{"id":14354,"date":"2014-12-12T18:11:16","date_gmt":"2014-12-13T01:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/?page_id=14354"},"modified":"2022-05-26T07:49:05","modified_gmt":"2022-05-26T11:49:05","slug":"river-cruise-bordeaux","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/articles-europe-river-cruises\/river-cruise-bordeaux\/","title":{"rendered":"Bordeaux River Cruises"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bordeaux River Cruises<\/h1>\n\n\n
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Scenic Diamond sailing the Garonne River in Bordeaux. \u00a9 2017 Ralph Grizzle<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Bordeaux<\/strong>. The name inspires visions of free-flowing wines and vintage chateaux, all nestled within the attractive rolling landscape of southern France. Once overlooked by river cruise companies, Bordeaux is beginning to attract river cruisers who are wine aficionados as well as history lovers, thanks to the region’s intoxicating mix of culinary delights and old-world charm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve been to Bordeaux, it is difficult to reflect on the region without feeling some titillation of the palate along with thoughts of uncorked bottles and the scent of crushed grapes fermented to perfection and basking in world acclaim. <\/span>That one should think of wine should come as no surprise. Bordeaux has been a center for wine trade for nearly 2,000 years. The Romans, who conquered the region in 60 BC, endowed Bordeaux with vineyards and wine production. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, more than 10,000 wine-producing ch\u00e2teaux and 13,000 grape growers produce more than 50 appellations, many of which are world-renown and some of which are among the world\u2019s most expensive wines. A fact that will astonish oenophiles: The Bordeaux region produces nearly 1 billion bottles of wine annually<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The French poet and novelist Victor Hugo is said to have found Bordeaux to be so intriguing that he said: “Take Versailles, add Antwerp, and you have Bordeaux.” To fully appreciate this sentiment, dedicate a few hours to strolling or cycling along the left bank to enjoy Bordeaux\u2019s beautiful architecture such as Place de la Bourse with the Miroir d’eau. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re arriving at the international airport and haven\u2019t paid for the transfer to the ship, expect to pay about 50 euros for the 30 minutes it takes to get to the quais where the ships are tied up.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bordeaux river cruises are a good pick for those who want to explore France for the first time or for those looking to complete their \u201cportfolio\u201d of river cruises in France. Bordeaux river cruises also rank high for active travelers who appreciate hikes and bikes, and for those who savor the storied wines produced in the vineyards that give Bordeaux its understated, elegant and timeless beauty.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Go for a river cruise through France’s famed Bordeaux wine region. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The vast majority of river cruises through this region will operate roundtrip from the city of Bordeaux<\/strong>, and most (but not all) are a week in duration. Those looking for longer voyages usually have the option to purchase pre-and-post land excursions to Paris <\/strong>or the Loire Valley<\/strong>, and a handful of river cruise lines will even let you combine multiple river cruises together on back-to-back itineraries that are connected either by direct TGV high-speed train or by overland motorcoach travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the distances between ports on these itineraries aren’t so great (you’ll likely remain docked overnight and do very little actual ‘cruising’ during the day), this proximity allows likes in the region like AmaWaterways<\/a>, CroisiEurope<\/a>, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection<\/a>, Scenic <\/strong>and Viking River Cruises<\/a><\/strong> to offer more in-depth overland experiences than many other European-based river voyages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a single week, guests typically visit multiple vineyards for lessons on past and present production methods and samples of the local wines, which can even include dessert wines like Sauternes. A few river cruise lines offer up visits to nearby Cognac<\/strong>, where fans of the famous brandy can participate in tastings and even blend their very own cognac<\/a> at the Camus Cognac<\/strong> Visitor’s Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have to be a drinker to get the most out of this trip? Not at all. At every turn, magnificent chateaus rise up and fall over the landscape, punctuated by vineyards that stretch for nearly as far as the eye can see. This is wine country, to be sure, but historic cities like Blaye <\/strong>and Cadillac<\/strong> make for fascinating destinations in their own right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Waterways – Bordeaux River Cruises<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Bordeaux, France. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Most of these voyages will begin in Bordeaux, which is located on the banks of the Garonne River<\/strong>. The Dordogne River<\/strong> is north of the Garonne. These two rivers meet northwest of Bordeaux and form what is known as the Gironde Estuary<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Gironde Estuary is 50 miles long and is formed by the confluence of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. The estuary empties into the Bay of Biscay, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. The cities of Blaye<\/strong> and Pauillac<\/strong> are located near the Gironde Estuary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dordogne is located entirely in France. It flows for 300 miles in a westerly direction from Auvergne<\/strong> to its mouth \u2013 the Garonne River. A few cities on or near the Dordogne include Libourne<\/strong>, Saint-\u00c9milion<\/strong> and Bergerac<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South of the Dordogne, the Garonne River flows for 374 miles from northern Spain into France. The mouth of the Garonne River is the Gironde Estuary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tidal fluctuations impose strict timetables on ships, and the region is subject to an unusual natural phenomenon, the Mascaret<\/em>, a strong tidal “bore” that causes waves sometimes large enough for surfing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Typical Bordeaux River Cruise Itinerary<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Viking Forseti departs Blaye, France. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Most river cruises depart from Bordeaux and travel northward to the Gironde Estuary and the Dordogne River. Cruise ships travel only as far east as Libourne on the Dordogne, and visits to Saint-\u00c9milion or Bergerac are by motorcoach from Libourne or by bicycle<\/a>. The distance needed to travel between ports is minimal. Because of that, this isn’t a good itinerary for those who prize their long, lazy days of scenic cruising; most ports will take only a few hours to sail between. While this gives guests more time in port (including overnight stays in select ports of call), it does limit the amount of time your ship is actually sailing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your river cruise ship features onboard bicycles<\/strong>, you’ll find the entire region to be very cyclist-friendly. Cycling between towns (and wine tastings) is offered by some river cruise operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some cruisetour itineraries begin or end in Paris. Travel between Paris and Bordeaux is by motorcoach or high-speed TGV train. Uniworld\u2019s 15-day Portraits of Majestic France<\/em> and 22-day Ultimate France<\/em> packages both begin in Paris with a cruise along the Seine River. After the first river cruise, you\u2019ll be transported to Bordeaux by high-speed TGV train to embark your voyage through Bordeaux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prominent destinations often visited on most Bordeaux river cruise itienraries:<\/p>\n\n\n\n