Origin: Meilhan, L'Auberge Meilhannaise, 1 Rue Des Anciens Combattants
Destination: AGEN, Cit'otel, 105 Boulevard du Presidente Carnot
We welcomed the sound of rain as we awoke and the cool air raised our hopes for the long ride to Agen. After an outstanding breakfast, the rain stopped and we headed down the steep hill to the canal.
The day remained overcast and cool..so happy to have a sunscreen-free day. The canal ride was beautiful today in the shade of old, arching Plain trees. The agricultural landscape transitioned to corn, sunfowers, reforestation acreage, and tunnels of draped fruit trees.
We stopped in the attractive, colonnaded town of Damazan with an old central square marketplace. After being turned away from one restaurant due to lack of tables, we had a hearty lunch at Escapade Damazanaise.
When we were routed briefly off the canal, we passed through the vineyards of the denomination Buzet that produce merlot, sauvignon and caberet france wines. Back on the canal path, the architectural highlights of the day were two canal bridges, "acquaducts"; one carries the canal over the Baise River and the other over the Garonne as a dramatic entrance to Agen. This spectacular Agen Pont Canal was declared a historic monument. Constructed between 1839 and 1843, it measures 580 meters over 23 stone arches, the second largest in France.
We walked our bicycles across and then headed for the train station to check out multiple options along the line over coming days.
We had no time to explore Agen, a town voted first in France in quality of life (according to our canal guidebook). The main street leading into town from the attractive train station is blocked to cars for beautification and renovation, but it made for easy access to the Cit'otel for two tired cyclists (74 kms).
At breakfast the next day we did taste the Agen prune for which this region is famous.
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