This delightful captained cruise takes you down the tranquil Canal de Garonne to explore Castelsarrasin, Moissac, Lauzerte and medieval towns and villages, including Nerac, Golfech and historic Auvillar. Or taking the northern route to Castets, visit Serignac, Buzet, Damazan, Mas d'Agenais and Meilhan. Enjoy fine food and wine as you discover the secrets of the Midi-Pyrenees and Aquitaine.
In the south-bound itinerary, visit Montauban, which was the birthplace of Ingres and home to the Musée Ingres where many of his paintings are on display. The next day, Saint Louis passes down the famous Water Slope at Montech and continues to Moissac, crossing a graceful aqueduct across the River Tarn. See the notable 11th-century cloistered abbey with an impressive tympanum and visit a goats cheese farm at Gensac before driving to Auvillar. This pretty walled village is on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. There follows a visit to the medieval town of Lauzerte and its arcaded square before continuing to Agen and Nerac, for the Chateau of Henry VI.
Alternatively, the northern route takes in the remarkable Agen aqueduct and the quaint Bastide villages of Serignac and Vianne, where you can visit a glass-blowing workshop. Close to Damazan, visit a wine and Armagnac producer, learn about old country ways in Villeton and see the old roman walls of Mas d'Angenais.
Some departures in July and August coincide with the atmospheric outdoor spectacle of the Au Fil de l'Eau in Valence, which involves over 450 actors. The Saint Louis has just three double staterooms, each en suite and air-conditioned. There is a spacious saloon with a well-stocked bar and dining area, and the comfortable sun deck is sometimes used for dining outdoors.