Cruise through the Aquitaine Region from Bordeaux to Royan
Cruise through the Aquitaine Region from Bordeaux to Royan, along the Gironde Estuary and the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers
This magnificent itinerary will take you to the heart of Southwestern France, well known for its idyllic landscapes, famous wines, historical monuments, and emblematic sites.
What better way to explore this corner of French paradise than through its longstanding maritime cities and its unequivocal art of living?
What's Included
- Booking advice from your Travel Escapes travel advisor
- 6 nights onboard the 5* MS Cyrano de Bergerac
- Refined French cuisine onboard on a full board basis from Dinner on the 1st day to Breakfast on the last day
- DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar
- Gala dinner and evening
- Welcome cocktail
- Free wifi onboard
- Port taxes included
- Onboard activities
- Return flights from Dublin to Bordeaux with 10kg check-in bag per person
- All Airport taxes, charges, and transfers
Discover:
- The Médoc Wine Route
- The charming, retro city of Royan
- Rochefort and the Corderie Royale
- The seaside city of La Rochelle
- Arcachon Bay and the Dune of Pilat(1)
Holiday Highlights
MS Cyrano de Bergerac
RESTAURANT
Located on the middle deck, the restaurant is where all meals are served during your cruise. It seats all guests at tables which vary in size with a panoramic view. The atmosphere is casual but elegant.
RECEPTION DESK
Perfect place to meet up with friends before excursions or to ask any information you may need to the staff. The Gift Shop is also located here, you’ll find a wide assortment of souvenirs, CroisiEurope products and post cards.
LOUNGE BAR WITH DANCEFLOOR
The lounge tastefully decorated has panoramic views and is spanning the bow of the ship. Cocktails and games, dancing, and other forms of entertainment all happen here.
PIANORAMABAR
Unwind in this pleasurable place with a cocktail in hand while listening to the piano. And maybe we will get the pleasure to listen to your talent…
TERRACE
Located at the back of the ship, you can easily meet friends, relax enjoying the view.
FITNESS
Start your day joining us for a morning fitness class on the sun deck.
SUN DECK
Do not miss it to unwind ! It is equipped with recliners and deck chairs, so that you can enjoy the best views of your cruise.
You can find more info about the MS Cyrano de Bergerac, including Deck Plans, on our Ship Information page.
CroisiEurope
Agent
Booking Remarks
Optional insurance €28 (conditions apply)A non-refundable, non-transferable booking deposit of €250 per person is required. Full payment if departure within 16 weeks.
Gratuities are not included and are payable at your discretion at the end of your cruise onboard.
Holidays & offers are subject to availability at the time of booking
These prices are guidelines only and are subject to change and availability. Pricing will be confirmed at time of booking.
Office Use: BYA
For optimal organization of your cruise, the order of the excursions can be modified according to the tides.
(1) Optional excursions.
(2) Depending on mooring availability, the stopover in Libourne may be replaced by a stopover in Bourg.
Alcohol can be dangerous to your health. Please drink in moderation.
Good to Know
Included on board your cruiseYour cruise with all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7 - double-occupancy cabin with shower in private bathroom - onboard entertainment - assistance from the onboard multi-lingual host/hostess - welcome cocktail - gala dinner - all port fees
Not Included
Cancellation and baggage insurance - optional excursions - personal expenses.
Itinerary
Bordeaux, France
Following your flight, you will be transferred to the ship. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail.
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.
Cussac-Fort-Médoc, France
The Médoc, France
Gironde Estuary, France
Royan, France
This morning, join us on a CLASSIC / DISCOVERY optional excursion: Tour through the Médoc vineyards(only on pre-booking before departure). 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.
CLASSIC / 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 harbor 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.
Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing.
Rochefort, France
La Rochelle, France
Royan, France
Optional excursion for both packages: The seaside cities of Rochefort and La Rochelle. We’ll leave by coach for Rochefort. 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. We’ll visit the Corderie Royale, a historical rope-making factory. Built between 1666 and 1669, it was the first industrial building in France, and the factory provided ropes for the French Navy and its ships for over three centuries. We’ll tour the main building and learn about the techniques used to produce the ropes used on the large sailing ships. Afterwards, we’ll head to La Rochelle. We’ll stop for lunch in a local restaurant. The over 1,000-year-old city of La Rochelle is the capital of the Charente Maritime. It’s tucked along the Bay of Biscay and contains some of the most beautiful natural and architectural heritage in the area. During a guided tour of the old town and port, you’ll learn about the Grosse-Horloge 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. After we return on board, we’ll spend the rest of our day cruising up the Dordogne to Libourne.
Libourne, France
Bordeaux, France
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 harbor. 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 Bordeaux.
Bordeaux, France
Cadillac, France
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.
Bordeaux, France
Arcachon Bay, France
Optional excursion for both packages: To the center of Arcachon Bay. Departure by coach from Bordeaux for the Bassin d’Arcachon. We will start our tour with a boat trip on the Bassin d’Arcachon. You’ll be able to see the Bird Island, the famous “Cabanes tchanquées” houses on stilts and the oyster beds. Free time in Arcachon. We will have lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will go to the Great Dune of Pilat. Culminating at 107m, it is the highest sand dune in Europe. The view from the top is awe-inspiring. Return to Bordeaux at the end of the day.
OR
This morning, we offer two optional excursions:
CLASSIC: The Chartrons District, Wine and Commerce Museum. Set out with your guide on foot to explore the old neighborhood 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 center within a former submarine base built by the Germans during their occupation of France during World War II. Each year, the center 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.
Join us for dinner and an evening of entertainment.
Bordeaux, France
Following breakfast onboard, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Ireland.
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