6 Night Cruise sailing from Montauban to Agen aboard Rosa.

Rosa is an old Dutch "Clipper" barge that was completely refitted in 2010 to a high specification. The air conditioned interior includes a dining room, saloon, bar and four staterooms. Two of the staterooms have double beds and two have twin beds, all of which have full en-suite facilities. Outside there is a spacious sun deck with comfortable furniture.

The four crew consist of a knowledgeable captain, tour guide, housekeeper and a master chef whose culinary master pieces will be a regular delight throughout your cruise. Eight bikes are available for use and your tour guide, an expert in the local area, will be happy to advise you on the best routes to cycle should you wish to explore.

***NOTE: On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. Please check at time of enquiry/booking ***

Sunday, Day 1 Montauban

Following a Champagne Welcome, there is time for a tour of this beautiful old town set on the banks of the River Tarn, before returning for your first dinner aboard.

Monday, Day 2 Montauban to Montech

This morning Rosa meanders up the flight of ten locks on the beautiful, recently restored branch canal skirting the Forest of Agre and moors in the heart of the little town of Montech. In the afternoon we head into the Cotes du Frontonnais wine region in the minibus, for a tasting of the outstanding cuvee 'Optimum' at the renowned Chateau Bellevue la Foret. Return to the barge and try your hand at a game of Boules on the quay this evening before dinner aboard.

Tuesday, Day 3 Montech to Castelsarrasin

We awake to the bustle of the weekly market in the cosy centre of Montech and after accompanying the barge's chef around the stalls in the half-timbered streets, we negotiate the remarkable inclined Water Plane. This amazing feat of engineering by-passes five locks and lowers the barge 43 feet all in one go! Later, we arrive in Castelsarrasin and after a short drive to the Ferme des Jauberts at Angeville we can tour and taste the foie gras of Eric Couderc with some fine local Armagnac. Dinner aboard.

Wednesday, Day 4 Castelsarrasin to Moissac

After breakfast, we cross the River Tarn via a 1000 foot long aqueduct to descend towards Moissac through a staircase of delightful locks and moor for lunch on the River Tarn below the old watermill. Then we may cruise downstream to St. Nicolas de la Grave for an afternoon's swimming or canoeing, or alternatively, we can visit Moissac's 7th century Abbey with its wonderfully preserved cloisters and chapel. This evening we stroll ashore, to savour regional specialties at the acclaimed restaurant 'Le Pont Napoleon', where celebrated TV chef Rick Stein once cooked Tarn-caught pike for the BBC TV series portraying his cruise aboard Rosa.

Thursday, Day 5 Moissac to Valence D'Agen

Today the Rosa rises up from the Tarn and turns West on the brick-lined canal through Moissac. After negotiating the swing bridge, we cruise between the placidly flowing waters of the Garonne and the foothills of the Quercy massif, before mooring at Pommevic. After lunch we drive to Auvillar, a 15th century village famous for its pottery and perched high on the side of a gorge above the River Garonne. Return to Rosa and cruise to Valence d'Agen and a tour of this old "Bastide" town with its Palladian canalside public wash-house and arcaded market place. Dinner aboard.

Friday, Day 6 Valence D'Agen to Agen

A morning cruise through the bucolic countryside to Lamagistcre. From here we can travel the ten minutes by cycle or minibus to Donzac and its Conservatoire of traditional trades, where we step back in time to see the extensive exhibition of rural life, before returning to Rosa for a leisurely cruise to the historic town of Agen. After lunch, we visit Chateau du Frandat for private tastings of their esteemed Armagnac and Floc du Gascogne and Buzet wines in delightful surroundings. Captains Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday, Day 7

disembark.