Bordeaux & AquitaineRiver Cruise,France
River Cruise
All Inclusive
£2357.50
6 nights in France
What to expect
Explore Wine Regions
Wines of Bordeaux
Optional Excursions
Sightseeing
The Gironde Estuary, Libourne & more
MS Cyrano De Bergerac
Your own cabin with panoramic views
About this trip...
Uncover the timeless elegance of Southwestern France on a magnificent all-inclusive river cruise through the heart of the region. From the historic maritime charm of La Rochelle and the grand architecture of Bordeaux to the world-renowned vineyards of Médoc, Saint-Émilion, and Sauternes, this journey offers an unforgettable immersion into idyllic landscapes, rich history, and the unequivocal French art of living.
What's included?
Flights from London Gatwick to Bordeaux-
Transfers
Main deck sole occupancy cabin
All Inclusive
Official welcome from the captain and crew
Tour Leader
Fully Financially Protected
What's extra:
- Prices available on request for regional flights
- Cabin upgrades – prices available on request
- Shore Excursions
- Insurance click here
Itinerary
- Bordeaux
- Cussac-Fort-Medoc - The Medoc - Gironde Estuary - Royan
- Royan - Rochefort - La Rochelle - Royan
- Libourne-Bordeaux
- Bordeaux - Cadillac
- Bordeaux - Arcachon Bay - Bordeaux
- Bordeaux
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrival into Bordeaux
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 Cussac-Fort-Médoc. We’ll begin on the Garonne River, before entering the Gironde River, where we’ll pass the islands of Cazeau and Patiras before reaching Cussac-Fort-Médoc.
Day Two: Cussac-Fort-Medoc - The Medoc - Gironde Estuary - Royan
This morning, join us on an optional excursion:
CLASSIC: Tour through the Médoc vineyards (only on pre-booking before departure £84). Visit the prestigious earth that nurtures the most renowned red wines of the planet, tucked between an ocean and an estuary. 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.* While we are on the road, we’ll also get a glimpse of the famous label vineyards and domains such as Châteaux Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, and Mouton Rothschild.
DISCOVERY excursion: Royan, guided tour on foot. You'll set out on foot with your guide to discover this Atlantic seaside resort known for its early- to mid-20th-century architecture and vibrant energy. Old villas, luxuriant gardens, quaint boutiques, and the beautiful harbour forge the city's charm. The impressive church was rebuilt in the 1950s using sleek lines and natural light as the focus. Enjoy some time on your own.
- All Inclusive
Day Three: Royan - Rochefort - La Rochelle - Royan
Today you can choose to join an optional excursion for both packages:
- All Inclusive
After we return on board, we’ll spend the rest of our day cruising up the Dordogne to Libourne.
Day Four: Libourne - Bordeaux
This morning, we offer two optional excursions:
CLASSIC: Saint-Émilion. We will take a guided tour of Saint-Émilion's underground monuments, discovering the rich history of this medieval city, including its enigmatic monolithic church. We’ll then head to a vineyard where we’ll learn about how the famous local wine is produced. We’ll enjoy a tasting of local products at the end of our tour.*
DISCOVERY: Libourne by bike and wine tasting*. Guided tour of Libourne. Discover this former English bastide. Located at the confluence of the Isle and Dordogne Rivers, Libourne expanded around its port. We'll see the Saint John the Baptist Church, Abel Surchamp Square, and the imposing clock tower in the grand harbour. Then, we'll hop on our bikes and head over to the Pomerol wine-growing area. We'll enjoy a tasting of wine.*
We’ll return to the ship in Libourne and spend the afternoon cruising to Bordeau.
- All Inclusive
Day Five: 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. This castle has been the backdrop for several French films including Brotherhood of the Wolf (Le Pacte des Loups) and Fanfan la Tulipe. Explore the towers and keeps in this medieval château and take time to learn about the architecture, interiors, and ambiance of French life almost 500 years ago. We’ll then head to a wine cellar in the Sauternais to enjoy a tasting of the famous Sauternes wine.* Afterwards, we’ll return to Cadillac for a guided tour of the city. Located on the right bank of the Garonne River, the city was founded in 1280 and still retains its original structure. We’ll explore the port, its ramparts, and the main square and stroll the streets to admire the old homes and 15th-century church.
