Agen is inextricably associated with its waterways, both natural and man-made. They have served as geographical frontiers and have also brought prosperity to the town. 
The Garonne Lateral Canal, which runs for 193 kms between Toulouse and Castets en Dorthe, was dug with pick and shovel by thousands of navvies in the 19th century. It extended the Canal du Midi to form the Canal des Deux Mers, which links the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean
In the past, this communication route was used by commercial traffic. Imposing barges once transported grain and petrol, but these have now given way to passenger boats, hire cruisers and sailing boats. River tourism has revitalised river traffic, as tourists come for the peace and quiet and to enjoy our exceptional natural and historical heritage. 
As well as the modern Lateral canal, the Agen region is at the hub of more than 300km of navigable waterways : from the charming Baïse, which takes you right to the edge of the Pyrenees, to the majestic Lot, which will soon be open as far as Conques in the Aveyron