Splendours of Bordeaux & Aquitaine
A sumptuous wine tasting cruise along the Garonne & Gironde Rivers, from the grand city of Bordeaux to the Arcachon Basin aboard the MS Cyrano de Bergerac
- 19 September 2020
Join us as we sail through charming scenery on a relaxing cruise through the region of France famous for its ‘Art de Vivre’. Our weeklong trip combines the glories of the French landscape with the famous wine region of Bordeaux which produces the world’s highest concentration of fine wines.
The success of wine production in the Bordeaux area is attributed to its proximity to sea and rivers which give it a moderate climate with a low risk of severe frosts. While the majority of attention is focused on the top Bordeaux wines, 1855 Classified Growths and the best wines from the prestigious Right Bank appellations, there are 54 different Bordeaux appellations in total with a combined acreage of more than 296,596 acres. Throughout the entire Bordeaux region, close to 450 million bottles of wine are produced in most years. At its heart, sitting alongside the Garonne River, the city of Bordeaux is surrounded in nearly all directions by its world-famous vineyards.
We have timed our river cruise through this picturesque region during the late summer when temperatures are warm and tourist sites less crowded. There will be a variety of wine tasting opportunities during our cruise including Château Lanessan and Château Gruaud-Larose (Haut Medoc), Château de la Dauphine (Fronsac) and Château Myrat (Sauternes). There are also opportunities for further wine tasting at the historic Château Pape Clément and the beautiful Château Carbonnieux. Other highlights include the remarkable Citadel at Blaye, the Basin d’Arcachon, the charming city of Bordeaux and the Great Dune of Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe.
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Cyrano de Bergerac
The MS Cyrano de Bergerac is a stylish and elegant vessel built to embody comfort and relaxation with attentive personal service for cruises in the Bordeaux region. The vessel can accommodate up to 174 passengers but for the purposes of these cruises we are limiting the passenger number to 150 to allow for more space on board and a convivial atmosphere. Original paintings throughout the ship and French design touches give the ship a unique character. The vessel is owned and operated by our associates CroisiEurope and we have chartered the ship for this fascinating voyage.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Bordeaux, France.
Fly by scheduled flight or travel by train from London St Pancras via Paris. On arrival transfer to the MS Cyrano de Bergerac and embark. This evening meet your fellow travellers for the welcome drink and dinner on board.
Day 2 Bordeaux to Pauillac.
Enjoy a leisurely morning on board as we cruise along the Garonne and Gironde Rivers, arriving into the small town of Pauillac this afternoon. Pauillac is possibly the most famous of all the Bordeaux wine producing appellations with a total of 115 different chateaux producing wine. Pauillac wines are rich, full bodied and tannic. After lunch on board, there will be a choice of two fabulous wine estates to visit. The first choice is Château Lanessan, an estate which dates from 1793 and houses a famous cellar and a sophisticated horse museum with superb stables and a collection of horse-drawn carriages dating back to the “Belle Epoque”. Alternatively visit Château Gruaud-Larose, an estate with a long history in the St Julien appellation dating back to the days when the property was first owned by a knight known as Joseph Stanislas Gruaud. Today the Château produces an average of 18,000 cases of wine each year, offering a powerful Bordeaux wine in a traditional style. Each visit will include the estate’s cellars, followed by a wine tasting. The excursion to Château Lanessan also includes a visit to the Horse Museum. Afterwards we travel along the Route des Châteaux (Mouton-Rothschild, Lafite-Rothschild, Cos d’Estournel, Saint Estephe) with several photo opportunities en-route of these magnificent châteaux. Return to the ship in Pauillac and enjoy dinner on board this evening and an overnight mooring.
Day 3 Pauillac to Gironde Estuary & Blaye.
We set sail early this morning, cruising along the Gironde to the estuary. After lunch on board we will arrive in Blaye. The wine appellations in the Blaye area cover a total of 6000 hectares, with no fewer than 700 winegrowers. Red Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux are mainly Merlot based, deep-coloured wines with fruity aromas. Sauvignon Blanc, the star grape variety in White Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wines, has lovely citrus acidity, and a long after taste. We will set off on our excursion along the Corniche, or cliff route, stopping in the village of Bourg, a charming city built on a rocky outcrop enclosed by Medieval ramparts. Here, we visit the superbly located Château Tayac, overlooking the river, for a wine tasting. Continue on to visit the Citadel at Blaye before returning to the MS Cyrano de Bergerac.
