The Best of Bordeaux with CroisiEurope Cruises
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CroisiEurope’s 7 day/6 night cruise through the heart of the Aquitaine region of Southwest France aboard the MS Cyrano de Bergerac will take you on a journey of discovery along the Gironde Estuary and the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Well known for its idyllic landscapes, famous wines, historical monuments, emblematic sites and seaside towns, a cruise through Bordeaux will not disappoint.
If you are starting your trip in Paris, it’s an easy and relaxed two hour train to Bordeaux aboard French Rail’s highspeed TGV. Bordeaux is a larger city than most expect, and there is much to see and take in. One could consider arriving a day ahead to explore the city. Visit the Gothic Cathédrale Saint-André, 18th- to 19th-century mansions and notable art museum, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux.
Boarding the MS Cyrano de Bergerac begins at 6pm on the day of embarkation. This is one of CroisiEurope’s larger river ships carrying 174 passengers. The décor is warm and inviting with shades of blue and pops of orange. The friendly crew create a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere with a family feeling. The lounge area at the front of the ship is the hub of activity when cruising and in the evenings. This is a great place to take in the scenery, have a coffee, tea, glass of wine or cocktail. There are a selection of games for guest use, organized activities and on select evenings, entertainment, music and dancing. Here you will also find a water refill station offering still cold and room temperature water as well as sparkling water (“water with gas”). CroisiEurope has eliminated all plastic onboard, including one-time use water bottles. There is a refillable glass bottle in all cabin and on the tables at meals. For excursions, bring your favorite water bottle with you or purchase one onboard at the gift shop. Other public spaces include the Pianorama Bar with floor to ceiling windows and at the aft of the ship, the outdoor terrace. Cabins are well designed and comfortable. Choose from Upper Deck French Balconies, Middle Deck picture windows or Main Deck porthole window cabins.
CroisiEurope is known for their refined French cuisine 3-4 course lunch and dinner service. The daily pre fixe menus are exceptional and always paired with a good selection of unlimited glasses of regional wines. Any dietary restrictions can be accommodated, just let the line know your needs when you book your cruise.
Now let the cruising begin! The excursion in Cadillac visits Chateau de Roquetaillade where descendants of the original family still live. You will tour the Chateau, chapel and grounds. All of which are truly spectacular. You will also visit Chateau Simon for a tasting of their unique Barsac wine, then finish the time in Cadillac with a walking tour and the central town square.
Fort Medoc, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is next. Rich in history and mystery, take some time to explore here on your own before embarking on the excursion through the Medoc Wine Route. This world-famous wine growing region includes some of the world’s most elite vineyards and breathtaking Chateaus. Along the way your guide will provide you with all the history of the area, and there are photo stops and a winetasting at Chateau Maucaillou before heading back to the ship to enjoy another marvelous lunch service followed by a guided walking tour of Royan later in the afternoon.
Royan, a stunning coastal town that was devastated during WW2 is now a pleasant retirement and summer home community, and a popular surfing destination. After remaining in Royan overnight, there is a full day excursion to the seaside cities of Rochefort and La Rochelle with lunch at a local restaurant. For Naval history buffs, Rochefort will not disappoint. Rochefort was originally chosen by Jean-Baptiste Colbert as a refuge, defense, and supply post for the French Navy back in the mid-1660s. Its arsenal remained a naval base and dockyard until as late as 1926. The historic downtown area boasting lovely private mansions and beautiful homes—where the legendary sailors and explorers lived—still retain their air of adventure and glamor. There is also a visit to Corderie Royale, once a rope making factory supplying the French Navy for over three centuries. In contrast, La Rochelle is a bustling coastal town with plenty of shopping and stunning architecture. The Bay of Biscay, filled with ships, is most definitely a highlight.
On another day you will be awed by the twelfth century Saint-Emilion Monolithic Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, uniquely dug into a rocky hillside. Saint-Emilion is part of the Santiago de Compostela wine route and this excursion includes a tour and tasting at a family owned vineyard Chateau.
A must-do of any trip to the Aquitaine and Bordeaux region is a visit to Arcachon Bay, world famous for its brackish waters and the oysters that flourish in it. On a boat tour of the Bassin d’Arcachon you will learn about nearby islands, the area wildlife, stilt houses and see the oyster beds. No trip to Arcachon would be complete without enjoying a seaside lunch of oysters and Bordeaux wines. Oyster lovers regularly claim that those from Archachon Bay are some of the best you will ever have anywhere in the world. The day is completed with visiting the Great Dune of Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe before returning back onboard for the final dinner of the cruise and an evening of music, dancing and farewells with your newly formed friendships of fellow passengers.
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and so it is with this magnificent 6-night journey through the best of Bordeaux in Southwest France. If your travel plans are taking you to France this summer or Fall, there are still a few departures available in July and September, or plan ahead for 2025 where you can enjoy this itinerary from April through October and take advantage of the early booking discounts available now.
To learn more about The Best of Bordeaux, visit CroisiEuropeRiverCruises online or call 1-800 768 7232 or email [email protected]
Lead photo credit : MS-Cyrano-de-Bergerac-Garonne-Garonne-profil02-CroisiEurope ©Gregory Gerault
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