Drift slowly through the sun-dappled heart of South West France aboard the Saint Louis, a Luxemotor hotel barge built in 1923 that now carries just six guests in three en-suite double or twin cabins. This is canal cruising at its most unhurried: idyllic waterways through Bordeaux or Gascony, with a personal chef, an extensive cellar on board, and four full-time crew tending to your every whim. By day, you might lounge on the largest open sundeck of any barge of comparable size, bike or stroll the towpath beside lush countryside, or simply watch pretty villages glide past with a glass in hand.
Evenings belong to the table. The region is famed for its fine fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses and wines, and the barge’s gourmet dining makes the most of it. It is an intimate, private-charter experience for family and friends, and it was completely renovated in 2016. Past guests describe it as feeling like home or a visit with old friends, with a history, warmth and polish that make it hard to leave when the week is up.
Features At-A-Glance
a spacious, tastefully decorated salon with; a soft seating area, dining area for 6, an open bar, music system (with Bluetooth/iPhone doc/NFC connectivity) and a small reference library
mobile Wi-Fi, a full 10G each cruise week. Please note, signal strength may vary slightly as we progress along the canal
three guest cabins each with new (2016) shower-rooms en-suite with 240V hairdryers, heated towel rail and luxury toileteries.
SAINT LOUIS - A SELECTION OF AMAZING CRUISE ROUTES
Saint Louis operates a number of beautiful cruise routes that include Gascony and Bordeaux. Below is a sample Bordeaux itinerary, Serignac to Castets en Dorthe (and in the reverse direction on alternate weeks), which operates from 16 May to 27 June, and 22 August to 10 October.
An alternative Bordeaux cruise route will operate on weeks beginning 27 June and 17 October; and a Gascony cruise route will operate on 9th May only. Please ask us for these cruise itineraries if you are interested in these dates.
An alternative Bordeaux cruise route will operate on weeks beginning 27 June and 17 October; and a Gascony cruise route will operate on 9th May only. Please ask us for these cruise itineraries if you are interested in these dates.
SATURDAY
Collection from agreed pick-up point 15.30hrs to arrive at barge around 17.00hrs and your Champagne reception!
On our way to the barge we stop to see the famous Aqueduct, the second largest aqueduct in France which opened in 1849. It carries the Canal de Garonne over the Garonne river and is an engineering marvel.
Pick-up locations:
Agen train station or alternatively Toulouse or Bordeaux (airports or city)
Departure locations:
Bordeaux City or Airport
On our way to the barge we stop to see the famous Aqueduct, the second largest aqueduct in France which opened in 1849. It carries the Canal de Garonne over the Garonne river and is an engineering marvel.
Pick-up locations:
Agen train station or alternatively Toulouse or Bordeaux (airports or city)
Departure locations:
Bordeaux City or Airport
SUNDAY
The Lily Gardens at Temple sur Lot that were founded in 1875 and inspired Monet. We depart Boé Port at 9.00am and enjoy our first cruise through Agen and across the magnificent aquaduct. Leaving the barge we drive to the gardens in time for lunch overlooking the lake. After lunch, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the ponds and gardens before returning to the barge which will have moved on to our evening mooring at Serignac.
MONDAY
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast followed by our visit to a 4th generation Armagnac producer to learn about and taste this traditional local spirit. Armagnac pre-dates Cognac by approx. 200 years and is still produced in the time honoured way. During the visit guests have the opportunity if they wish to choose a year (perhaps of their wedding, birth of a child etc), select a bottle size and then watch the armagnac being drawn from their chosen barrel, corked and the wax seal applied.
A unique memento of their visit and it tastes great as well! Later guests will learn the secrets of our signature cocktail, the Saint Louis Sundowner from hostess Julia featuring Armagnac from their visit.
Time permitting (or if Armagnac is not a preferred visit) we may also visit the 11th Century town of Nérac; which includes the Château Henry IV (built around 15th Century) and home to the King and his wife Queen Margot between 1577 and 1582. There is also the Garenne royal park nearby. The visit is an opportunity to explore this ancient town and learn about the development of this region. We also visit the medieval Bastide town of Vianne. Bastide towns were built across southern France during the 13th and 14th centuries to provide security and safety and to develop trade.
In July and August, a visit to the night market at Damazan can be arranged. A very small local village, about 2o mins from our mooring by car, this is a taste of rural France in full swing. The night market is entirely geared to locals, it features live music, food stalls and is an interesting insight into local festivities. We usually go after the dinner main course on board and return for dessert!
A unique memento of their visit and it tastes great as well! Later guests will learn the secrets of our signature cocktail, the Saint Louis Sundowner from hostess Julia featuring Armagnac from their visit.
Time permitting (or if Armagnac is not a preferred visit) we may also visit the 11th Century town of Nérac; which includes the Château Henry IV (built around 15th Century) and home to the King and his wife Queen Margot between 1577 and 1582. There is also the Garenne royal park nearby. The visit is an opportunity to explore this ancient town and learn about the development of this region. We also visit the medieval Bastide town of Vianne. Bastide towns were built across southern France during the 13th and 14th centuries to provide security and safety and to develop trade.
In July and August, a visit to the night market at Damazan can be arranged. A very small local village, about 2o mins from our mooring by car, this is a taste of rural France in full swing. The night market is entirely geared to locals, it features live music, food stalls and is an interesting insight into local festivities. We usually go after the dinner main course on board and return for dessert!