Day 4 Blaye to Libourne & Saint Emilion.
We set sail early this morning, join the river Dordogne and head for Libourne where we arrive in the early afternoon. After lunch on board, we set off by coach on our excursion to Saint-Emilion. Enjoy a guided visit of the underground monuments of Saint-Emilion village. We then visit an exceptional Troglodyte settlement – the cave of Emilion. Continue to Château de la Dauphine at Fronsac, for a tasting of their fabulous wines. Since the 18th century, the wines of Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac enjoyed the best of reputations in the Libourne region, and even rated higher than their neighbours in Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. We also visit the first floor of the château, which is truly majestic, built by 1750 in the classical style and set within beautiful gardens. We rejoin our vessel in Libourne and moor overnight.
Day 5 Libourne to Bordeaux.
Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board as we continue our cruise back to Bordeaux, where we arrive in the early afternoon. After lunch there will be a choice of included tours. Join a city tour which will include highlights such as the cathedrals of Saint Andre and Saint Michel followed by a visit to the world-class Cité du Vin with its imaginative and interactive approach to wine, as well as its extraordinary wine shop offering over 800 wines. Alternatively, join our tour to nearby Château Pape Clément, one of the oldest Grand Crus in the whole Bordeaux region. The vineyard was planted in the 13th century by Bertrand de Goth, who went on to become Pope Clement V. Return to the vessel for dinner and moor overnight in Bordeaux.
Day 6 Arcachon Basin or Pessac-Leognan Region.
After breakfast on board, we set off on our full day excursion to the centre of the Arcachon basin. We begin our tour by boarding local boats for a mini cruise of the Basin d’Arcachon, touring around Bird Island, ending at Le Canon where we visit an oyster farm. Here we learn about the farming and history of the oyster, after which we will enjoy an oyster tasting. Return to Arcachon for lunch and, for those who wish, the tour will continue with a visit to see the Great Dune of Pilat. Alternatively, take a more leisurely half day morning tour to the nearby Pessac-Léognan region, where we will visit the beautiful Château Carbonnieux. On arrival enjoy some free time to explore the winery which Basin Château Lafite Rothschild on the Route des Châteaux Great Bell of Bordeaux offers a permanent exhibition of classic cars, wine worker’s tools and a boutique selling the estate’s produce. Afterwards there will be a delicious cheese and wine pairing session before the drive back to the vessel for lunch and an afternoon at leisure in Bordeaux. Moor overnight.
Day 7 Cadillac.
After a leisurely morning of cruising and lunch on board, we will depart for a tour of Château de Roquetaillade where the dungeon tower dates from the 11th century, and the quarters of the Seigneurs from the 12th century. The “new castle” was refurbished by Viollet le Duc, initiator of the Gothic Revival Movement in France 1840-1870 and well-known for his interpretive restorations of Medieval buildings such as Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and the ramparts of Carcassonne. We conclude with a visit to nearby Sauternes for a tasting of this delicious sweet wine at Château de Myrat, property of family De Pontac who have been involved in Bordeaux vines since 1533. Since 1960 it has produced the famous sweet white wine of Sauternes, ranked as a Grand Cru of Second Growth (Deuxième Cru) class in the original Bordeaux Wine Official classification of 1855. This evening join your fellow travellers on board for a farewell dinner as we cruise back to Bordeaux.
Day 8 Bordeaux to London.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport or train station for your return journey to London.
Dates and Prices
19 to 26 September 2020 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Category 1 Main Deck Twin | £2595 | £2395 |
Category 2 Middle Deck Twin | £2695 | £2495 |
Category 3 Upper Deck Twin | £2795 | £2595 |
Category 4 Main Deck Single Cabin | £2595 | £2395 |
Category 5 Middle Deck Single Cabin | £2695 | £2495 |
Category 6 Upper Deck Single Cabin | £2795 | £2595 |
Tour Reference Code: RCCY1900920
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air or train travel • Seven nights aboard the MS Cyrano de Bergerac on full board basis • All-inclusive drinks from 10am to 11pm daily (exclusions apply) • Shore excursions • Wine tastings as described • Cruise Director • Tour Manager • Guest Speaker • Transfers • Gratuities • Port taxes • Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
NB. Please be advised that the order of the itinerary may change due to tidal conditions.
