Aquitaine cruises: the best itineraries

Discover a mesmerising destination in the heart of the most beautiful AOC vineyard in the world and on board the MS Cyrano de Bergerac, the 29th CroisiEurope ship launched in 2013. Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde river cruises will appeal to good food lovers as well as culture and history buffs. They will fall in love with Aquitaine, a region made up of a mosaique of colourful landscapes. Let’s find out more about each Gironde cruise itinerary and the optional excursions you can choose.

The essential port of calls in the Medoc region

The 5 to 8 day cruises starting in Bordeaux, including The exceptional region of Bordeaux 5-day cruise, all offer the possibility to join a guided tour of the medieval village of Saint Emilion combined with a wine tasting session. Saint Emilion, which also refers to one of the most famous AOC Bordeaux wine appelations, has been listed as a UNESCO site since 1999. Noone can resist its endless vineyards, 12th century church, cobbled streets and small stone houses.

The next visit, a tour of Blaye and its underground monuments will let visitors catch a glimpse of the unique regional military heritage. The same goes for the tour of Bordeaux: the history of this lively city dates back to Roman times and the wine trade with Britain.

The historic buildings, from the smallest old farmhouse to the most impressive wine grower's chateau, are representative of the wine heritage of the region. The fishing heritage of the region is also well represented along the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, as well as the Gironde Estuary. The wine and cheese bike tour is an original and refreshing way to sample regional delicacies, making this a river cruise itinerary jam-packed with varied pleasures and heightened senses!

Discover « La Cité du Vin » in Bordeaux

The ports of call on CroisiEurope’s 6 to 8-day cruises, including the Aquitaine: the great wines of Southern France 6-day cruise, let you delve into the world of winegrowing. One of the must-see sites is the “Cité du Vin in Bordeaux”. Opened in May 2016, this modern building - reminiscent of a lighthouse on the banks of the Garonne - is a unique invitation to voyage to the heart of wine and its traditions throughout the world. The grand finale of your visit will bring you to the upper level for a gorgeous 360° view of Bordeaux.

Famous Châteaux along the rivers in Aquitaine

An Aquitaine holiday wouldn’t be complete without a tour of the well preserved châteaux of the region. The 7 and 8-day cruises, including the Great wines and architectural heritage in the Gironde Estuary 7-day cruise, offer just that. On the famous Châteaux Route, you will explore the prestigious Médoc wine-growing region and sample famous wines. A corner of the world that produces the most prestigious red wines on the planet, tightly wedged between an ocean and an estuary. Travel through most of the Médoc appellations (Saint Julien, Margaux, Haut-Médoc). On the way you will see major domains such as Châteaux Laffitte-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild.

The Arcachon Bay

Last but not least, explore the Acachon Bay on the 8-day The Dordogne and the Garonne through Southern France cruise. Visit the Oyster Centre and Museum located in Larros Port. A modern, interactive scenography will help you discover oyster farming and the history of the oyster. Then, we'll head to Arcachon for 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. We will then 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.

About the MS Cyrano de Bergerac

Cyrano de Bergerac is a play written in 1897 by Edmond Rostand. Although there was a real Cyrano de Bergerac, the play is a fictionalisation following the broad outlines of his life. The MS Cyrano De Bergerac is 110 metres long and 11.40 metres wide. It bears the characteristic colours of the CroisiEurope cruise line and lets in plenty of light thanks to its large windows. The ship also features a modern interior with a touch of luxury design, stylish cabins, an inviting restaurant, cosy bar and relaxing sun-deck. All cabins on all the decks are fitted with all the comfort of a hotel room.