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THE
8 PASSENGERS ROSA
... is an old Dutch “Clipper” barge that is being completely
refitted in 2010 to a high specification. Her saloon is particularly
welcoming and features attractive wood panelling, comfortable
seating and a cosy bar. There are four air-conditioned staterooms,
each with full en-suite facilities and offering comfortable accommodation
for 8 passengers. Outside there is a spacious sundeck with comfortable
furniture. Rosa also featured in the hugely successful television
series, Rick Stein’s French Odyssey.
ROSA
CANAL DU MIDI ITINERARY
Montauban
to Agen, Gascony, Southwest France
Sunday, Day 1 TOULOUSE TO MONTAUBAN
Guests are met by the captain at 4.00pm at a designated hotel
in Toulouse and transferred by air-conditioned minibus to Rosa,
moored in the Port of 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 Côtes 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 Lamagistère.
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 SERIGNAC TO TOULOUSE
After breakfast, guests disembark the barge and transfer to Toulouse
for approximately 11am.
On alternate weeks, cruise will be in reverse
ROSA
CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
• Visits to historic Montauban & picturesque Auvillar
• Negotiate the amazing inclined Water Plane at Montauban
• Wine, armagnac and foie gras tastings
• Visit to Moissac and its ancient abbey
• Traverse a 1000 foot aqueduct
• Gastronomic dinner ashore
Rosa
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