Maps

Lot et Garonne (Aquitaine)

Lavardac

In the past, Lavardac was an important port for the shipping trade. After much lengthy handling, merchandises arriving from the canal's barges were transported on smaller crafts used for the dangerous navigation on the Baïse river, upstream from the Bordes bridge.
Goods were transported to Nerac, Condom and Valence sur Baïse, Guyenne' s merchants trade main towns..
Thus, waterways shipping companies established their building-ships, repair and freight dockyards.

In 1850, more than 100 boats moored the warfs and an average of 4 boats, towed by horses, leaved the quays bound for a 4 days trip to Bordeaux.

Born in 1909 in Lavardac, Georges Larrose began working from the age of 9 years old, leading the horses from his father's barge. Today, still alive, he is the elder amongst boatmen from the Canal du Midi. He is known under the name of "Boatmen's grand father".
Georges published a book called " Patrons de Barques, Patrons bateliers " A bibliography and the account of the boatmen life.

Today a nautical base awaits your arrival with fresh water .