Serignac & L'Escale Pizzeria

After lunch, the lock was operable. We returned our Baise key card to the lock keeper and continued along the Canal Lateral a la Garonne.

We encountered cottonwood "snow," which apparently lasts for 2 weeks every year--we were there in mid May. It was pretty but the cotton landed everywhere. Be sure to keep the windows closed or you will have it all over the cabin.

We passed through 2 locks then crossed over the Baise on the aqueduct.

After another lock, we arrived in Serignac, 16.1 km from Buzet. Serignac is an adorable little hamlet. There is a main road around it and a Spar, if you need to reprovision the boat. 

This was the tiny road leading through the center of town. There are just a few buildings.

Of course, there's a church...

and the Mairie or town hall.

There was only 1 restaurant open in town--L'Escale Pizzeria.

We had another Buzet wine--€16 for Domaine de Michelet.

One of the specials for the night was Poulpe (octopus) a la Plancha Poivrons Marines (marinated peppers)--€17. This was a huge portion and the octopus was well prepared.

Salade Landais--€17. This salad had gesiers confit (gizzard cooked in fat and oh so tender), magret fume (smoked duck breast) and foie gras. Delicious!

Parme Grande PIzza--€16. Prosciutto, cheese, arugula and olives.

2018 05 17

Restaurant Le Vigneron

After Nerac, we turned around and headed back to the Garonne. At Buzet, the double lock was being repaired and wouldn't be operable until after lunch. We took our bikes and went in search of lunch.

Restaurant Le Vigneron is located at 20 Boulevard de la Republique.

Of course, we had another bottle of Buzet wine--this one was Chateau Pierron--€16. Quite a bargain for a cabernet sauvignon.

Amuse Bouche of Country Pate

Their menus start with Potage (soup). This was cream of zucchini.

There is a €15.90 3-course menu with 4-6 choices for the first and second course. Carpaccio de saumon (salmon) was one of the choices for the first course.

Lapin (rabbit) a la Plancha Sauce Aux Herbes was one of the options for the 2nd course.

They also had a menu for €26.90. This was one of the options for the first course--Sole Meuniere. This still had skin and not what I expected but it was still very tasty.

This was why I chose the more expensive menu. I wanted to try the Rognons (kidneys) de Veau a la Sauce Pleurotes (oyster mushrooms). This was good but the kidneys needed to be cleaned more. The mushroom sauce was quite good but still not as good as the dish I had on our trip to Beaune.

https://musingsofatravelingfoodie.blogspot.com/2015/11/la-table-de-guigone.html

Both menus end with the dessert cart. You can choose as many desserts as you want. My husband and brother in law were in heaven!

2018 05 17

Nerac

Nerac, on the River Baise, is considered one of the most beautiful river ports in France and one of the most beautiful towns in Aquitaine. Market Day is Thursday and Saturday mornings year round and Tuesday evenings in the summer. You can do some research before you arrive: https://albret-tourisme.com or pick up a walking tour from the Port Captain or from the Tourist Information Office.

View of Nerac as you approach.

Pass through the final lock to arrive in the center of the town. You can moor on either side of the river. Pay the port captain €10 to spend the night. There is water and electricity.

The Church of Notre Dame towers over the town to the east .

View of the east side of town from the Pont Neuf.

Most of the sights are on the west side of town. Chateau Musee Henri IV, built between the 14th & 16th centuries, started as the home of the kings of Navarre. It now serves as the local museum.

Statue of Jacques de Romas, who was born in Nerac in 1713. He is credited by Nerac as discovering the laws of electricity at around the time Franklin conducted his experiments.

Statue of Henri IV. It was originally in the courtyard of the Louvre but was moved to Nerac in 1823. Known as the Good King Henry, he was King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610, King of France from 1589 to 1610 and the first monarch from the House of Bourbon.

Continuing on the tour, you'll pass the Haussmann Center. It was the former palace of Public Accounts and then the Law Courts. Today, it is an administrative center.

Eglise Saint-Nicolas--begun in 1758 and finished in 1856.

Rear of the Eglise Saint-Nicolas.

On the west side of town, there is a marker showing the flood stages through the centuries. 

View from the Vieux Pont at the north end of town, looking back at the old tanneries.

Eglise Notre Dame on the east side of town. This is in the neo-Gothic style. Begun in 1866 and finished 8 years later, it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

After our large lunch, we had a picnic on board for dinner. We had olives, pate, cheese...

Quiche...

And, of course, dessert--canele, lemon tart and cream puffs.

2018 05 16

Continuing Along the Petite Baise

3.1 km and 2 locks from Vianne is the town of Lavardac. This town has no poop scoop law so be careful where you step. Market day is Wednesday am.

Tie up along the side and climb the hill to the top.

You'll have a nice view of the Petite Baise.

Church in town.

After Lavardac, you'll meet La Gelise at the bend. Take the left fork to continue on the Petite Baise. 

You'll pass a total of 4 locks, including Sorbet.

The locks are narrow.

Before reaching Nerac, you'll pass the 3rd lock.

On occasion, you'll pass by the Prince Henry taking passengers on a cruise down the river.

2018 05 16

Les Marronniers

Lunch in town was at Les Marronniers, located right next to the Mairie. They feature a 3-course menu with a glass of wine for €12.50. What a bargain!

One of two options for the first course--Salade Saumon Fume--Smoked salmon salad. The other option was Jambon de Pays--Country Ham.

One option for the main was Supreme de Poulet. The other option was a grilled chop.

The dessert was a cake.

La Canard + (all things duck salad)--€17. Foie gras, gizzard confit, smoked duck breast, terrine, parsley heart, asparagus, tomato, hard-boiled egg. This also came with a glass of wine.

The wine was very good--Quezaco from Cave du Marmandais.

2018 05 16

Day 2--Going down the River Baise & Vianne

At Buzet, the Canal Lateral a la Garonne meets the Petite Baise  The Petite Baise may not be navigable if there has been recent rain and the water is high. You also have to be careful if you have a wide barge. The Royal Mystique barely fit in some of the locks. We had to pull in the side bumpers to avoid getting stuck.

The double lock connecting the two is manned. The lock is open 9am-7pm, closed between 12:30-1:30.

The lock keeper will give you a card to use in the locks on the Petite Baise. Insert the card into the slot on the machine at each lock.

After 9.3km, you'll arrive at Vianne. This English bastide (fortified town) was built in the 13th century and is surrounded by a wall. It's a compact town and can be easily seen in 30 minutes. Market day is Friday nights.

The lock is lateral to this overflow.

There are 4 gates into town.

Part of the wall was simply knocked down to create streets.

The town square is a little oasis with trees.

The Mairie or town hall.

And, of course, there is a church.

2018 05 16