Barge Cruise: Rosa
Cruise In Southwest France On The Canal Lateral A La Garonne On The First Class Hotel-Barge ROSA
BARGE CRUISES: SEVEN DAYS/SIX NIGHTS
The 8-passenger Rosa is an old Dutch " Clipper " barge that was built in 1907, sailed on the Dutch seas and converted into a hotel barge in 1990. The interior includes a dining room, saloon, bar and four cabins. Two of the cabins have queen beds, one has a queen bed or two twins and one has twin beds, all including an ensuite bathroom with shower. Outside there is a spacious sun deck with comfortable lounge chairs and table for dining alfresco.
The four crew consist of a knowledgeable captain, tour guide, housekeeper and a master chef whose culinary creations 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.
The Rosa cruises in the Gascony region in Southwest France on the tranquil Canal Lateral a la Garonne between Agen and Montauban, passing through a region with a veritable palette of colours and scents created by orchards and vineyards. You will visit historic fortified "bastides" such as Valence d'Agen, learn more about the region's artists and rural culture, and cruise by picturesque old villages and quaint farms. The captain will negotiate the amazing inclined water plane at Montauban and the 1000 foot aqueduct over the River Tarn. This itinerary includes tastings of foie gras, local fine wines and Armagnac, together with guided tours of the places where they are produced.
The Rosa offers a second cruise route from July through October which is further west on the canal between Boe, near Agen, and Castets-en-Dorthe, near Bordeaux, and includes a visit to Saint Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with tastings of premier cru and grand cru wines. We stayed on board in 2013, met the owner, enjoyed the cuisine, explored the cruise region and particularly liked the cheerful, modern decor in the salon.
Features
- Size of barge: 98 x 16 ft 4 in
- Number of Passengers: 8
- Number of Cabins (all with private bath): 4
- Crew: 4
- Air Conditioning and Central Heating: Yes
- Salon:Comfortable sofas, coffee table and dining area
- Bar: Open bar
- Deck: Sundeck with dining table and chairs, sun loungers, large parasols and spa pool
- Spa Tub: Yes
- Cabin Features: Two cabins with queen bed 104 - 114 sq ft, one cabin with twin beds or queen 91 sq ft, one cabin with twin beds 105 sq ft, all including ensuite bathroom with shower
- Vehicle for Transfers/Excursions: Air-conditioned 9-seater (including driver) VW Caravelle minivan
- Accessibility: Gangplank with rope handrails on both sides and 4 steps onto the deck. 4 steps into the saloon and 3 steps to the cabins. Handrails inside the barge
- Bicycles: 8 touring bicycles
- Wi-Fi: Yes - limited in some areas
Rosa's Deck Plan
| ROSA 2021 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| TYPE | VALUE Apr 11 thru Apr 24 Jul 18 thru Aug 28 Oct 3 thru Oct 30 |
REGULAR Apr 25 thru Jul 17 Aug 29 thru Oct 2 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,650 |
$5,350 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,700 |
$1,950 |
| Charter for 6 |
$31,900 |
$36,800 |
| Charter for 7 |
$33,100 |
$38,200 |
| Charter for 8 |
$34,300 |
$39,600 |
| ROSA 2022 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| TYPE | VALUE Apr 10 thru Apr 30 Jul 17 thru Aug 27 Oct 9 thru Oct 29 |
REGULAR May 1 thru Jul 16 Aug 28 thru Oct 8 |
| Cabin (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,850 |
$5,590 |
| Single Occupancy Supplement |
$1,800 |
$2,050 |
| Charter for 6 |
$33,200 |
$38,400 |
| Charter for 7 |
$34,500 |
$39,900 |
| Charter for 8 |
$35,800 |
$41,400 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge, in a cabin with private bath
- Transfers from Toulouse or Bordeaux to the barge and return, depending on the cruise route
- All meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday, including one dinner at a local restaurant
- All wines with lunches and dinners
- Open bar - All escorted side-excursions (hot air ballooning, golf, etc. at additional cost)
- Use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- Overseas air transportation to Paris and return
- Transportation from Paris to Toulouse or Bordeaux and return
- Suggested 5-7% gratuity for the crew to be paid in equivalent Euros to the captain
