| Taking a canal holiday in the South West of France | | | | For those that have a passion for nature, there is a |
| can be very enjoyable. We travelled from Manchester | | | | large nature reserve easily accessible along this canal |
| airport with BMIBaby to Bordeaux airport for | | | | trip. The place is at Tonneins, called Reserve Naturelle |
| £215 return for two adults. When we arrived our | | | | de L'etang de la Maziere. The nature reserve covers |
| hire car was waiting from AVIS and we were soon | | | | 100 acres of wetland, and is home to a vast array of |
| on our way south east from Bordeaux. The plan was | | | | aquatic wildlife. Not only bird watchers will be |
| to use the car to get us to the boat hire company, | | | | fascinated but anyone with an interest in nature. There |
| arrange for it to be returned and then have the car | | | | are well over 200 species of birds including herons, |
| waiting for our return journey to the airport. | | | | black kites, crested grebes and bitterns. In addition to |
| Our short break started at a small village named | | | | birds the reserve also has loads of mammals, 44 |
| Meilham sur Garonne near Bordeaux, in the Aquitaine | | | | different species, so something for all the family to see |
| region of France. The trip was along the Canal Lateral | | | | and enjoy. |
| a la Garonne which is an unspoilt area with wonderful | | | | Along the canal towards our destination at Agen we |
| scenery, superb local food and wine. The region has | | | | also visited the vineyards at Buzet-Sur-Baize, for a |
| many medieval castles and very old villages almost | | | | guided tour of the whole process of wine making! |
| unchanged throughout the years. | | | | After looking at all the barrels of wine, you get to |
| You can hire a canal boat that either sleeps 2,6 or 8 | | | | sample at the tasting session. Wonderful! You are then |
| people for your journey. All have comfortable beds - | | | | able to buy some bottles at the shop on site. |
| some double; fully equipped galleys (kitchens) with | | | | Afterwards you can wander around the vineyards on |
| fridge, gas cooker and oven; all the cutlery, crockery | | | | several routes throughout the area. |
| and utencils that you need; and come complete with all | | | | At Agen, the end of our canal journey, there is a |
| bed linen including duvets. However, you need to bring | | | | beautiful Art Museum which dates back to the 16th |
| your own towels. Heating is either with a space heater | | | | century. It has over 2000 works of art including some |
| or there is central heating depending on the size of the | | | | from the Spanish artist, Goya. The museum also has |
| canalboat you hire. All boats have radio cassettes or | | | | the Palissy ceramics, which are very decorative. You |
| CD players and some have 240v supply. | | | | will certainly come away having both an educational |
| Before you leave the mooring for the first time, the | | | | and enjoyable day in Agen. |
| boat hire staff go around the vessel with you to allow | | | | Our one weeks holiday on the canalboat from Meilhan |
| you to familiarize yourself with everything. They will | | | | to Agen cost about £700 in April for 2 adults. |
| give you instructions on starting the engine, handling the | | | | Prices may vary depending on dates and special |
| boat and stopping as well as how to moor up. You will | | | | offers etc. It was certainly very relaxing, entertaining, |
| have no problems understanding the staff because | | | | enjoyable and we would thoroughly recommend this |
| they all speak very good English. | | | | area of France for a holiday on the canals. |