Cruising the Bordeaux Wine Country

Cruising the Bordeaux Wine Country

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Cruising the Bordeaux Wine Country

9 Days Starting in France and ending in France

Visiting: Paris, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Gironde estuary, Blaye, Saint-Émilion, Bourg, Libourne, Bourg-en-Bresse

Tour operator:

Shearings

Tour code:

wcbwc

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

8-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing, Wine Tasting

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

This wonderful river cruise on-board the MS Cyrano De Bergerac takes us down the River Garonne, around the Gironde Estuary and into the River Dordogne. The highlight of your cruise is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bordeaux, home to some truly stunning architecture. Of course, there’s also a chance for you to sample some wonderful wines along the way.

Highlights

  • This wonderful river cruise on-board the MS Cyrano De Bergerac takes us down the River Garonne

  • The highlight of your cruise is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bordeaux, home to some truly stunning architecture.

  • There’s also a chance for you to sample some wonderful wines along the way.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive In France

Location: Paris

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: City-style hotels

Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to the Paris area for an overnight stay.

Day 2 : Loire Valley

Location: Loire Valley

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: City-style hotels

Meals Included: Breakfast

We disembark and travel north by coach to the Loire Valley. The Loire River is listed as a World Heritage site. We will visit the pretty town of Blois and Château Chambord on our journey. Blois is known as the capital of the Loir-et-Cher area and was first mentioned in the 6th century so the area has both history and buildings of interest all the way through to the modern day.

We then travel to the Château Chambord, where construction was first started in the 16th century for the young King Francois I and has been a popular attraction ever since its completion. The Château Chambord is one of the most impressive Renaissance building in the Loire Valley which also has beautiful grounds and gardens to explore. We stay overnight in the Loire region.

Day 3 : Bordeaux

Location: Bordeaux

Accommodation: M.S Cyrano De Bergerac Cruise

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we travel to Bordeaux which is at the centre of the Bordeaux wine-growing region. Bordeaux is renowned for its historic quarters, and around 1800 hectares are listed as a World Heritage site. Place de la Bourse, with its elegant buildings, and Fountain of the Three Graces are well-photographed, and popular with visitors.

The Cathedral Bell Tower offers a panoramic view of the town and many of its monuments – though visitors must climb 229 steps to the top!

We board our ship, the MS Cyrano De Bergerac for the next five nights. Enjoy a welcome cocktail followed by dinner.

Day 4 : Bordeaux To Cussac-Fort-Medoc

Location: Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Bordeaux

Accommodation: M.S Cyrano De Bergerac Cruise

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we cruise from Bordeaux to Cussac-Fort-Medoc. Come and enjoy an afternoon included excursion to the Medoc a renowned region off the beaten track, where the most famous of all red wines in the world are cultivated. Medoc is home to around 1,500 vineyards. Medoc also has an AOC (Appellations d’origine controlee or the controlled designation of origin) for its wine which is the same for the Champagnes. We pass through many of the great Medoc appellations, following part of the famous Chateaux Route. Then we berth in Cussac-Fort-Medoc overnight.


Depending on mooring availability, the stopover in Cussac-Fort-Médoc may be replaced by another port of call.

Day 5 : Cussac-Fort-Medoc To Gironde Estuary To Blaye

Location: Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Gironde estuary, Blaye

Accommodation: M.S Cyrano De Bergerac Cruise

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We set sail early this morning, cruising towards Blaye. Why not join our included excursion by coach along the Corniche, or cliff route. The scenery here is an unusual combination of river, rocks and vines. We'll return onboard and cruise on the Gironde all the way to the estuary.



Please note that depending on mooring availability, the order of ports of call may be reversed.

Day 6 : Blaye To Bourg/Libourne, Plus Saint-Emilion

Location: Blaye, Saint-Émilion, Bourg

Accommodation: M.S Cyrano De Bergerac Cruise

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we cruise to Bourg/Libourne and offer an optional excursion to the world-famous ‘wine’ village of Saint-Emilion. Saint-Emilion has been a 'wine' town since the Romans first planted vines in the area back in the early 2nd century.

This then continued with the Monk Emilion who settled in the town to worship and develop the vineyards. It was monk Emilion who gave the town its name. From this humble beginning, the vines have blossomed, making St Emilion into one of the largest wine-producing towns in the area. Admire the many sights here, such as Trinity Chapel and the town's Monolithic church, which is also the largest of its kind in Europe.

Tonight is a festive gala dinner and evening.

Depending on mooring availability, the stopover will be at either Bourg or Libourne.

