Garonne and Dordogne cruise: succumb to the charms of southwest France
Depart Bordeaux for Pauillac, where you'll discover the Médoc, a charming region where you can enjoy most of its famous appellations (Saint Julien, Margaux, Haut-Médoc...) on the legendary route des châteaux. During this magnificent cruise on the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, you'll sail along Ile Cazeau up the Dordogne to Libourne and Saint-Emilion, where you'll visit a rare troglodyte complex: the cave of the monk Emilion, builder of the city, the Chapelle de la Trinité built in his honor, and the catacombs. Your cruise on the Garonne and Dordogne rivers will take place on a ship belonging to Croisieurope, a company specializing in river cruises and present on all the rivers of Europe, from the Volga to the Guadalquivir, not forgetting the Danube and the Rhine. The Princesse d'Aquitaine can be found on the Garonne or the Dordogne, the Rhône Princess between Lyon and Avignon, and the Vasco de Gama on the Douro. The company also offers cruises to the Greek islands, the Canaries and the Dalmatian coast. All CroisiEurope ships are renowned for the luxury of their onboard hotel facilities. Meals are prepared by chef Alain Bohn, in the company of other cordon-bleus such as Paul Bocuse, Émile Jung and Marc Haeberlin. Breakfast is served buffet-style, while lunch and dinner must be taken in the dining rooms at set times. The majority of suggested dishes feature the flavors and delights of French gastronomy. This magnificent cruise on the Garonne or the Dordogne is sure to provide you with magical, timeless moments... . It's an experience not to be missed!
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Garonne - Dordogne
Itinerary : Bordeaux, Fort Médoc (Cussac), Blaye, Cadillac, Bordeaux
7 other departures
MS Cyrano de Bergerac
5 d
Ocean view Stateroom
Bordeaux
3/20/2026
from
US$ 1,305
Other departures:
28 Mar 2026
16 Nov 2026
16-20-24-28 Mar 2027
Other departures
Itinerary : Bordeaux, Fort Médoc (Cussac), Royan, Libourne, Bordeaux, Cadillac, Bordeaux
26 other departures
MS Cyrano de Bergerac
7 d
Ocean view Stateroom
Bordeaux
7/26/2026
from
US$ 1,444
Other departures:
21 Apr 2026
08-31 May 2026
22 Jun 2026
Other departures
Itinerary : Bordeaux, Fort Médoc (Cussac), Blaye, Bordeaux, Libourne, Bordeaux
1 other departures
MS Cyrano de Bergerac
5 d
Ocean view Stateroom
Bordeaux
12/23/2026
from
US$ 1,550
Other departures:
23 Dec 2027
Itinerary : Bordeaux, Fort Médoc (Cussac), Blaye, Libourne, Bordeaux
1 other departures
MS Cyrano de Bergerac
5 d
Ocean view Stateroom
Bordeaux
12/28/2026
from
US$ 1,861
Other departures:
28 Dec 2027
Itinerary : Bordeaux, Libourne, Blaye, Fort Médoc (Cussac), Cadillac, Bordeaux
16 other departures
AmaDolce
8 d
Ocean view Stateroom
Bordeaux
6/25/2026
from
US$ 4,003
Other departures:
26 Mar 2026
16 Apr 2026
04 Jun 2026
Other departures
Itinerary : Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena, Malaga, Gibraltar, Sevilla, Lisbon, Leixoes, Bilbao, Pasajes, Bordeaux, St Peter Port, St Malo, Cherbourg, Rouen, Honfleur, Dunkerque, Antwerpen, Ijmuiden
Azamara Quest
26 d
Balcony Stateroom
Barcelona
6/2/2026
from
US$ 14,504
Itinerary : Biarritz, Bordeaux, Fort Médoc (Cussac), Gironde estuary, Blaye, Cadillac, Bordeaux
MS Cyrano de Bergerac
8 d
Ocean view Stateroom
Bordeaux
5/1/2026
from
US$ 2,535
Itinerary : Portsmouth, Honfleur, St Malo, Bordeaux, Bilbao, Ferrol, Vigo, Leixoes, Lisbon
Azamara Quest
12 d
Inside Stateroom
Portsmouth
8/19/2026
from
US$ 2,686
Itinerary : Lisbon, Porto, The Coruna, Gjion, Bilbao, Biarritz, Bordeaux, St Malo, St Peter Port, Le Havre
Oceania Marina
13 d
Inside Stateroom
Lisbon
5/12/2026
from
US$ 4,606
Itinerary : Lisbon, Porto, The Coruna, Gjion, Bilbao, Biarritz, Bordeaux, St Malo, St Peter Port, Le Havre, Cherbourg, Dunkerque, Zeebrugge, Ijmuiden, London, Torbay, Southampton
Oceania Marina
20 d
Inside Stateroom
Lisbon
5/12/2026
from
US$ 7,678
Itinerary : Lisbon, Leixoes, Vigo, Bilbao, Pasajes, St Jean de Luz, Talmont-sur-Gironde, Pauillac, Bordeaux
Le Bellot
11 d
Balcony Stateroom
Lisbon
4/19/2026
from
US$ 10,978
Itinerary : Amsterdam, Tilbury, Dunkerque, Honfleur, Bordeaux, Biarritz, Porto, Lisbon
Seven Seas Grandeur
13 d
Suite
Amsterdam
9/27/2026
from
US$ 13,065
From its source in Spain, the Garonne travels 647 kilometers before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean in the Bay of Biscay. Initially, the river winds its way through the Pyrenees mountains before joining the Ariège and the city of Toulouse. Before reaching the ocean, the river passes Bordeaux, where it meets the Dordogne. The wine capital of the world is one of the most beautiful ports of call on this cruise.
