Cruising the Bordeaux Wine Country

9 Day Itinerary

• Day 1:

  Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to the Paris area for an overnight stay.

• Day 2: Bordeaux

  Today we travel to Bordeaux which is at the centre of the Bordeaux wine-growing region. Bordeaux is renowned for its historic quarters, and around 1800 hectares are listed as a World Heritage site. Place de la Bourse, with its elegant buildings, and Fountain of the Three Graces are well-photographed, and popular with visitors.

  The Cathedral Bell Tower offers a panoramic view of the town and many of its monuments – though visitors must climb 229 steps to the top!

  We board our ship, the MS Cyrano De Bergerac for the next five nights. Enjoy a welcome cocktail followed by dinner.

  Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  Bordeaux

  

  Included Highlights

  • Bordeaux

• Day 3: Bordeaux to Pauillac

  Today we travel from Bordeaux to Pauillac. We cruise down the River Garonne and then join the River Gironde passing Cazeau Island and Patiras Island before arriving at Pauillac at lunchtime.

  Come and enjoy our included excursion to the Medoc a renowned region off the beaten track, where the most famous of all red wines in the world are cultivated. Medoc is home to around 1,500 vineyards. Medoc also has an AOC (Appellations d’origine controlee or the controlled designation of origin) for its wine which is the same for the Champagnes.

  We pass through many of the great Medoc appellations, following the famous Chateaux Route. Then we berth in Pauillac overnight. Depending on mooring availability, the stopover in Pauillac may be replaced by Cussac-Fort-Médoc.

  Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Medoc France

  

  Included Highlights

  • Medoc

• Day 4: Pauillac to Gironde Estuary to Blaye

  We set sail early this morning, cruising to the Gironde estuary. The Gironde Estuary is the largest estuary in Western Europe and covers approximately 80km in length. While we cruise, we pass Meschers-sur-Gironde with its steep cliffs, Troglodyte houses and fishermen’s huts, before arriving in the charming village of Bourg, built on a rocky outcrop enclosed by medieval ramparts.

  Why not join our included excursion by coach along the Corniche, or cliff route. The scenery here is an unusual combination of river, rocks and vines. We rejoin our ship in time for lunch, and cruise to Blaye, an historical town with a citadel, and port used to export products from the region, such as grain and red wine.

  Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Gironde Estuary

  

  Included Highlights

  • Gironde Estuary

• Day 5: Blaye to Bourg/Libourne, plus Saint-Emilion

  Today we cruise to Bourg/Libourne and offer an optional excursion to the world-famous ‘wine’ village of Saint-Emilion, where you can sample the wines at a nearby wine estate. Saint-Emilion has been a 'wine' town since the Romans first planted vines in the area back in the early 2nd century.

  This then continued with the Monk Emilion who settled in the town to worship and develop the vineyards. It was monk Emilion who gave the town its name. From this humble beginning, the vines have blossomed, making St Emilion into one of the largest wine-producing towns in the area. Admire the many sights here, such as Trinity Chapel and the town's Monolithic church, which is also the largest of its kind in Europe. Depending on mooring availability, the stopover will be at either Bourg or Libourne.

  Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Saint-Emilion

  

  Optional Excursions

  Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.

  	2022
  Saint-Emilion	TBC

  The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.

  Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in cash in Euros (for tours to Europe) or Sterling (for UK tours).

• Day 6: Bourg or Libourne to Bordeaux

  We cruise to Bordeaux. Once we have docked you can enjoy free time in the town. Bordeaux is said to be the capital of the wine industry and is home to the world wine fair called Vinexpo. The city has a wealth of interesting sights, including St Catherine’s street in the city centre and Saint-Michel’s tower, which soars high above the city.

  One of the city’s most famous attractions is the magnificent Miroir d’eau, the world’s largest reflecting pool, which sits in front of the Place de la Bourse and creates a fabulous effect. One of the nicest parts of the city is Les Quais, which stretch along the banks of the Garonne River and are a pretty place to wander around.

  So why not have a look around at some of the grand buildings and sample some wine before tonight’s dinner and entertainment.

  Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Bordeaux

  

  Included Highlights

  • Bordeaux

• Day 7: Loire Valley

  We disembark and travel north by coach to the Loire Valley. The Loire River is listed as a World Heritage site. We will visit the pretty town of Blois and Château Chambord on our journey. Blois is known as the capital of the Loir-et-Cher area and was first mentioned in the 6th century so the area has both history and buildings of interest all the way through to the modern day.

  We then travel to the Château Chambord, where construction was first started in the 16th century for the young King Francois I and has been a popular attraction ever since its completion. The Château Chambord is one of the most impressive Renaissance building in the Loire Valley which also has beautiful grounds and gardens to explore. We stay overnight in the Loire region.

  Included meals: Breakfast

  Château Chambord

  

  Included Highlights

  • Loire Valley

• Day 8:

  We head north to the Paris area for an overnight stay.

  Included meals: Breakfast

• Day 9:

  Return home.

  Included meals: Breakfast