For booking information:
330 Rayford Rd #704 / Spring TX 77386
713.240.6753 / 888.869.7907
or E-mail: jan@europeanbarging.com

BORDEAUX RIVER CRUISE
BORDEAUX - PAUILLAC - BLAYE - LIBOURNE - SAINT EMILION - BORDEAUX
BOQ

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 set sail early this morning, and have breakfast as we cruise. We head down the River Garonne and then join the River Gironde, passing Cazeau Island and Patiras Island before arriving Pauillac at the end of the morning. Built long ago by wine merchants and ships' captains, Pauillac has managed to preserve the fine houses belonging to the old nobility that were built from great blocks of stone along its quaysides. After lunch on board, our optional excursion this afternoon is to visit the Modoc (reservation in advance essential) - a renowned region and an "away-from-it-all" spot where the most famous of all red wines in the world are cultivated: a strip of land squeezed between ocean and estuary. Here a mild, humid climate has made it easy to cultivate and develop the vines. We pass through most of the great Modoc appelations such as Saint Julien, Margaux, Haut-Modoc and many more, following the famous Chateaux Route. We also have the opportunity to see the "must see" chateaux of Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild. We return on board for dinner and an evening's entertainment provided by our crew. We moor for the night in Pauillac.

DAY 3: PAUILLAC - BLAYE - LIBOURNE

Departure of the boat in the early morning We leave Pauillac and have breakfast on board as we cruise. We arrive in Blaye around 9.00am. In days gone by, this superb acropolis was the perfect look-out post to watch for invaders. Vauban had a citadel built here and this fortress is without doubt the biggest attraction in Blaye. We set off on our optional excursion along the Corniche, or cliff route. Narrow and picturesque, the road snakes alongside the River Dordogne before reaching the Gironde Estuary. 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, it overhangs the Gironde Estuary and affords magnificent panoramic views over the Gironde. We return on board for lunch, and continue our cruise towards Cadillac. Shortly after passing the island of Cazeau, we join the River Dordogne and head for Libourne, where we arrive during the evening. We return on board for a Gala dinner followed by an evening of dancing. We moor for the night.

DAY 4: LIBOURNE - SAINT-EMILION - BORDEAUX

After breakfast on board, we have an optional excursion to Saint-Emilion this morning. 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 for lunch on board and continue our cruise to Bordeaux, where we arrive around 6.00pm. After dinner on board, we set off on our optional guided tour of Bordeaux by night. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bordeaux obtained this classification in the category of "cultural site". Half of the town - the boulevards on the banks of the River Garonne has also been recognised for its architectural heritage. 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. From the broad avenues of the Neo-classical areas of Quinconces and the Grand Theatre to the narrow alleyways of the Saint-Pierre district, this tour gives us the opportunity to see the diversity of Bordeaux's rich heritage. We return on board and moor for the night.

DAY 5: 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, FREE Wi-Fi 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.

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 - 39 euro per person

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 - 26 euro per person

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 - 39 euro per person

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

 

2024 / 2025 Per Person Cruise Only Fares  

 

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, 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.