TUESDAY
Morning cruise through to Lafalotte and lunch on board. At our mooring point there is a privately owned semi-precious gem museum just a short stroll across their garden where we can visit the museum whilst lunch is being prepared. The owners give us a guided tour through their unique collection of fossils, minerals and semi-precious gems from around the world collected by them over 50 years of travels. A thought provoking visit for those who enjoy natural history.
After lunch we continue our cruise through to La Mas d’Agenais where we take a short walk from our mooring to visit the centre of this quaint and unspoilt 12th Century town and go inside its church where there is an original Rembrandt painting of Christ on the Cross.
We then continue our afternoon cruise to Forques where we moor for the evening.
After lunch we continue our cruise through to La Mas d’Agenais where we take a short walk from our mooring to visit the centre of this quaint and unspoilt 12th Century town and go inside its church where there is an original Rembrandt painting of Christ on the Cross.
We then continue our afternoon cruise to Forques where we moor for the evening.
WEDNESDAY
Morning cruise followed by lunch on board. After lunch guests are driven to a private visit to Chateau d’Arche, one of the top Grand Crus Sauternes Chateaux. The visit includes a guided tour of the production process, their cave and tastings.
We return to the barge which will have moved on a little to our evening mooring at Meilhan. There should be time to go to the superb view point at the port which provides a fantastic vista out over the Garonne river and the canal below. About a 5 minute walk up steps from the mooring point.
Alternatively, we can arrange a guided tour of Chateau d’Yquem, the number one Sauterne Chateaux with a global reputation. The tour lasts approx. 1hr 20 mins and costs 100 Euro per person and must be booked in advance.
We return to the barge which will have moved on a little to our evening mooring at Meilhan. There should be time to go to the superb view point at the port which provides a fantastic vista out over the Garonne river and the canal below. About a 5 minute walk up steps from the mooring point.
Alternatively, we can arrange a guided tour of Chateau d’Yquem, the number one Sauterne Chateaux with a global reputation. The tour lasts approx. 1hr 20 mins and costs 100 Euro per person and must be booked in advance.
THURSDAY
After breakfast we enjoy a beautiful tree lined cruise towards Fontets before for our full day visit to the remarkable world heritage site of St Émilion. Here you will enjoy shopping, sightseeing and private wine tastings with our negociants. Guests may also go on a guided tour of the 12th Century underground church. Lunch is included in one of the top restaurants in St Émilion.
For wine lovers we can also organise a full wine experience day. Our negociants will meet our guests at 10.30 to begin a full day’s immersion in the world of Bordeaux wine. This will include the classification of St Émilion wines, how to taste wine, pairing wine with food, tasting of fine old wines, a private Chateaux visit, a tour of the 1st Grand Crus estates by car and a Michelin Star lunch.
The price is 495Euro per person, minimum of 4 people, to be paid to us upon arrival as we shall have booked and paid for the day in advance.
We return to meet the barge in Castets-en-Dorthe, in time for maybe a short cycle or walk to the end of the canal before it joins the mighty Garonne river on its way to Bordeaux. Guests can also be driven to see the huge double lock that was the gateway to the river and the trade route to the Mediterranean via the Canal du Midi in one direction and to the Atlantic ocean in the other. The river is spanned at this point by a bridge designed by Monsieur Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame!).
Then back on board for cocktails and canapés, followed by the final dinner of the week.
For wine lovers we can also organise a full wine experience day. Our negociants will meet our guests at 10.30 to begin a full day’s immersion in the world of Bordeaux wine. This will include the classification of St Émilion wines, how to taste wine, pairing wine with food, tasting of fine old wines, a private Chateaux visit, a tour of the 1st Grand Crus estates by car and a Michelin Star lunch.
The price is 495Euro per person, minimum of 4 people, to be paid to us upon arrival as we shall have booked and paid for the day in advance.
We return to meet the barge in Castets-en-Dorthe, in time for maybe a short cycle or walk to the end of the canal before it joins the mighty Garonne river on its way to Bordeaux. Guests can also be driven to see the huge double lock that was the gateway to the river and the trade route to the Mediterranean via the Canal du Midi in one direction and to the Atlantic ocean in the other. The river is spanned at this point by a bridge designed by Monsieur Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame!).
Then back on board for cocktails and canapés, followed by the final dinner of the week.
FRIDAY
Guests will be transferred to agreed drop off locations leaving the barge around 10:00AM.
2026 Prices
Value Season
Regular Season
6-person Charter
Value Season: N/A
High Season: $42,000
4-person Charter
Value Season: N/A
High Season: $36,000
Single Cabin (if offered - select sailings only)
Value Season: N/A
High Season: $15,000
Single cabin bookings for one or two people at 15,000 USD per cabin may become available later in the booking season and usually within 70 days of the cruise date – please contact us for such availability.
Note all our prices are in US Dollars. We convert to Australian dollars at current exchange rates on the day of payment of deposit/full payment.
Cruise is all-inclusive – price includes accommodation in ensuite cabins, gourmet cuisine provided by your private on-board chef, all beverages including premium local wines and mixed drinks, all excursions, entries and transport in air-conditioned mini-vans.
Departure Dates 2026
2026 Season
May 09 to October 17, departing weekly every Saturday.