Day 7 : Bourg Or Libourne To Bordeaux

Location: Libourne, Bourg-en-Bresse, Bordeaux

Accommodation Name: M.S Cyrano De Bergerac Cruise

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We cruise to Bordeaux. Once we have moored you can enjoy free time in the town. Bordeaux is said to be the capital of the wine industry and is home to the world wine fair called Vinexpo. The city has a wealth of interesting sights, including St Catherine’s street in the city centre and Saint-Michel’s tower, which soars high above the city.

One of the city’s most famous attractions is the magnificent Miroir d’eau, the world’s largest reflecting pool, which sits in front of the Place de la Bourse and creates a fabulous effect. One of the nicest parts of the city is Les Quais, which stretch along the banks of the Garonne River and are a pretty place to wander around.

So why not have a look around at some of the grand buildings and sample some wine before tonight’s dinner and entertainment.

Day 8 : Paris

Location: Paris

Accommodation Name: Overnight Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We head north to the Paris area for an overnight stay.

Day 9 : Return Home

Location: Paris

Meals Included: Breakfast

Return home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Additional Services

    Travel from a wide range of joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.

  • Meals

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Transport

    Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach

  • Porterage at Hotels

What's Not Included

Accommodation

You will cruise for five nights on board CroisiEurope's 3-star superior ship, the M.S Cyrano De Bergerac. 

Overnight stays in the Loire Valley and the Paris area will be in city-style hotels. 

Check out our Q&As

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    You can be assured of a high level of service and reliability from our expert-trained coach crews, who will be on hand to assist and escort you along the way

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Low

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Yes, 6 years or above

  • Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

    Your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full. Hand luggage should be stored in the overhead racks aboard the coach.

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • Do I have to do the excursions?

    Certain excursions are included in the price of your holiday. If you choose not to go on an included excursion, for whatever reason, no refunds will be made.

  • How much are the optional excursions?

    This depends on which tour you book. Prices are given with the itinerary for the tour and sent out with Travel Documents 5 days before departure.

  • Do I need to have travel insurance?

    If you are a British citizen and are going on a UK holiday, you are not required to have insurance. If you are a non-British citizen and are going on a UK holiday, you are required to have an insurance policy in place or return a signed indemnity form to us prior to travel. For all travellers on European tours, you must either have a travel insurance policy in place or return a signed insurance indemnity form to us prior to travel.

  • Will there be a toilet on-board the coach?

    All main tour coaches have on-board toilets. Transfer vehicles to and from the interchange may not have on-board toilets.

  • Can I pay for the optional excursions when I make my booking?

    Optional excursions can be booked with your coach driver or Tour Manager and operate strictly subject to availability and demand. Some optional excursions are pre-bookable due to demand when making your reservation. The running order of included and optional excursions may be altered without prior notice.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    No, we do not. However, we only ever charge a supplement if a hotelier imposes this charge to us as a company. Single room supplements are a bone of contention within the travel industry and we would like to assure you that we proactively seek accommodation with low or no single room supplements for our guests.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    You will receive a detailed itinerary alongside travel documents, and these will be sent 5 days prior to travel.

Reviews of this operator

Karen Wylie (Google Reviewer)  

Lovely holiday in weston super...

09-Mar-2024

Lovely holiday in weston super mare. Clean comfortable hotel, good food, very pleasant staff in hotel, interesting visits to Bath and Bristol and a really great driver. Would highly recommend. Good value for money

Matthew Lee (Google Reviewer)  

We really enjoyed our trip...

12-Dec-2023

We really enjoyed our trip to Dusseldorf and Cologne . Kelvin and Olivia were great , we felt very safe and well informed and well looked after throughout. The lads on our feeder coach were great too. Never heard anybody complain at all.

Jonathan Wilkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Although room was in need...

24-Apr-2024

Although room was in need of refurbishment the Chatsworth at Llandudno was great. Food, staff excellent, especially wee Jess. Trips were too & a pleasure to get to know our driver, Denny, top fella..

Sheila Allder (Google Reviewer)  

Just had a Holiday to...

15-Jun-2024

Just had a Holiday to Weston Super Mare and stayed at The Great Atlantic Hotel. It was OK but the Lift is out of order and not likely to be working any time soon. Food was ok too.The journey was also OK but a bit cramped. Driver was pleasant and the coach changes were efficient.

Anthony Baines Kimberley (Google Reviewer)  

Went on a coach holiday...

30-May-2024

Went on a coach holiday on 26 April Whit my girlfriend Kim it take 7 hours to get to temby Wales stop after stop the coach driver was polite is name was Gavin the hotel room was a big problem the food poisoning the hotel 2nd night at the lmperial hotel shearing spoke to the staff next couple of days told use it was don't Absolutely disgrace by them never going on white ther give no free holiday are refund bad experience never again 🙁

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Shearings requires a minimum deposit of 75 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of shearings charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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