Saint Louis - The Barge Company

2010
Season
The Barge Company
Relax, Unwind and Let the World Float by...TM
‘Saint Louis’
Cruising in South-West France
The Canal Lateral a la Garonne (Between Montauban and Agen principally, but Bordeaux to
Agen, and Agen to Toulouse are also available, availability permitting)
•
100 FEET LONG (30 METRES)
•
6 GUESTS
•
2—4 CREW
•
3 CABINS—DOUBLE OR TWIN (EACH WITH PRIVATE EN SUITE
BATHROOM)
•
6 GUEST BICYCLES
•
AIR CONDITIONING
•
CENTRAL HEATING
•
LUXURY SUPPORT VEHICLE FOR EXCURSIONS
•
CD PLAYER, STEREO
•
LIBRARY
The lovely Saint Louis was bought in Spring of 2006 by Alasdair and Barbara Wyllie, a charming Scottish couple who
are delighted to welcome all on board their sparkling new barge. Barbara and Alasdair’s aim has been to maintain
and build upon the very high cruising standards established by her very capable previous owners over the past
years. Operating in the Bordeaux region on the Canal Latéral à la Garonne, they will share with you the fascinating
heritage of this region, as well as introducing you to a wide range of cultural and historic centres and events. They
will work their socks off to ensure that your time on board is both interesting and fulfilling by tailoring each day to
your wishes (as far as is reasonably possible, that is!)
The Saint Louis’ beautifully decorated interior saloon provides the perfect atmosphere for sharing a gourmet meal or
after dinner drink with good friends before settling in for the evening. The large sundeck is the ideal spot for lazing
away those sunny afternoons and simply watching the world float by. The cuisine aboard the Saint Louis is inspired
by regional specialties as prepared by Barbara who is your able chef, and meals are planned to accentuate the fine
foods and wines of the region. Take daily excursions to sites of scenic and historic interest with Alasdair as your
Guide and enjoy truly savouring this fine region of France.
2010 PRICES (USD)
Individual cabin bookings (per guest
sharing a double or twin cabin)
$4,189
Single Supplement
$1,257
Charter for up to 4 Guests
$21,156
Charter for up to 6 Guests
$23,994
Wine Appreciation Cruises and Golf Cruises are
also available for most weeks — please contact us
for details.
Both are available for charter bookings only with
no extra supplement. All golfing expenses must
be covered by the guests.
Every booking is a guaranteed departure.
PICK-UP— Around 4pm in Toulouse, Agen or Bordeaux, in
agreement with the barge and depending upon cruise direction.
DROP-OFF— Late morning as above, in agreement with the
barge.
CRUISES START ON A SATURDAY AND END ON
THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY
TO CONTACT US…
Phone: 0033 563 02 87 04, Fax: 0033 563 02 24 11
Phone (Toll-Free from USA+CANADA): 1-800-688-0245
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bargecompany.com
The Barge Cruise Company Ltd.
501 Chemin Lacoste
82170 Grisolles
FRANCE
2010
The Barge Company
Season
Relax, Unwind and Let the World Float by...TM
‘Saint Louis’
Sample Itinerary
Please note. These itineraries are indicative only. The barge operators will always attempt to tailor a cruise
to the interests and wishes of the guests on board. There will always be the opportunity to walk or cycle
along the towpath, to stroll round local villages, to fish, to play petanque, or just to lie back and do nothing! Equally, they can always arrange wine tastings at selected local vineyards, or excursions to other
places of interest.
Bordeaux Region Cruise 1 - Montauban to Agen (or vice versa)
Saturday Meet around 3 pm, normally in Toulouse. Travel by car to the Saint Louis. Champagne reception
on board. Options for the evening include a visit to the local Artisan Distillerie, or a stroll around Montech
town, or a game of petanque beside the boat.
Sunday After breakfast, we take the car for a short excursion around Montauban, City of Art and Culture.
We visit the central Italian square, and the Pont Vieux over the River Tarn. We return to the Saint Louis,
and pass through one lock before joining the main Canal Lateral a la Garonne. We pass down the extraordinary Montech Water Slope, an impressive experience for everyone. We cruise through the canal to Castelsarrasin, where we moor for the night.
Monday After exploring the town in the morning, we cruise to Moissac, City of Roman Art, crossing on the
way the brick aquaduct over the River Tarn. In the afternoon, we visit a famous goat cheese farm at Gensac, and the lovely historic town of Auvillar.