- Trip cancellation insurance
|
Rosa 2021 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Apr 11 | Agen-Montauban | Value |
| Apr 18 | Montauban-Agen | Value |
| Apr 25 | Agen-Montauban | Regular |
| May 2 | Montauban-Agen | Regular |
| May 9 | Agen-Montauban | Regular |
| May 16 | Montauban-Agen | Regular |
| May 23 | Agen-Montauban | Regular |
| May 30 | Montauban-Agen | Regular |
| Jun 6 | Agen-Montauban | Regular |
| Jun 13 | Montauban-Agen | Regular |
| Jun 20 | Agen-Montauban | Regular |
| Jun 27 | Montauban-Agen | Regular |
| Jul 4 | Agen-Montauban | Regular |
| Jul 11 | Montauban-Agen | Regular |
| Jul 18 | Boe-Castets | Value |
| Jul 25 | Castets-Boe | Value |
| Aug 1 | Boe-Castets | Value |
| Aug 8 | Castets-Boe | Value |
| Aug 15 | Boe-Castets | Value |
| Aug 22 | Castets-Boe | Value |
| Aug 29 | Boe-Castets | Regular |
| Sep 5 | Castets-Boe | Regular |
| Sep 12 | Boe-Castets | Regular |
| Sep 19 | Castets-Boe | Regular |
| Sep 26 | Boe-Castets | Regular |
| Oct 3 | Castets-Boe | Value |
| Oct 10 | Boe-Castets | Value |
| Oct 17 | Castets-Boe | Value |
| Oct 24 | Boe-Castets | Value |
|
Rosa 2022 Season Cruise Schedule* |
||
|---|---|---|
| Week | Route (Or Reverse) | Season |
| Apr 10 | Agen-Montauban | Value |
| Apr 17 | Montauban-Agen | Value |
| Apr 24 | Agen-Montauban | Regular |
| May 1 | Montauban-Agen | Regular |
| May 8 | Agen-Montauban | Regular |
| May 15 | Montauban-Agen | Regular |
| May 22 | Agen-Montauban | Regular |
| May 29 | Montauban-Agen | Regular |
| Jun 5 | Agen-Montauban | Regular |
| Jun 12 | Montauban-Agen | Regular |
| Jun 19 | Agen-Montauban | Regular |
| Jun 26 | Montauban-Agen | Regular |
| Jul 3 | Agen-Montauban | Regular |
| Jul 10 | Montauban-Agen | Regular |
| Jul 17 | Boe-Castets | Value |
| Jul 24 | Castets-Boe | Value |
| Jul 31 | Boe-Castets | Value |
| Aug 7 | Castets-Boe | Value |
| Aug 14 | Boe-Castets | Value |
| Aug 21 | Castets-Boe | Value |
| Aug 28 | Boe-Castets | Regular |
| Sep 4 | Castets-Boe | Regular |
| Sep 11 | Boe-Castets | Regular |
| Sep 18 | Castets-Boe | Regular |
| Sep 25 | Boe-Castets | Regular |
| Oct 2 | Castets-Boe | Value |
| Oct 9 | Boe-Castets | Value |
| Oct 16 | Castets-Boe | Value |
| Oct 23 | Boe-Castets | Value |
*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Gascony and Bordeaux: Canal Laterale a la Garonne
Castets-en-Dorthe to Boe 2023
Gascony and Bordeaux: Canal Laterale a la Garonne
Castets-en-Dorthe to Boe 2023
Saint Emilion Village
Chateau de Duras
Vianne Bastide
Nerac Chateau
Agen Aquaduct
Guests are met in Bordeaux and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Rosa. Following a champagne welcome, there is time for a stroll before returning for your first dinner on board.
Monday - Castets-en-Dorthe to Meilhan-sur-Garonne
This morning, we visit the medieval town of Saint Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site and centre of the most famous of the Bordeaux appellations. Later, we stop at Château Franc Mayne, producer of Grand Crus wines, where we enjoy a tasting. After lunch on board, we'll follow the Canal de Garonne, to the port of Meilhan-sur-Garonne, before dinner on board.
Tuesday - Meilhan-sur-Garonne to Lagruere
This morning we enjoy a cruise to the charming little village of Lagruere. At this time, you can cycle or walk the tow path and enjoy the stunning countryside. Following lunch on board, we tour the Garonne River aboard a traditional flat-bottomed boat, after which we visit the beautiful village of Le Mas d'Agenais, its 11th century church playing host to an ornate Romanesque doorway and an original masterpiece by Rembrandt. After this we take a short drive to an artisanal dairy farm where we experience the entire cheese making process, culminating in a delicious tasting. Dinner, if the weather permits, is a gourmet barbecue beside the barge, overlooking the River Garonne.
Wednesday - Lagruere to Buzet-sur-Baise
This morning we depart early and enjoy the colorful market of Lavardac, before heading to the 13th century bastide village of Vianne to see a skilled glassblower at work. A delectable lunch of regional specialties will be served at restaurant Le Moulin des Saveurs, before returning to the barge for a cruise along the tranquil Canal de Garonne to our mooring at Buzet-sur-Baise, a pastoral haven. Dinner on board.
