that is normally closed to the canal. It is manned and
operates to the same hours as the locks. Slow down and sound your
horn to attract the bridge keepers' attention.
Moissac is a lovely town with its cloisters, Market Square, shops
and the river frontage, all of which should be explored.
Note: For those on a 14-day cruise, you could reduce your daily
cruising and leave Moissac as your destination. Alternatively, you
could continue as far as Castelsarrassin or Montech.
Route Six - 2 Weeks - Meilhan to Valence-sur-Baise and return.
186kms/58 locks.
This route incorporates the navigable River Baïse from Buzet to
Valence-sur-Baise and its availability will always be dependent on
the river conditions. Information on these conditions and details of
lock operations are available at Buzet. On this cruise it is
important to keep up to date with navigational conditions and
guidance is available at the various ports of call. There are many
historic sites fairly close to the river and this cruise is paced to
permit excursions by bike or taxi to some of these.
Day 2
26 kms/5 locks
6.5 hrs.
Top up your water and get under way.
After 19 kms and 4 locks you will arrive at Le Mas d'Agenais where
there are a variety of small shops clustered round the old Market
Square and the Church of St Vincent here contains a genuine Rembrandt.
Continuing after lunch towards Villeton, you will pass the Halte
Nautigue at Lagruere where there is a pleasant café in a shady
stretch of the canal. At Villeton there is another Halte Nautique
with a restaurant and the seasonal "Musee de la Memoire Paysanne".
Day 3
22 kms/5 locks
6 hrs.
Setting off in the morning you will
soon arrive at Damazan. This is a pretty village, originally
fortified, high above the canal and it offers shops, bars and
restaurants. The centre of the village features a covered market
area with surrounding covered walkways and shops and it is well worth
the walk up the hill to explore.
From Damazan it is a short 4 km, lock free cruise towards Buzet.
There are 2 Ports in Buzet and it is a busy area with a number of
small "Day" boats zipping about. Pull over near the second port,
which is the base for Aquitaine Navigation and the office here has
lots of information about the area. You should also walk over to the
lockkeeper's cottage for a briefing on river conditions and lock
procedures and agree a time for descending to the river. Once on the
river TURN RIGHT, it is a short cruise to the lovely old Bastide of
Vianne.
Day 4
12 kms/5 locks
4 hrs.
Setting off from Vianne, it is a
leisurely cruise to Nerac. Nerac is a beautiful, historic town with
ideal moorings in the centre and a wide range of restaurants and
other facilities. Gather some brochures whilst you are at the
Capitainerie and plan your sightseeing over a coffee at a nearby
street café.
Day 5
13 kms/7 locks
4 hrs.
Another short day that gives you more
time to explore Nerac before heading towards Moncrabeau. This is an
interesting old town with some bizarre local customs and makes a
pleasant stop.
Day 6
21 kms/7 locks
6 hrs.
We suggest that you pass through
Condom today and continue to the limit of navigation at Valence-sur-
Baïse. This is a pretty village with good facilities and a pleasant
port area in which to pass the night.
Day 7
10 kms/4 locks
3 hrs.
Today is another short day with a
leisurely cruise to Condom. This is a pleasant market town with a
good range of restaurants and a Museum dedicated to Armagnac. The
old port area was originally used for shipping the local Armagnac to
other parts of France.
Day 8
25 kms/10 locks
7 hrs.
This is a longer day but it takes you
back to Nerac for the night.
Day 9
12 kms/5 locks
4 hrs.
This is a short day (a half day
really) that takes you back to the pretty Bastide of Vianne.
Day 10
29 kms/6 locks
7 hrs.
Leaving Vianne, you follow the river
to Buzet, climbing the double lock back onto the canal and returning
to Le Mas d'Agenais.
Day 11
19 kms/4 locks
5 hrs.
The final day consists of a short
cruise back to our base at Meilhan-sur-Garonne.