Tuesday We start the day with a visit to the Abbey and 11th century Cloisters at Moissac, reputed to be
the finest cloisters in Europe. After lunch, we cruise to Pommevic where we moor at a small halte under a
deep canopy of trees. In Pommevic there is an 11th century church to visit, or we can take an excursion up
to the lovely mediaeval town of Lauzerte. We are likely to see pilgrims walking the Santiago di Compostella, the ancient pilgrimage route which has been important since the 6th century.
Wednesday After breakfast, we cruise first to Valence, where we stop for lunch. We visit the three Romanesque wash houses in the town, and admire the unusual pigeon houses and half-timbered buildings.
We then cruise to Golfech, where we moor at a quiet Halte.
Thursday Today we make an early start to cruise to the city of Agen, (famous for fruit especially melons
and prunes) taking breakfast under way. On arrival, we take an excursion by car to the amazing mediaeval
city of Nerac, where we see the Chateau of King Henry 4th, and the Gothic Pont Vieux.
Friday After a leisurely breakfast, we leave the Saint Louis and travel by car back to Toulouse.
Bordeaux Region Cruise 2 - Agen to Castets (Bordeaux) or vice versa
Saturday Meet around 3pm, normally in Toulouse (or Bordeaux). Travel by car to the Saint Louis. Champagne reception on board. Evening stroll around the city, or perhaps a game of petanque beside the boat.
Sunday After breakfast we cruise out of Agen, and immediately cross the amazing stone aquaduct over the
River Garonne, followed by four landscaped locks. We moor for the night at the quiet port of Serignac sur
TO CONTACT US…
Garonne, and in the evening we canPhone:
wander
around
the quaint village, with its half-timbered houses and
0033 563 02 87 04, Fax: 0033 563 02 24 11
Phone
(Toll-Free
from
USA+CANADA): 1-800-688-0245
its unusual church.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bargecompany.com
The Barge Cruise Company Ltd.
501 Chemin Lacoste
82170 Grisolles
FRANCE
The Barge Company
Monday In the morning, we take an excursion by car to the amazing mediaeval city of Nerac, where we
2010 of King Henry 4th, and the Gothic Pont Vieux. On the return journey to the boat we see a
see the Chateau
beautiful Romanesque bridge at Lavardac, and we visit the walled bastide town of Vianne, perhaps visiting
Season
one of its glass blowing workshops.
We then
as World
far as Buzet-sur-Baise,
where we moor for the night
Relax, Unwind
andcruise
Let the
Float by...TM
under some shady trees.
Tuesday After breakfast, we can either visit a local traditional barrel-making works, or we can take a
small boat down a pair of locks and into the River Baise, perhaps taking a picnic with us. In the afternoon,
we cruise as far as Mas d’Argenais, where we moor for the night.
Wednesday In the morning we take a walk up into the small market town, where there is a Romanesque
church where there is a painting of the crucifixion painted by Rembrandt. From here we cruise as far as
Meilhan.
Thursday In the morning we take an excursion by car to the nearby town of La Reole, where we visit an
interesting Town Hall in what was originally a 10th century Benedictine monastery. We also can visit a car
museum, before returning to the boat and cruising to our final port at Castets. On arrival, we take our final
excursion, this time to Fontet where there is a matchstick building museum, including models of the Palace
of Versailles and of the cathedral of Reims.
Friday After a leisurely breakfast, we leave the Saint Louis and travel by car back to Toulouse (or Bordeaux)
A Two Week Sample Bordeaux Itinerary
(between Montauban and Castets-en-Dorthe) on the Canal Latéral à la Garonne
Please note most cruises are one week only.
Saturday—Meeting Point - Toulouse, at 3.30 p.m. Drive to St. Louis, moored at her home port at Lacourt
St. Pierre passing by Grenade with its ancient market square. Captain's reception on board, familiarisation
with the boat. After settling in, possible canal-side stroll before dinner.
Sunday—After breakfast, excursion into Montauban by car looking at some of the main features of the
City of Art and Culture including the fine Pont Vieux over the Tarn. Lunch on board then departure through
the first lock and passage to Montech. Join the main Canal Laterale a la Garonne, pass down the famous
Montech Water Slope, and moor for the night in open country. We are joined for dinner by Tom Stevenson
who has a wealth of knowledge of the history of these parts and who is an excellent ‘raconteur’.