Thursday - Buzet-sur-Baise to Serignac-sur-Garonne
This morning, enjoy a leisurely cruise to Serignac-sur-Garonne with time to explore the towpath, or relax on the decktop. After lunch on board, we visit the medieval town of Nerac and tread in the footsteps of King Henry IV and Queen Margot. The château was built in the 15th century, but much was destroyed during the French Revolution and today only the impressive north wing remains. We then stop at the Lapeyrade estate for a cellar tasting of Armagnac, the oldest alcohol in France. Dinner on board.
Friday - Serignac-sur-Garonne to Boé
We start the day with a morning cruise towards our final destination of Boé, crossing the Plan Canal d'Agen, one of the longest aqueducts in France which spans the River Garonne. After lunch, we enjoy a stroll through the historic town of Agen to enjoy the colorful decorated cathedral dedicated to Saint Caprasius, before a tour and tasting of biodynamic wines at the family-owned Domaine du Bois de Simon. Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday - Boé
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus back to their choice of location in Bordeaux.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. Other pick up and drop off locations are available for private charter bookings.
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
Gascony: Canal Laterale a la Garonne
Boe to Montauban 2023
Gascony: Canal Laterale a la Garonne
Boe to Montauban 2023
Sunday - Boe
Guests are met at the designated meeting place in Toulouse and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Rosa for a champagne welcome. Dinner on board.
Monday - Boe to Pommevic
This morning we visit Domaine Lapeyrade for a guided tour and private tastings of their esteemed Armagnac and Floc du Gascogne wines in delightful surroundings, before touring the nearby medieval town of Nérac and its castle, once home to Henry IV of France. After lunch on board we enjoy a leisurely cruise through the bucolic countryside to Pommevic. Dinner on board.
Tuesday - Pommevic to Moissac
After breakfast, we cruise to the nautical base of St. Livrade where it is possible to indulge in a little swimming or canoeing before turning west on the brick-lined canal to Moissac. Following lunch we visit the 18th century Château de la Motte, where we are given a private guided tour by the resident Countess. At the end of the tour we are even invited to take tea with her in the private apartments, as she explains to us her family's famous association with the Kings of France. Before returning to Rosa, we will see the 15th century hillside village of Auvillar, as well as touring the old "Bastide" town of Valence d'Agen, with its Palladian canalside public wash-house and arcaded marketplace. This evening, maybe after a game of boules, we stroll ashore to savour regional specialties at the excellent restaurant "Le Florentin’" in front of the spectacular entrance portal of the abbey.
Wednesday - Moissac to Castelsarrasin
This morning, we visit the UNESCO-classified Abbaye St-Pierre de Moissac, one of the architectural highlights of the region, founded in the 7th century with its wonderfully preserved cloisters and chapel, and explore the charming town with its abundance of arts and crafts workshops. Lunch is served on board as we continue our cruise towards Castelsarrasin crossing the River Tarn via the 1,000-foot-long aqueduct, the Pont Canal du Cacor. Upon arrival there is, of course, time for the obligatory game of boules! Dinner on board.
Thursday - Castelsarrasin to Montech
Just 50 metres from our mooring, we visit Castelsarrasin's market for breakfast, before a leisurely cruise to Montech. Enjoy the hotel barge’s sundeck or walk and cycle along the towpath. Lunch on board is followed by a guided tour of the remarkable inclined Water Plane, an amazing feat of engineering that by-passes five locks and, when back in service in the near future, will lower vessels 43 feet all in one go – a unique Rosa experience! We head into the Côtes du Frontonnais wine region in the minibus for a wine tasting at the renowned Château Bellevue la Fôret. Our introduction to the outstanding cuvée ‘Optimum’ is in the skilled hands of Diane Germain, the Boston-educated daughter of the house. Dinner on board.
Friday - Montech to Montauban
This morning Rosa meanders down the flight of nine locks on the beautiful and recently restored branch canal skirting the Forest of Agre and moors in the port of the historical town of Montauban. Following lunch on board we take a short drive to an artisanal dairy farm at Ramier, where we experience the entire cheese making process, culminating in a delicious tasting with the opportunity to purchase a few slices to take home! Next, we head to old Montauban for a stroll around this charming redbrick town on the banks of the River Tarn. Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday - Montauban
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus back to their choice of location in Toulouse
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. Other pick up and drop off locations are available for private charter bookings.
Guests are met at the designated meeting place in Toulouse and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Rosa for a champagne welcome. Dinner on board.
Monday - Boe to Pommevic
This morning we visit Domaine Lapeyrade for a guided tour and private tastings of their esteemed Armagnac and Floc du Gascogne wines in delightful surroundings, before touring the nearby medieval town of Nérac and its castle, once home to Henry IV of France. After lunch on board we enjoy a leisurely cruise through the bucolic countryside to Pommevic. Dinner on board.