DISCOVERY: Gourmet stroll in Cadillac and wine tasting. You will wander through the charming medieval village of Cadillac on a delicious escape between heritage and terroir. The walk will conclude on a flavourful note, with a wine tasting and succulent local specialties in a unique setting.
We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Bordeaux, and we’ll arrive during the evening. Tonight is our festive gala evening.
- All Inclusive
Day Six: Bordeaux - Arcachon Bay - Bordeaux
Today there are a selection of excursions on offer:
This morning:
CLASSIC: The Chartrons District, Wine and Commerce Museum. Set out with your guide on foot to explore the old neighbourhood where wine merchants performed their trade—the Chartrons District. You'll visit the Wine and Commerce Museum to trace the history of Bordeaux's classic nectar. We'll enjoy a tasting of wine.*
DISCOVERY: The Bassins des Lumières. The Bassins des Lumières With our guide leading you, discover this unique digital art centre within a former submarine base built by the Germans during their occupation of France during World War II. Each year, the centre hosts a different multimedia exhibit, perfectly adapted to the architecture's grandeur and reflective waters.
Lunch will be served on board. Enjoy some free time on your own in the city this afternoon.
- All Inclusive
Day Seven: Bordeaux
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.
Accommodation
MS Cyrano De Bergerac
Every shade of blue, from night blue on the walls to the soft blue on the leather sofas, dress every space of the ship. The colour orange brings a touch of pep to the lounge / bar. During the cruise, all meals are served in the restaurant which is located on the middle deck. The lounge / bar, at the front of the ship, will welcome passengers during evening entertainment, aperitif games... Do not hesitate to go to the sun deck to relax! Equipped with armchairs and sun loungers you can relax while enjoying a panoramic view of the landscapes.
Facilities include:
Every shade of blue, from night blue on the walls to the soft blue on the leather sofas, dress every space of the ship. The colour orange brings a touch of pep to the lounge / bar.
The upper deck cabins have wide windows with French balconies, the ones on the middle deck have large windows and on the main deck the cabins have portholes.
During the cruise, all meals are served in the restaurant which is located on the middle deck. The lounge / bar, at the front of the ship, will welcome passengers
during evening entertainment, aperitif games... Do not hesitate to go to the sun deck to relax! Equipped with armchairs and sun loungers you can relax while enjoying a panoramic view of the landscapes.
Room includes:
The upper deck cabins have wide windows with French balconies, those on the middle deck have large windows and on the main deck the cabins have portholes.
Amenities: TV, telephone (for internal calls only), bathroom with shower and toilet, towels, safe, independent air-conditioning, electricity 220V, Wi-Fi.
Please note that there is no laundry service on board the ship.
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Meal Schedule:
- Breakfast: Typically served from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., sometimes starting at 7:00 a.m., depending on the itinerary.
- Lunch: Usually served around noon.
- Dinner: Typically served at 7:30 p.m.
Important Notes:
- Flexibility:
Dining times can be adjusted slightly to accommodate excursions or other activities.
- All-inclusive:
Meals, drinks during meals, and drinks at the bar are generally included in the cruise price.
- One Service:
The dining room can accommodate all passengers at the same time, so there's just one seating for lunch and dinner.
- Menu:
Lunch and dinner menus are usually published at the reception area, and alternative dishes can often be arranged.
From the 12th October 2025 the EU is introducing a new European Entry System (EES) that will be phased in and fully operational by the 10th April 2026. Non-EU nationals including British passport holders will now be required to complete biometric checks on arrival and exit to Schengen countries, which will include facial recognition and fingerprints. There is no cost for this, and no action needs to be taken prior to departure.
Passport and visas To enter France your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:
- less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.
A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period. Please note that stays in other EU countries counts towards this 90 day period.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit ; France Foreign Advice
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
From the 12th October 2025 the EU is introducing a new European Entry System (EES) that will be phased in and fully operational by the 10th April 2026. Non-EU nationals including British passport holders will now be required to complete biometric checks on arrival and exit to Schengen countries, which will include facial recognition and fingerprints. There is no cost for this, and no action needs to be taken prior to departure.
- the latest information on health risks and what vaccinations you need in TravelHealthPro’s France guide
- where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page