The Dordogne rises in the heights of the Massif Central on the Puy de Sancy, at an altitude of over 1,880 metres. Two rivers join on the slopes of the Puy to form the Dordogne: the Dore and the Dogne. The Dordogne flows for 500 kilometers before emptying into the Atlantic. Before entering the ocean, the river meets the Garonne, forming the Gironde estuary. Welcome to one of Europe's most beautiful estuaries. Navigators were already plying the waters of the estuary in the Bronze Age. From the 12th century onwards, maritime transport gained ground with the advent of the wine trade, with the estuary facilitating trade between France and England. Today, along its 75 kilometers, the estuary offers a wide variety of landscapes with a distinctly bucolic charm, including some magnificent vineyards. The Gironde and Dordogne rivers perfectly embody the authentic face of France and its traditional beauty, thanks to the richness of its terroir and the presence of particularly well-preserved vestiges of the past, such as the Cordouan lighthouse, erected towards the end of the 16th century. This is the oldest lighthouse in France, nicknamed the Versailles of the sea and listed as a historic monument.
This cruise on the Gironde and Dordogne rivers inevitably takes you to Bordeaux, the capital of Aquitaine. During this stopover, discover the city that was once France's first port. Discover the city's essential sights. The Esplanade des Quinconces, the largest square in Europe, sums up the face of Bordeaux: neat and pretty. The grounds are filled with green spaces, fountains and sculptures. The Basilica of Saint-Michel, built between the 14th and 16th centuries in a flamboyant Gothic style, and the Cathedral of Saint-André, a magnificent example of Gothic architecture, contrast with the contemporary masterpieces that also populate the city of Bordeaux. The Maison Mondiale (the convention center) is a perfect illustration of this facet of the city. It's a modern building of glass and metal, set amidst the period buildings of Bordeaux's quayside.
After Bordeaux, set off to discover the vineyards of Bordeaux, particularly the Grands Crus classés on the left bank of the Gironde, including Pauillac. This commune boasts more than thirty wine estates. Of these, 18 are Grands Crus classés en 1855. This stopover in Pauillac will be dedicated to the flavors of the terroir. From Château Lafite Rothschild to Château Duhart-Milon and Château Pichon-Longueville, pass from estate to estate and enjoy some of the world's finest vintages. And don't forget to visit the town's monuments. Château Mouton Rothschild, which houses a small museum, is well worth a visit. Numerous wine-related objects are on display, giving details of the history and production of the bachique liqueur. Château de Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande invites you to discover a magnificent collection of Venetian, French, English and Bohemian glassware. Nearly 700 pieces are on display.
Blaye is another highlight of this cruise. When you disembark, you're off on another oenological adventure in a town covered with over 6000 hectares of vineyards. A cycle path crosses the vineyards of Blaye. Let yourself be tempted by a discovery bike ride punctuated by tastings. During the tour, you'll notice that Blaye produces mainly red wine.
In south-western France, even though winter is free of extreme cold and frost, spring and summer are still the best seasons to cruise the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. By the end of April, spring is on its way. Nature wakes up and flowers bloom, offering a veritable festival of colors. From the beginning of June, the heat is on. The sun is always shining. The summer season runs from June to August. This is the best time to enjoy a cruise. As you sail along the Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde rivers, you'll enjoy the cool breeze while taking in the scenery from the deck of your boat. Even in autumn, the temperature remains pleasant. This means you can look forward to cruising the Gironde estuary in September or October. If you want to avoid the summer crowds, this is a good time to go. But at any time of the year, take the time to dine in restaurants typical of the destination during stopovers. In Bordeaux, for example, L'Estacade welcomes you in a room on stilts, open to the outside world through large bay windows. The view over Bordeaux is breathtaking. On the menu, the restaurant offers regional specialties, a wide range of flavors and a fine wine list.
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