Monday—Cruise to Castelsarrasin. Moor and wander through the small town. Here we will be joined by Alistair and Liz Moon, who have lived in south-west France for many years. Cruise over the superb 19th century brick and stone aqueduct which passes over the River Tarn and moor for the night just outside Moissac.
Tuesday—After breakfast, visit some of the fine features of Moissac, including the Abbey whose 11th century cloister is reputed to be one of the most beautiful in the world. This is an amazing small city, called
the City of Roman Art and fully worth the half day we will stop there. Cruise down the canal to Pommevic
where we moor the night. In Pommevic there is an 11th century church with a 14th century altar piece. We
take a gentle excursion in the car to the lovely village of Auvillar where there is an ancient round grain hall
set in a unique triangular square, as well as a museum devoted to the history of commerce on the Garonne
river.
Wednesday—Cruise to Valence where we visit a range of interesting town features, including three public
wash houses and "dovecot square". Excursion in the car to visit some of the local ‘bastides’ villages and
some vineyards, taking a picnic lunch with us.
Thursday—Cruise down the canal to Agen, stopping on the way to visit some interesting small villages by
car. Wander through the old part of the town, visit the fine arts museum and take a look at the 12th century church of St. Hilaire.
TO CONTACT US…
Phone: 0033 563 02 87 04, Fax: 0033 563 02 24 11
Phone (Toll-Free from USA+CANADA): 1-800-688-0245
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bargecompany.com
The Barge Cruise Company Ltd.
501 Chemin Lacoste
82170 Grisolles
FRANCE
The Barge Company
Friday—’Turn around day’. We stay in Agen for the day, situated on the banks of the Garonne, to wander
2010
among the
beautiful flower gardens and view some of the very old buildings; some dating back to the 11th
century. Agen also has the famous covered market for plums and peaches, which are grown in the valleys
Season
TMevening we are joined by two
of the Lot
and Garonne rivers.
Agen
is known
as the
du soleil.
In the
Relax,
Unwind
and Let
the‘cite
World
Float by...
more guests from Scotland, who will be with us for the second week.
Saturday—In the morning we pass over the remarkable 15th century aqueduct crossing over the river Garonne - at 354 metres the longest aqueduct in France. After passing down a flight of four locks, we moor
close to Colume. In the afternoon, we take an excursion in the car to visit the lovely town of Nerac on the
River Baise and the Chateau of King Henry IV, and also view its famous gothic Pont Vieux.
Sunday—Cruise to Buzet-sur-Baise which gives its name to a famous red wine of the region. In the late
afternoon, excursion by car to the mediaeval village of Viannes. This ancient ‘bastide’ of English origin was
founded in 1284 and has remained almost intact. See the church situated near the north gate with a beautiful bell tower and ancient cemetery.
Monday—Visit a traditional barrel maker and winery in Buzet, or the 13th century castle and church. Then
cruise to Mas d'Argenais, passing by the 11th century St. Vincent church with its Crucifixion painted by
Rembrandt.
Tuesday—Visit by car to the mediaeval country town of Marmande. Then cruise to Forques-sur-Garonne
with the possibility of visiting the obelisk erected in memory of those who died in the explosion on the boat
Gascon in 1908. Otherwise visits to nearby mediaeval villages.
Wednesday—Cruise to Hure, with an excursion by car to the interesting village of Meilhan-sur-Garonne,
and beginning to pass through some of the famous Bordeaux vineyards.
Thursday—Excursion to the village of Fontet where there is a fascinating museum devoted to monuments
made in matchsticks. Cruise to Castets sur Dorthe. Farewell dinner on board.
Friday—After breakfast, depart for Toulouse by car arriving there in time for lunch.
TO CONTACT US…
Phone: 0033 563 02 87 04, Fax: 0033 563 02 24 11
Phone (Toll-Free from USA+CANADA): 1-800-688-0245
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bargecompany.com
The Barge Cruise Company Ltd.
501 Chemin Lacoste
82170 Grisolles
FRANCE
2010
Season
The Barge Company
Relax, Unwind and Let the World Float by...TM
‘Saint Louis’
More Pictures…
(Click on an image to enlarge)
Two views of the classic dining room
and bar area
The Blue Cabin
The Red Cabin and Green Cabin
The lovely bathrooms
Cruising through exquisitely sleepy villages...
