7 Day BORDEAUX RIVER CRUISE
BOP
BORDEAUX - PAUILLAC - BLAYE - LIBOURNE - SAINT EMILION - CADILLAC - BORDEAUX

Two great rivers and the Gironde estuary. A complex and colourful mosaic of scenery, textures and moods. Come and join us as we explore this rich and diverse region.

 

DAY 1: BORDEAUX

Boarding between 6.00 and 7.00pm. Settling into your cabin. Meet the crew during a welcome cocktail reception. Dinner on board followed by an evening of entertainment.

DAY 2: BORDEAUX – PAUILLAC THE MEDOC

We head down the river Garonne and then join the river Gironde, passing Cazeau island and Patiras island before arriving Pauillac in time for lunch on board. Our optional excursion this afternoon is to visit the Médoc (reservation in advance is essential -see with your agency) – a renowned region and an “away-from-it-all” spot where the most famous of all red wines in the world are cultivated. We pass through most of the great Médoc appelations such as Saint Julien, Haut-Médoc and many more, following the famous castles trail. We also have the opportunity to see the “must see” châteaux Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild. We return on board for dinner and an evening of entertainment. We moor for the night in Pauillac


DAY 3: PAUILLAC – GIRONDE ESTUARY- BLAYE

We set sail early this morning, cruising along the Gironde to the estuary. We pass the marshes, Meschers-sur-Gironde with its steep cliffs, Trogolodyte houses and fishermen’s huts, before arriving in Blaye. We have lunch on board, and arrive in Blaye around 2.00pm. We set off by coach on our optional excursion along the Corniche, or cliff route. As we travel, we catch a glimpse of charming gardens, ancient fishermen’s houses, remarkable dwelling places carved out of the heart of the cliff, not forgetting the famous carrelets, the unique fishermen’s huts perched on wooden stilts on top of the water. The scenery here is a quite unusual combination of river, rocks and vines. We stop in the village of Bourg, a charming city built on a rocky outcrop enclosed by medieval ramparts. We then return to Blaye, where we visit the citadel. Majestic and imposing, and listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, it overhangs the Gironde estuary and affords magnificent panoramic views over the Gironde. We return on board for dinner, followed by an evening of dancing. We moor for the night in Blaye.

DAY 4: BLAYE - LIBOURNE or BOURG - SAINT-EMILION(1)

We set sail early this morning, taking breakfast as we cruise, heading towards Libourne. We join the river Dordogne and head for Libourne where we arrive in the early afternoon. After lunch on board, we set off by coach on our optional excursion to Saint-Emilion. We have a guided visit of the underground monuments of Saint-Emilion village as our guide introduces us to the history of the medieval city. We then visit an exceptional Troglodyte settlement – the cave of Emilion, the monk who founded the city, the chapel of the Holy Trinity built in his honour and the catacombs. Finally we see what is undoubtedly the most original of all the monuments – the monolithic church. Carved out entirely from the limestone rocks, it is the largest church in Europe. We next head off to visit a family-run vineyard and wine-producer where we are welcomed by the owner who explains the steps involved in producing the great wines of Saint-Emilion. Naturally we have a tasting to conclude our visit.We rejoin our floating hotel in Libourne at the end of the afternoon. After dinner on board we have an evening’s entertainment provided by our crew before we moor for the night.

DAY 5: LIBOURNE or BOURG - CADILLAC

We have breakfast as we cruise this morning, heading for Cadillac. After passing the island of Cazeau, we head back downstream along the Gironde before joining the Garonne, and we pass the city of Bordeaux. Lunch on board. Arrival in Cadillac. This afternoon we have optional guided visits to the château de Roquetaillade and to Cadillac. We set off by coach for the château de Roquetaillade. This magnificent and prestigious medieval castle is listed as a XIIth and XIVth century historic monument. You will see its medieval keeps, the first Renaissance chimneys in the region (1600), but above all the unique XIXth century interiors, a masterpiece by Viollet-le-Duc. We then move to a vineyard of the "Sauternais" where we enjoy a tasting of the famous Sauternes wine. Return to Cadillac and guided tour of the town. Situated on the right bank of the Garonne, the Grailly family, lords of Cadillac, founded this "bastide" (walled town) where the Duke of Epernon was building his sumptuous castle. See its listed gates and ramparts, its arcaded central square, its old houses, its XVth century church. Return to the boat by coach. We return on board for dinner. The rest of the evening is free. We moor for the night in Cadillac.

DAY 6: CADILLAC - BORDEAUX

We have breakfast and lunch on board today as we continue our cruise back to Bordeaux, where we arrive in the early afternoon. We set off by coach on our optional guided tour of Bordeaux. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bordeaux obtained this classification in the category of “cultural site”. We set off by coach for a guided panoramic tour of the city, and we see the key buildings and monuments before we visit old Bordeaux on foot. We return on board for our gala dinner, followed by an evening of dancing.

DAY 7: BORDEAUX

After breakfast on board, we disembark around 9.00am. End of our services.

**Please note that this is a bi-lingual ship with information provided in both English and French, & an international cruise host on board.**

Prices Include: Full board cruise from dinner of the first day to breakfast of the last day in a double cabin with showers and toilets, welcome drink, entertainment, the Captain's evening, the assistance of our hostess on board, and port taxes. DRINKS INCLUDED with on board meals wine, water, beer, fruit juice, coffee as well as drinks from the bar (excluding champagne and drinks from wine list and speciality coffees)

Prices Do Not Include: Drinks, not listed above, insurance and optional excursions.

For reasons of navigation and passenger safety, the Captain of the ship reserve the right to modify the itinerary of the cruise.



