There are about 60 boutique hotel barges that cruise along the peaceful and beautiful canals and rivers of France. They vary in size, comfort level and price – and they can be found in all the most attractive regions of France. Some can be booked by cabin (room) others are chartered complete by groups and families. Whatever the details of any particular barge, they all come complete with captain and crew who look after navigation; and professional chef and hostess to care for guests.
People often say that they feel they have been treated ‘like royalty’ and this is a very unique experience. Here is just one example of what that fabulous luxury hotel barge cruise in France is like:
Hotel Barge Saint Louis
Classic Cruises in Aquitaine: Montauban to Boe (Agen) and Boe (Agen) to Meilhan, Canal de Garonne
Hotel barge Saint Louis, provides a week’s luxury cruise between Montauban (nearest city Toulouse) and Boe (Agen); or between Boe (Agen) and Meilhan (nearest city Bordeaux); either in an east-west or west-east direction, on the Canal de Garonne. This beautiful waterway follows alongside the river’s natural course towards the sea. It is considerably less crowded than the better-known Canal du Midi, passes through exquisite countryside, historic towns and pretty villages, and is often considered to be more special. The rhythm of cruising consists of a half day of gliding smoothly along the canal: enjoying the countryside drifting by with a cool drink in your hand, walking the tow path, or biking into that picturesque town across the sunflower fields. The second half of the day is usually spent in a guided exploration of all that the region offers in historical sights, wine tasting, artisan crafts, and culture.
All of your meals will be prepared from fresh local ingredients and served on board by our resident chef. An occasional meal might be enjoyed at a nearby restaurant serving the finest regional cuisine. The fully stocked bar, with excellent wines of the region, coffee, tea and soft drinks is always available. Daily excursions, bicycles, indoor games and a small library are all included.
At the historic town of Moissac, there is the option of leaving the canal to explore a section of the river Tarn and a short section of the river Garonne itself. This is a unique and exclusive option. If you choose this option there are special opportunities to anchor serenely at the unspoiled nature reserve and to observe the many wading and songbirds that live there.
These are some of the waterway highlights, but what remains constant is cruising gently at a moderate walking pace along the peaceful canal, alongside the tow-path, through the verdant countryside, under avenues of plane trees and – usually – beneath blue skies full of sunshine.
Casual Luxury
Saint Louis’ style might best be described as ‘casual luxury’ – this is the style of the interior fittings and furnishings; and the outside lounge deck and its furniture. This concept encapsulates the ethos of the boat, her skipper and crew; and the way in which cruises along the delightful waterways of south-west France aboard Saint Louis are lived. The Saint Louis has just three spacious guest stateroom suites, each a generous 127 square feet in size. Each has an en-suite bathroom with a roomy fully-tiled shower and plenty of hot water. Each is insulated and climate controlled with air-conditioning and central heating. Besides beds (twin or queen-sized double) each cabin has a wardrobe, full-length mirror, dressing table and storage space.
The central saloon and dining room is panelled in hardwood and furnished in style. Windows look out over the water-side scene. There is a well-stocked bar that also features local aperitifs and liqueurs including Armagnac and Floc de Gascogne and – naturally (your hosts are Scots) – an excellent range of malt whiskies.
On the sun deck, there are cushioned solid teak chairs and sun-loungers to provide the perfect elevated canal-side view of the villages and the countryside, the locks and the bridges, as we cruise slowly past. Relax, chat, read a book – or do absolutely nothing except day-dream to the sound of bird-song. Or enjoy an alfresco meal of fresh local ingredients, with a glass of superb local wine.
Superb Food and Wine
On the Saint Louis, the French food tradition has become an integral part of the barging experience. Whether enjoying your meal in the wood-panelled salon or alfresco on the sun deck, the cuisine will remind you that you are in a part of the world where food is treated lovingly and seriously. The superb food on board is largely based on traditional recipes from this region of France prepared with international additions and a twist of our native Ireland. Ingredients are prepared fresh from our local suppliers on a daily basis. Dietary preferences, vegetarian and special needs, are happily respected. Wines are of matching, excellent quality, selected personally from local vineyards including some wonderful examples from Gaillac and Fronton.
Custom Cruising – Unique Flexibility
Saint Louis is unique in the scope offered you to make variations, planned in advance or on the spur of the moment. In fact, just like it would be if the luxury hotel barge, the Saint Louis, was your own private small ship, voyaging through the sunflower fields and vineyards of south-west France!
An All-inclusive Offer – No Hidden Extras
- Transfers to and from the Saint Louis using air-conditioned Mercedes people-carrier. Guests are often picked-up from Toulouse, either from the airport or from one of the hotels. Alternatively, it may be more convenient to meet in Montauban or Agen, or in Bordeaux.
- Accommodation on board for six nights
- All meals taken on board – and any meals taken with Saint Louis ashore
- All coffees, teas, cold drinks, drinks from the bar and drinks with meals
- All excursions and visits
- All cruising costs
- Use of all on-board equipment
- Full-time professional crew of four, devoted to making your stay as comfortable as enjoyable as possible.
► Find out more about hotel barge Saint Louis
► Make an enquiry to get a firm quotation for this or any other hotel barge for the time of year that interests you.
Aquitaine ~ Bordeaux
Aquitaine (once part of England) is an ancient wine-growing region, famed for its St Emilion label amongst others. The Gironde estuary, with its tributaries the rivers Dordogne and Garonne, and the Canal de Garonne, offer cruising for self-drive, hotel barge and riverboat cruising. See the beautiful city of Bordeaux at its best from the waterways.
Just call us to make your dream cruise come true
+1 405 445 0350 | +61 3 9005 8569 | +44 7590 287 178
Our Unique Expertise – France, Cruising the Waterways and Hotel Barging
We have explored the rivers and canals of France on our own boat since 2003, logging up over 10,000km along most waterways, in most regions, at all times of year.
Independent, impartial and enthusiastic, we have personally visited and know every hotel barge, every owner-operator and fleet, published here.