Tuesday - Pommevic to Moissac
After breakfast, we cruise to the nautical base of St. Livrade where it is possible to indulge in a little swimming or canoeing before turning west on the brick-lined canal to Moissac. Following lunch we visit the 18th century Château de la Motte, where we are given a private guided tour by the resident Countess. At the end of the tour we are even invited to take tea with her in the private apartments, as she explains to us her family's famous association with the Kings of France. Before returning to Rosa, we will see the 15th century hillside village of Auvillar, as well as touring the old "Bastide" town of Valence d'Agen, with its Palladian canalside public wash-house and arcaded marketplace. This evening, maybe after a game of boules, we stroll ashore to savour regional specialties at the excellent restaurant "Le Florentin’" in front of the spectacular entrance portal of the abbey.
Wednesday - Moissac to Castelsarrasin
This morning, we visit the UNESCO-classified Abbaye St-Pierre de Moissac, one of the architectural highlights of the region, founded in the 7th century with its wonderfully preserved cloisters and chapel, and explore the charming town with its abundance of arts and crafts workshops. Lunch is served on board as we continue our cruise towards Castelsarrasin crossing the River Tarn via the 1,000-foot-long aqueduct, the Pont Canal du Cacor. Upon arrival there is, of course, time for the obligatory game of boules! Dinner on board.
Thursday - Castelsarrasin to Montech
Just 50 metres from our mooring, we visit Castelsarrasin's market for breakfast, before a leisurely cruise to Montech. Enjoy the hotel barge’s sundeck or walk and cycle along the towpath. Lunch on board is followed by a guided tour of the remarkable inclined Water Plane, an amazing feat of engineering that by-passes five locks and, when back in service in the near future, will lower vessels 43 feet all in one go – a unique Rosa experience! We head into the Côtes du Frontonnais wine region in the minibus for a wine tasting at the renowned Château Bellevue la Fôret. Our introduction to the outstanding cuvée ‘Optimum’ is in the skilled hands of Diane Germain, the Boston-educated daughter of the house. Dinner on board.
Friday - Montech to Montauban
This morning Rosa meanders down the flight of nine locks on the beautiful and recently restored branch canal skirting the Forest of Agre and moors in the port of the historical town of Montauban. Following lunch on board we take a short drive to an artisanal dairy farm at Ramier, where we experience the entire cheese making process, culminating in a delicious tasting with the opportunity to purchase a few slices to take home! Next, we head to old Montauban for a stroll around this charming redbrick town on the banks of the River Tarn. Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Saturday - Montauban
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus back to their choice of location in Toulouse
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. Other pick up and drop off locations are available for private charter bookings.
Dining Aboard The Rosa:
SAMPLE MENU
REGIONAL SPECIALTIES
- Entrecote de Bazas a la Bordelaise
- Magret de Canard aux Pommes et aux Oignons Confits Tourtiere de Pommes
- Pruneaux a l'Armagnac
WINE CELLAR
- Buzet
- Cotes de Marmandais
- Sauternes Bordeaux AOC Superieur
- Haut Medoc
- Cotes du Frontonnais
CHEESE BOARD
- Le Bleu de Quercy
- Templais Sec
- Tomme de Lomagne
Passenger Comments:
We loved the itinerary, the staff and had interesting travel companions.
J.H., CA, USA
The cruise was easy, relaxing, and utterly pleasant, with a nice combination of available activity, and idle self-indulgence. We could bike or walk or sightsee at will, or just hang out on board and watch the scenery go by. The food and wine was superb, and every crew member was friendly, kind, and skilled at his/her specialty. The service was delightful in all categories. The maid service was discreet and thorough. The entire crew was sensitive to our wants and comfort, but without hovering. I loved our outdoor luncheons on the upper deck, while floating through the dappled sunshine. The cheese tastings were a favorite. Mike's choices were always intriguing and perfectly suited to the accompanying fruits and nuts, as well as the paired wines. I really enjoyed learning how to present and savor a cheese course at a meal. I loved the excursions where we got to meet local people at their jobs, making cheese, barrels, Armagnac. Special Places far exceeded my expectations. Don had a wealth of information not only about the barge trip, but about other great things to see and do in France, and incredibly good help with the logistics of getting around.
B.A., WA, USA
The barge trip was excellent. The staff were great, the accommodations clean and comfortable (even if small). The chef was exceptional and the service was perfect. The excursions were fun and interesting. The weather even was perfect! We enjoyed every day.
J & B.Y.,NC, USA
LINKS to Rosa Information
This page last updated December 25, 2023