Along the Baïse and Vineyards

Vianne is one of the rare bastides in Aquitaine to have preserved its entire set of ramparts, gates, and towers from the passage of time. As you arrive in Vianne, your boat offers the best view of this medieval town’s impressive fortifications,stretching 1.25 km and standing nearly 10 meters high.

From Lavardac, reach the charming village of Barbaste. Discover its 12th-century 10-arch Roman bridge and the 13th-century fortified mill with towers,treasured by Henry IV, who signed letters as “Henry, miller of Barbaste...”.

As you arrive by boat from Vianne, the château of Nérac appears on your right. It once hosted King Henri IV during his youth. Visit the château’s stunning southern gallery and arcades, or simply stroll through the medieval streets. On hot summer days, cool off at the Lud’o Parc waterpark, set against a backdrop of Roman-style ruins.

Known for its Armagnac and Floc de Gascogne, Moncrabeau is also famed as the “Capital of Liars.” Follow the “Liar’s Trail” with your family to discover amusing stories and separate myth from reality.

As you cruise along the Baïse, you follow the historic route once used to export wines and Armagnac brandy to Bordeaux and beyond. Condom, the main port for Armagnac trade, is an essential stop to learn about the oldest brandy in France. Visit the Armagnac Museum, housed in the former Episcopal Palace, and the world-renowned Ryst-Dupeyron house. Also worth seeing: the majestic 14th-century Saint-Pierre Cathedral and its cloister. In May, don’t miss the famous European Brass Band Festival, which gathers fanfares from across Europe.

When arriving in Valence-sur-Baïse, you can dock your boat below the magnificent Flaran Abbey to visit this building, one of the best-preserved Cistercian abbeys in the southwest of France. Then, stop at the Valence-sur-Baïse marina to discover this 13th-century bastide built on a promontory. Of the town’s old fortifications, only the Hérisson Gate remains, offering a plunging view of the Baïse Valley. But it’s from the 15th-century Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church and its two towers that the most beautiful panorama of the region’s Gascon castles is enjoyed. On clear days, you can even see the Pyrenees.