The Sun Deck
TO CONTACT US…
Phone: 0033 563 02 87 04, Fax: 0033 563 02 24 11
Phone (Toll-Free from USA+CANADA): 1-800-688-0245
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bargecompany.com
The Barge Cruise Company Ltd.
501 Chemin Lacoste
82170 Grisolles
FRANCE
2010
Season
The Barge Company
Relax, Unwind and Let the World Float by...TM
‘Saint Louis’
Client Quotes
Here are just some of the wonderful comments that past clients have made about the
lovely SAINT LOUIS…
This trip was just the creme de la creme! Thank you with all my heart.
Mrs C Cook, Orlando June 2007
Beautiful barge, fabulous food, scintillating and caring crew, stupendous scenery, wonderful wine,
terrific trips - what more could you need to unwind in this stressful world?
Mrs Whittaker, Hampshire May 2007
A truly memorable experience, far surpassing our expectations! We have thoroughly enjoyed every
aspect of this wonderful trip, both on board and excursions to some of the most picturesque sites
we have ever seen.
Mr D Jendry Western Australia May 2007
This has been the trip of a lifetime for me..... the kind attendance of Alasdair + Barbara to our
every need has been wonderful. We have been transported to some truly beautiful sites in every
area we have travelled through. My last word is Blissful!
Mrs Collett Southampton May 2007
Alasdair + Barbara, you have done a fantastic job! You have thoroughly spoiled us! Fantastic
meals, beautiful and interesting scenery... we will miss you all, and thank you for all you did. It
was great!
Mr + Mrs Rieger California May 2007
What an utterly fabulous experience! What wonderous sights we saw, and what yummy food and
wine we consumed, and, especially, what peace and tranquility we found. Would love to repeat the
experience.
Mrs Wovoditch Australia May 2007
TO CONTACT US…
Phone: 0033 563 02 87 04, Fax: 0033 563 02 24 11
Phone (Toll-Free from USA+CANADA): 1-800-688-0245
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bargecompany.com
The Barge Cruise Company Ltd.
501 Chemin Lacoste
82170 Grisolles
FRANCE
2010
Season
The Barge Company
Relax, Unwind and Let the World Float by...TM
‘Saint Louis’
Food and Wine
The food on board will very largely be based on traditional recipes from the Bordeaux region of France, with ingredients sourced from local suppliers on a daily basis. Magret de Canard (duck), foie gras, and seafood will thus
be among the basics of the Saint Louis’s cuisine. The food and the ambiance, will of course be enhanced with a
twist of the owner-operators’ native Scotland! Flexibility, however, will be the key - dietary wishes and special
dietary needs will always be well catered for. The bar will be stocked with a range of excellent regional wines including Bordeaux and Gaillac, as well as a range of local aperitifs and some superb malt whiskies from Scotland!!
SAMPLE DINNER MENU 2
SAMPLE DINNER MENU 1
Starter—Brick de Foie Gras
Julienne de Légumes
Sauce Cèpes
(Foie Gras Pâté with Vegetables and a Wild Mushroom
Sauce)
***
Main Dish—Rôti de Porc aux Pruneaux
Riz Pilaf
Légumes de Saison
(Roast Pork with Prunes with Seasonal Vegetables and
Pilaf Rice)
Starter—Salade de Chèvre Chaud
(Warm Goats Cheese Salad)
***
Main Dish—Eventail de Magret de Canard au
Miel
Légumes de Saison
(Regional Duck cooked in Honey, with Seasonal
Vegetable)
***
Dessert—Plâteau de Fromage
(Selection of Cheeses)
***
***
Dessert—Tarte à la Framboise
(Raspberry Tart)
Crème Dessert au Rhum et Caramel
(Rum and Caramel Cream)
TO CONTACT US…
Phone: 0033 563 02 87 04, Fax: 0033 563 02 24 11
Phone (Toll-Free from USA+CANADA): 1-800-688-0245
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bargecompany.com
The Barge Cruise Company Ltd.
501 Chemin Lacoste
82170 Grisolles
FRANCE
2010
Season
The Barge Company
Relax, Unwind and Let the World Float by...TM
‘Saint Louis’
Deck Plan
TO CONTACT US…
Phone: 0033 563 02 87 04, Fax: 0033 563 02 24 11
Phone (Toll-Free from USA+CANADA): 1-800-688-0245
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bargecompany.com
The Barge Cruise Company Ltd.
501 Chemin Lacoste
82170 Grisolles
FRANCE