Baïse boating - France Magazine

A self-drive cruising trip is a slow and steady way to enjoy the very best of the French countryside. Lara Dunn discovers the waterways of Lot-et-Garonne.

We are sitting outside on a warm early autumn evening, listening to mellow blues played live, enjoying historie Gascony's finest culinary specialities accompanied by some delicious local Buzet wines. It couldn't be more idyllic or 'French' really. It's the final night of a week-long boating journey around Lot-et-Garonne, and we're handing back the keys to our floating home the next morning. It seems fitting that our farewell meal is on the banks of the canal.
Buzet-sur-Baïse in Lot-et-­Garonne gives plenty of options for exploring the waterways of south-west France. Depending on how much time you have, there are numerous options for itineraries. Due to slightly lower than usual water levels on the local rivers, we'd decided to spend a couple of days on the popular Canal de Garonne, followed by a few on the quieter River Baïse, before returning to the Aquitaine Navigation and Nicols boat base located at Buzet-sur-Baïse.
Formerly known as the Canal Latéral de la Garonne, the Canal thought might be large enough to provide Sunday evening dining options beyond cooking on board.

As the sun still hid behind the trees lining the banks of the canal, it was a chilly start. The countryside on either side showed just how fertile the land is in this area. Vineyards, orchards, fields of ripe crops, ail stretched as far as the
eye could see; even several plantations of kiwi fruit (I discovered this later on ajaunt with one of the boat's bikes).

>> Read the rest of the article