Cruise Through The Aquitaine Region

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6 p.m. 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.

This morning, we offer two optional excursions: CLASSIC: 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. DISCOVERY: Helicopter flight over the Médoc and tasting. Optional excursion: Royan and its waterfront. Join us for a panoramic tour of Royan, a seaside city and an official French "ville d’Art et d’Histoire." Villas from the Belle Epoque and the charming “retro” homes from the 1950s line the waterfront. In the Foncillon District, we’ll have a look at the fascinating church and learn about its conception. Enjoy some free time before returning to the ship. This is the perfect time to stroll along the port and re-discover the city at your own pace. Some of the most popular sites include the covered market, the modern Palais des Congrès, or the shell auditorium (the spitting image of the famous Boston Hatch Shell). Or you could just decide to have a seat in one of the multitudes of cafés along the boardwalk, or do some shopping, or even enjoy a great meal! After your expedition, you’ll return on board the ship. Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing.

Optional excursion: 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.

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.

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 market in Cadillac. We’ll head toward the hills surrounding Cadillac, crossing through the city and passing in front of the bastide. We’ll then continue on through the vineyards, taking in the breathtaking views of the river below. The trek will finish up on a flavorful tone, with a tasting of wine and succulent local delicacies. We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Bordeaux, and we’ll arrive during the evening. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Optional excursion: To the centre 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.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.