Cruise through the Aquitaine Region from Bordeaux to Royan, along the Gironde Estuary and the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers (port-to-port cruise)

BORDEAUX - PAUILLAC(2)

You’ll board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail and enjoy our first evening together. Our ship will begin to cruise to Pauillac. We’ll begin on the Garonne River, before entering the Gironde River where we’ll pass the islands of Cazeau and Patiras before reaching Pauillac.

PAUILLAC(2) - THE MEDOC(1) - Gironde Estuary - ROYAN

This morning, we offer two optional excursions:

CLASSIC Package: Tour through the Médoc vineyards. We’ll cross through most of the famed names in the Médoc region—Saint Julien, Haut-Médoc, etc.— stopping along the celebrated wine route to have a tasting of some of the illustrious regional wines.* 

DISCOVERY Package: "Wine & Cheese." Discover the vineyards and castles of the Médoc region by bike. We'll enjoy a tasting of a grand cru classé along with an assortment of cheeses.* After our excursion, we will return on board the ship.

We’ll cruise the Gironde until we reach Royan during the afternoon. Included excursion for both packages: Royan and its waterfront. Join us for a panoramic tour of Royan where villas from the Belle Epoque and the charming “retro” homes from the 1950s line the waterfront. After our excursion, we will return on board the ship. Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing.

ROYAN - Rochefort - La Rochelle - ROYAN

Optional excursion for both packages: The seaside cities of Rochefort and La Rochelle. Rochefort's historical downtown area boasts lovely private mansions and beautiful homes where the legendary sailors and explorers lived. We’ll visit the Corderie Royale, a historical rope-making factory. Afterwards, we’ll head to La Rochelle. We’ll stop for lunch in a local restaurant. During a guided tour of the old town and port, you’ll learn about the Grosse-Horologe gate, Renaissance arcades, lovely half-timbered homes, finely sculpted facades of the private mansions, and the cathedral. Enjoy some free time before returning to the ship.

At the end of our afternoon, we’ll return to Royan. Join us for dinner and an evening of entertainment.

ROYAN - Saintes - Meschers-sur-Gironde - LIBOURNE(2)

This morning, join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Saintes. We’ll visit the Roman theater, one of the oldest from the era, and the Saint-Eutrope Basilica. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the Way of St. James, it is one of the most important monuments in the city. After our excursion, we will return on board the ship.

This afternoon, join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Talmont-sur-Gironde and Meschers-sur-Gironde. We’ll visit Talmont-sur-Gironde, a typical French seaside village lined with cobblestone streets which is officially listed as one the most beautiful villages in the country. In Meschers-sur-Gironde, we'll tour the cave dwellings suspended in the cliffs which harbor treasures from centuries long ago.

After we return on board, we’ll begin to cruise to our next stop, spending the rest of our day cruising up the Dordogne to Libourne.

LIBOURNE(2) - BORDEAUX

This morning, join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Saint-Émilion. We will take a guided tour of Saint-Émilion's underground monuments before heading to a vineyard for a tasting of local products*.

We’ll return to the ship in Libourne. We’ll then spend the afternoon cruising to Bordeaux. Optional excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Bordeaux at night (you must register for this excursion at your travel agency before your departure). We’ll leave by coach for a panoramic tour of the city, where you’ll be able to discover the main monuments, followed by a tour on foot of the old quarter of Bordeaux.

BORDEAUX - CADILLAC

We’ll cruise along the Garonne, getting a good glimpse of Bordeaux from the water as we continue on to Cadillac. This morning, we offer two optional excursions: 

CLASSIC: a visit to the magnificent and prestigious Château de Roquetaillade. After we explore the towers and keeps in this medieval château, we’ll head to a wine cellar in the Sauternais to enjoy a tasting of the famous Sauternes wine.* Afterward, we’ll return to Cadillac for a guided tour of the city.

DISCOVERY: Gourmet walk in Cadillac. Join us for a gourmet walk in Cadillac. Departing from the port, we will walk along the Garonne River on the former towpaths and then climb up a slope crossing woods and vineyards. The walk will end up with a wine-tasting session*.

We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Bordeaux, and we’ll arrive during the evening. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

BORDEAUX - Arcachon Bay(1) - BORDEAUX

Optional excursion for both packages: To the center of Arcachon Bay. We’ll visit the museum presenting the work and techniques involved in oyster farming, followed by a tasting. We’ll stop for lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we’ll head for Arcachon and a boat ride into the renowned bay. At the end of our afternoon, we’ll return on board the ship in Bordeaux.

OR

This morning, we offer two optional excursions: 

CLASSIC Package: Guided tour of Bordeaux. We’ll leave by coach for a panoramic tour of the city followed by a tour on foot of the old quarter of Bordeaux.

DISCOVERY Package: The Cité du Vin in Bordeaux. The Cité du Vin is a self-guided tour punctuated by 20 themed spaces explaining the culture of wine in an immersive, sensorial setting. The grand finale of your visit will bring you to the upper level for a gorgeous 360° view of Bordeaux and a complimentary glass of wine.*

We'll have lunch on board. Enjoy some free time on your own in the city this afternoon.

Join us for dinner and an evening of entertainment.

BORDEAUX

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.