River crossings on a houseboat during your river cruise in Aquitaine

Works of art to discover on a houseboat cruise in Aquitaine

The lock at Castets-en-Dorthe

To kick off your cruise in Aquitaine, come aboard at the Castets-en-Dorthe lock. Did you know that this is where the Canal Latéral à la Garonne begins, or ends? Now known as the Canal de Garonne, it is also sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Canal du Midi. So imagine stepping back in time as this river gateway opens its arms to welcome you into the mingled waters of the Garonne. It's off to a great start!

The Montech water slope

At Montech, we're taking things up a notch (or rather a boat lift) with a lock like no other. A boat lift, yes, you read that right! An engineering feat that has defied the laws of gravity for several years! This 'boat lift' on the Canal Latéral à la Garonne at Montech made it possible to avoid five successive locks, saving 45 minutes on the journey. Weighing 1700 tonnes and propelling 1500 m3 of water over 125 metres, this 100% French invention has become a key part of France's industrial heritage. Unfortunately, the lock has not been in service since 2009, but this ancient system is now preserved in the form of a fascinating museum. We recommend that you make a stopover on your Aquitaine cruise and discover this museum for an immersive dive into the secrets of this incredible mechanism.

The Agen Lock

Agen, famous for its prunes, welcomes you to its lock. Here, the calm waters of the canal give way to a more rhythmic passage, underlining the historic importance of this town along the towpath.

The Canal Bridge at Agen

The Canal Latéral à la Garonne is not only dotted with locks, it is also adorned with bridges that will add a poetic touch to your cruise in Aquitaine. At 540 metres long, the Pont-Canal d'Agen is the second longest in France. It has 23 arches, each 20 metres wide and 10 metres high. Spanning the Garonne River majestically, the Pont-Canal d'Agen gives you a breathtaking view of the city - now that's a living postcard! If you fancy taking a stroll (on foot this time) and admiring the view, there's a footbridge that allows you to appreciate the canal bridge in all its splendour.

The Canal Bridge at Moissac

Not far from here, the Canal Bridge of Moissac, a true architectural jewel, will charm you with its discreet elegance. The combination of stone and water creates an enchanting atmosphere, transporting sailors back in time.

Our advice for a smooth Aquitaine cruise!

To make the most of this Aquitaine cruise, a few practical tips are in order. We recommend that you plan your itinerary taking into account lock opening times. You'll find all this information in the river guide on board or available to order. By embarking on a river cruise in Aquitaine, you are choosing to immerse yourself in an adventure where history is revealed as the water flows by. Every lock you pass, every bridge you cross, is a new discovery about Aquitaine!

Aquitaine is full of treasure to be discovered, so it's difficult for us to tell you everything... Hire a houseboat in Aquitaine to discover them and enjoy the peace and quiet, visit typical towns and villages and be privileged by nature!