A taste of Bordeaux 7-night river cruise is a trip you must do. Setting sail on the serene waters of the Garonne, Dordogne, and Gironde rivers is an experience unlike any other. A luxurious river wine cruise package through Bordeaux, France. Brace yourself for a blend of breathtaking vistas, charming countryside, and, most importantly, the tantalizing taste of Bordeaux wines.
Enjoy a wine river cruise that will create lasting memories. Travel to France’s legendary wine capital, Bordeaux. See iconic chateaux, timeless vineyards, and delicious wine tastings. There is wine when you visit Libourne, Blaye, Bourg, Pauillac and Cadillac. This trip is necessary for anyone interested in the best of French culture, lifestyle, wine, and food.
Taste of Bordeaux
On the taste of Bordeaux river cruise, guests will have the opportunity to join an excursion to the town of Saint-Émilion. There, you will attend a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting and experience the top wines of the region. Guests will also tour through the famous cathedral and explore its catacombs and massive underground church.
On our wine river cruise, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. You will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes, and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter what your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Why Wine River Cruise.
Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town offers stunning views of vineyards and beautiful examples of architecture from ancient times to modern day. The beginning of the wine tradition in this town dates to the Ancient Romans, earning Saint-Émilion the title of the oldest wine producing appellation in the Bordeaux region.
The Château de Chenonceau is the most visited French château after Versailles. Stunning in its blend of late Gothic and early Renaissance architecture. It is part castle and part bridge. Spanning across the Cher River. It is home to splendid gardens, intricate mazes, forests, a canal, and opulently decorated rooms with 16th century tapestries and bouquets of fresh flowers.
Celebrate life’s sweetest moments with an intoxicating pairing of ultra-rich, honeyed Sauternes wine from Bordeaux. Taste this delicious wine for yourself on an included excursion, available during our taste of Bordeaux itinerary. Common flavor notes include apricots, honey, peaches, and a rich nuttiness. Although sweet, it pairs perfectly with savory flavors, relishing with the contrast.
A taste of Bordeaux Itinerary
| DAY 1 | EMBARKATION | |
| DAY 2 | Bordeaux | Morning scenic cruising |
| Libourne | Bordeaux | |
| OR Saint-Émilion Excursion | ||
| OR Château de Vayres | ||
| OR Saint-Émilion bike tour and wine tasting | ||
| DAY 3 | Libourne | Bastide town and market visit |
| OR Fronsac Wine Tasting | ||
| OR Château Boutinet hike with wine and tapas tasting | ||
| Free evening | ||
| DAY 4 | Blaye | Citadel visit |
| Blaye | OR Blaye bike tour towards Les Etauliers | |
| Blaye to Bourg bike tour | ||
| Bourg | Bourg walking tour and Carriage Museum | |
| Exclusive wine festival | ||
| DAY 5 | Pauillac | Medoc Grand Cru Classé wine tasting and scenic vineyard tour |
| OR Lynch Bages Village visit & local specialties tasting | ||
| OR Soulac-sur-Mer excursion | ||
| DAY 6 | Cadillac | Roquetaillade Castle with Sauternes wine tasting |
| Bordeaux | OR Roquetaillade and Cadillac visit | |
| OR Cadillac bike tour | ||
| DAY 7 | Bordeaux | UNESCO city tour and market tasting |
| OR Bordeaux bike tour | ||
| Bordeaux Cité du Vin visit | ||
| OR Bassins de Lumières show | ||
| Illuminations cruise | ||
| DAY 8 | Bordeaux | DISEMBARKATION |
7 Night River Cruise Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: BORDEAUX. Embark the ship for your Taste of Bordeaux 7 Night River cruise. (D)
Day 2: BORDEAUX LIBOURNE. Take in the romance of Bordeaux as you pass iconic sights on a scenic wine river cruise. Later in the day, dock in Libourne, a gateway to one of Bordeaux’s most elite wine regions. Join an excursion to Saint Émilion, known for its celebrated vineyards. While there, explore the monolithic church carved out of one piece of limestone rock. Then go under the church to discover its catacombs. Afterwards, enjoy a grand Cru Classe’ wine tasting at either Château de Ferrand or Château de Pressac. Alternatively, you can enjoy an excursion to Saint Émilion solely to discover more of the small historic town.