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Deckplan
Cyrano de Bergerac
The MS Cyrano de Bergerac is a stylish and elegant vessel built to embody comfort and relaxation with attentive personal service for cruises in the Bordeaux region. The vessel can accommodate up to 174 passengers but for the purposes of these cruises we are limiting the passenger number to 150 to allow for more space on board and a convivial atmosphere. Original paintings throughout the ship and French design touches give the ship a unique character. The vessel is owned and operated by our associates CroisiEurope and we have chartered the ship for this fascinating voyage.
Travelling with You
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David Hunter
David went to Germany in 1968 for three months’ work experience abroad in the wine cellars of H Sichel Söhne, and ended up staying with the company for 25 years! After finishing his apprenticeship at Maison Sichel Bordeaux, he returned to London where he was later became the company’s purchasing director. This involved frequent trips to both Germany and to key wine producing regions in France, focusing in particular on Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhône where on the commercial side he purchased wines both in bulk and in bottle for the Sichel portfolio. This also included buying classed growth clarets “en primeur” or “futures”. Latterly this also involved visits to Oporto and Jerez.
David has just retired from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust after 20 years’ service. A holder of the Diploma qualification, David has lectured regularly to Diploma students in his specialist subjects of Bordeaux, France in general and Germany as well as fortified wines.
David Hunter will be on the following tour dates: 19 to 26 September 2020
Tour Extensions
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Renowned as one of France’s foremost seaports from the 14th to 17th centuries, La Rochelle offers a beautiful heritage with arcaded walkways, half-timbered houses, stately residences and a fabulous collection of lighthouses – all rich reminders of its prestigious seafaring history. Our visit will include a trip to nearby Ile de Ré, a peaceful and exquisite corner of France’s Atlantic Coast with picturesque harbour villages, golden beaches and a rare tranquility.
Ars en Re on the Ile de Ré
The Itinerary
Day 1 London Gatwick to La Rochelle, France.
Fly by scheduled flight with Easyjet from London to La Rochelle, and on arrival transfer to our centrally located hotel for a two night stay. The harbour area is a lovely place for an evening stroll with many restaurants to choose from.
Day 2 Ile de Ré.
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a full day visit to nearby Ile de Ré. We will take a scenic drive to our first stop, the picturesque harbour village of Ars-en-Ré. On arrival enjoy some free time here to explore. We will continue on to the island’s capital, St-Martin-de-Ré for lunch in a local restaurant followed by time at leisure to explore the pretty streets or relax in one of the local cafés and watch the world go by. Return to La Rochelle in the late afternoon and the remainder of the evening is at leisure.
Day 3 La Rochelle to Bordeaux.
After breakfast at the hotel enjoy some time at leisure to explore at your own pace. The old town, just behind the harbour, is extensive and very well preserved and dates mostly from the 17th and 18th centuries. Also worth visiting are the Towers of La Rochelle, the Cathédrale St Louis in Place de Verdun, and the Maritime Museum. La Rochelle’s main shopping streets and the surrounding area has many fine buildings with houses constructed in the local light stone. Later this afternoon we will transfer to Bordeaux and embark the MS Cyrano de Bergerac (approx. 3 hours’ drive).
Prices per person based on double occupancy
17 to 19 September 2020 Category Price Twin £645 Single £895 Price Includes: Two nights hotel accommodation on bed & breakfast basis, full day tour to Ile de Ré including lunch, transfer from airport to hotel and from hotel to ship.
Not Included: Travel insurance, meals other than those stated.
Please note that train travel is not available in conjunction with the extensions.
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If you would like to spend some more time in Bordeaux after your cruise, we are offering a two night post-cruise extension staying at the renowned 18th century Hotel de Seze. Bordeaux is a grand city with many magnificent 18th and 19th century buildings as well as the cathedrals of Saint Andre and Saint Michel which were recently selected as World Heritage listed monuments by UNESCO. During the extension, your time will be at leisure to explore this beautiful city at your own pace.
Bordeaux
Prices per person based on double occupancy
26 to 28 September 2020 Category Price Twin £445 Single £745 Price Includes: Two nights hotel accommodation on bed & breakfast basis, transfer from ship to hotel and from hotel to airport.
Not Included: Travel insurance, meals other than those stated.
Please note that train travel is not available in conjunction with the extensions.
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000