Actor Tom Conti, mercurial gardener Diarmuid Gavin, ex-athlete Tessa Sanderson, singer Tony Christie and presenter Penny Smith explore and enjoy life in the slow lane aboard two barges, narrow-boating along two of France's best-loved waterways - the River Lot and the Canal du Midi. After meeting each other and moving into their boats, the usually unflappable Penny needs rescuing after tangling with a tree. Tom takes charge of their mini-fleet, but gets into a scrape of his own, while below deck Diarmuid targets Tony for some gentle ribbing, while Tessa resents being bossed about.
Tom Conti, Diarmuid Gavin, Tessa Sanderson, Tony Christie and Penny Smith meet British artists Jeff and Sally, who fell in love with France's River Lot and decided to stay and spend their lives painting it. After, Tom and Tony view some prehistoric art in a sprawling cave system. At a vibrant French market in the valley, Diarmuid hunts for snails - preferably ones steeped in garlic and butter - while Tom demonstrates his acting prowess with a drunken sailor routine.
Penny Smith, Tony Christie, Tessa Sanderson, Diarmuid Gavin and Tom Conti tackle a new waterways adventure on the Canal du Midi, a 17th-century feat of engineering. They find their new boats at the marina in Sete on the coast of the Mediterranean. The banter begins with their first decision over who gets which boat, resulting in repelling of boarders, cauliflower cannonballs and the confiscation of keys. The famous five tangle with local fishermen and have confused communication with bridge controllers, but eventually leave port and set off across France's largest lagoon, the Etang du Thau.
Penny Smith, Tony Christie, Tessa Sanderson, Diarmuid Gavin and Tom Conti continue their journey along the Canal du Midi, though a strike by French lock keepers means that they find themselves in a race against time to get through the formidable Fonserannes staircase flight, or risk being stuck for days. Once at the flight, they discover there is a dangerous and extreme side to canal life as they dramatically crash the boats in the lock, resulting in a man-overboard fright. The quintet then head for their final mooring place - a picturesque village in a famed wine region.
Michael Buerk, Shaun Williamson, Amanda Barrie, Anita Harris and Lord John Prescott board two barges for a cruise through Staffordshire canals. While John and Shaun, who have Navy experience, keep crashing the barges and getting stuck, Amanda and Anita take to it like ducks to water.
The famous five drift into Stoke-on-Trent to explore the city's rich industrial past, then head onto the Mersey.
The famous five take a spooky trip through the dark Harecastle Tunnel, then Michael and Shaun climb Mow Cop for a view of seven counties.
The famous five find themselves in Warwickshire, Michael's childhood home, where they learn about lock restoration, morris dancing and the famous local pies.
Michael Buerk, Shaun Williamson, Amanda Barrie, Anita Harris and Lord John Prescott cruise into Stratford, whip up some Elizabethan hooch and play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