If you prefer a more active adventure, pedal through the vineyard rich countryside to Saint E’millon. Then go to the Château Soutard for a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting. You can also choose to tour the magnificent Chateau Vayres. It is one of the most prestigious historic buildings of Aquitaine. (B,L,D)
Visit Libourne Blaye
Day 3: LIBOURNE BLAYE. Add a dash of leisurely exploration as you dock in Libourne, making your way to the ancient citadel of Blaye. The panoramic views accompany tours of the Premières Côtes de Blaye vineyards. Crystal glasses clink as you sample lively reds that pair wonderfully with cheeses from the local markets.
Stroll through the colorful, open air market, tasting the region’s specialties. You can also choose to enjoy a tasting of local wines from one of the beautiful wine estates in the Fronsac region. This is truly an exceptional wine river cruise. You can get your heart pumping by venturing deeper into town by hiking through one of Libourne’s renowned vineyards. Later in the day, set sail for Blaye, where you will enjoy an evening at your leisure. (B,L,D)
Day 4: BLAYE BOURG. Once in Blaye, you can join a tour of its 17thcentury citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a more active excursion, take a bike ride around Blaye. Later in the day, you can choose to bike from Blaye through the idyllic French countryside to Bourg. While in the ancient village of Bourg, take a walking tour and visit the Carriage Museum. It is the house of a wonderful collection of horse drawn vehicles. Later in the day, experience the hospitality of this charming medieval city with an exclusive wine festival. Meet the local wine growers and taste the fruits of their labors as well as enjoy live French music and dancing. (B,L,D)
Pauillac
Day 5: PAUILLAC. Enjoy a morning sail to Pauillac, the gateway to the acclaimed wines of the Médoc region. A leisurely stroll through vineyard lanes will guide you to tastings that include powerful reds from grand cru classé producers. Cheers to winemaking traditions dating back centuries.
Pauillac, a lovely village on the Left Bank of the Gironde Estuary. It is a gateway to the famed Médoc region, renowned for producing the world’s finest wines. You will see the most beautiful and famous wine estates including Château Latour. In addition, visit the Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Pichon longueville. You will then visit either Chateau Gruaud Larose or Chateau Le’oville. For a tasting of Grand Cru wines. Alternately, you can visit Lynch Bages, a quaint wine estate and village. After, taste wines and local specialties. Or enjoy a cost drive to SoulacsurMer where you will see unique sights, such as the statue of Liberty and the lighthouse known to be the oldest in France. (B,L,D)
Day 6: CADILLAC BORDEAUX. Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade. It is an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture. The same noble family of seven hundred years owns it. Travel to the Sauternes wine region to either Chateau de Rayne Vigneau or Chateau Guiraud. Taste the highly prized golden hued sweet wines produced there. For those wishing to explore more of the history of decadent castles, you can enjoy a visit to the Roquetaillade castle and Cadillac castle. Another option is pedaling through the charming town of Cadillac for a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
Bordeaux
Day 7: BORDEAUX. Welcome aboard. Your journey starts in the heart of Bordeaux — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend your first day settling into the rhythm of the cruise, meeting fellow wine enthusiasts while sipping on local wines that speak of rich terroirs and history. It is the breathtaking capital of the wine world. It is a “City of Art and History.” You will have an opportunity to experience the rich culture and architecture on a city tour. Following is a visit to the famed indoor Les Halles de Bacalan market for a tasting of local specialties to please the palate.
Bike enthusiasts will wish to join a tour along the city’s amazing network of bicycle paths. Depending on your interests, you have a choice of three excursions in the afternoon. Enjoy a visit to the immersive and interactive Bordeaux Wine Museum, housed in an awe-inspiring building. Alternately, go to a specular sound and light show, les Bassins Lumierres. You can explore the enriching city of Bordeaux at your own leisure. In the evening, enjoy a specular illumination cruise, gazing at the iconic structures of Bordeaux as they glow against the night sky. (B,L,D)
Day 8: BORDEAUX. Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Taste of Bordeaux Summary
Ready for an unforgettable adventure? Let us know how we can make your dream getaway come true. Whether you are a seasoned sommelier or a curious wine traveler, a wine river cruise offers a unique fusion of leisurely exploration and indulgent luxury. It is not just about the wine — it is about the journey, the stories woven into every glass, and the connections shared among travelers. So, pack your bags, and prepare your palate for an odyssey through Bordeaux’s famed vineyards, where every sip tells a story.
For personalized travel plans or more information about booking this enchanting 7 night river cruise, visit our website at TropicalDestinationVacations.com.