Optional Shore Excursions

Excursion to Pauillac and the Chateaux du Modoc Road
Departure by coach from Pauillac to discover the Modoc, prestigious wine-growing region. A corner of the world that produces the most prestigious red wines on the planet, tightly wedged between an ocean and an estuary. A mild, humid microclimate which has been favourable to the development of the vines. We will go through most of the Modoc appellations (Saint Julien, Margaux, Haut-Modoc) on the famous Chateaux Road. You will also see the major names of Chateaux Laffitte-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild. The excursion will include a stop at one of the Chateaux to taste the famous wines of the region. Return to the boat at the end of the afternoon.
Duration: ~ 4h00 -

Excursion on the Corniche road and guided tour of Bourg
Departure by coach for the optional excursion: the Corniche road. Narrow and picturesque, it runs alongside the Dordogne and then opens out onto the Gironde Estuary. You will see pleasant gardens, old fishermen's houses, remarkable houses nestling in the cliffside and the famous "carrelets", the curious fishermen's cabins perched above the water. Unusual scenery with a mixture of river, stone and vineyards. There will be a short stop in Bourg, a delightful village built on a rocky outcrop surrounded by medieval ramparts. After that, return to Blaye to visit the Citadel. Imposing and majestic, it overlooks the Gironde estuary and offers a splendid panorama of the river. Return to the boat.
Duration : ~ 4h00 -

Excursion of the Chateau de Roquetaillade and Cadillac
Departure by coach for Château de Roquetaillade. This magnificent and prestigious medieval castle is listed as a XIIth and XIVth century historic monument. You will see its medieval keeps, the first Renaissance chimneys in the region (1600), but above all the unique XIXth century interiors, a masterpiece by Viollet-le-Duc, today classified as a historic monument. We then move to a vineyard of the "Sauternais" where we enjoy a tasting of the famous Sauternes wine. Return to Cadillac and guided tour of the town. Situated on the right bank of the Garonne, the Grailly family, lords of Cadillac, founded this "bastide" (walled town) where the Duke of Epernon was building his sumptuous castle. See its listed gates and ramparts, its arcaded central square, its old houses, its XVth century church. Return to the boat by coach.
Duration : ~ 4h00 -

Excursion of Bordeaux
Departure by coach for the optional guided tour of Bordeaux. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Bordeaux has been awarded the precious label in the "cultural site" category. Half of the city, from the boulevards to the banks of the Garonne has thus been recognised for the quality of its architectural heritage. Departure by coach for a panoramic tour of the city, taking in all the main monuments, followed by a walking tour of old Bordeaux. From the wide avenues of the neo-classical Les Quinconces quarter and the Grand Théâtre to the narrow lanes of the Saint Pierre quarter, this circuit will give you a good idea of the diversity of Bordeaux's heritage.
Duration : ~ 2h00 -

Guided tour of St Emilion and wine tasting
Departure by coach from Libourne for the excursion to Saint-Emilion. Guided tour of the underground monuments in Saint-Emilion village. Your guide will present the history of the medieval town. You will then see an exceptional troglodytic site: the cave of the monk Emilion founder of the town, Trinity Chapel built in his honour and the catacombs. Finally, undoubtedly the most original monument, the Monolithic church. Hewn entirely in the limestone, it is the biggest in Europe. You will then depart for a visit of a family-owned wine-growing estate, where you will be welcomed by the owner, who will explain the stages of the wine-making process in Saint-Emilion. A wine-tasting session with commentary will complete the visit. Return to Libourne by coach.
Duration : ~ 4h00 -

For reasons of navigation and passenger safety, the Captain of the ship reserve the right to modify the itinerary of the cruise.

 

2019 / 2020 Per Person Cruise Only Fares  

Departure Ship Main Deck Middle Deck Upper Deck
7-Apr-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,273   $1,481
11-Apr-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,495 $1,703 $1,755
19-Apr-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,273   $1,481
28-Apr-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,495 $1,703 $1,755
1-May-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,515   $1,723
10-May-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996
13-May-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,515   $1,723
22-May-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996
25-May-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,515   $1,723
3-Jun-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996
6-Jun-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,515   $1,723
15-Jun-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996
18-Jun-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,515   $1,723
27-Jun-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996
30-Jun-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,515   $1,723
9-Jul-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,541 $1,749 $1,801
12-Jul-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,339   $1,559
21-Jul-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,541 $1,749 $1,801
24-Jul-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,339   $1,559
2-Aug-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,541 $1,749 $1,801
5-Aug-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,339   $1,559
14-Aug-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,541 $1,749 $1,801
17-Aug-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,339   $1,559
1-Oct-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996
29-Aug-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,339   $1,559
7-Sep-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996
10-Sep-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,515   $1,723
19-Sep-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996
22-Sep-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,515   $1,723
1-Oct-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996
4-Oct-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,515   $1,723
13-Oct-19 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996
16-Oct-19 PRINCESSE D'AQUITAINE $1,273   $1,481
         
10-May-20 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996
26-Aug-20 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996
13-Sep-20 CYRNO DE BERGERAC $1,736 $1,944 $1,996

 

Prices Include: Full board cruise from dinner of the first day to breakfast of the last day in a double cabin with showers and toilets, welcome drink, entertainment, the Captain's evening, the assistance of our hostess on board, and port taxes. DRINKS PACKAGE INCLUDED - Soft Drinks, as well as tea and coffee specialties, Beer, sparkling white wine, Cremant and Prosecco (in a glass), as well as open wines and daily recommendations from the wine menu (by the glass), Cocktails and long drinks throughout the day and evening.

Prices Do Not Include: Drinks, not listed above, insurance and optional excursions.

For reasons of navigation and passenger safety, the Captain of the ship reserve the right to modify the itinerary of the cruise.

There might not be any other english speaking guests on these dates.