Classic France River Cruise – Bordeaux
The Bordeaux region has been producing wine for over 2,000 years, with many of the local château estates recognised worldwide for the superb vintages they offer. Located in the southern part of western France, Bordeaux gets the perfect blend of sun, rain, and breezes to create the wines we all known and love.
While wine is one of the most popular creations of the area, Bordeaux has so much more to offer you when you visit. A Bordeaux barge cruise will take you through the orchards of Gascony and the Graves vineyards, where you will learn about the complex science of viticulture. With colourful markets and quaint towns to visit, you’ll have an amazing cruise.
Discover the rich history of the area and view stunning architecture with a visit to the medieval town of Nerac, the 14th Century Château de Duras, and the 13th Century fortified village of Vianne. A river barge cruise in Bordeaux brings together delightful wine, gourmet food, and rich history to make for a holiday you’ll never forget.
Bordeaux Cruise Highlights
Your Bordeaux hotel barge cruise will take you along the Canal de Garonne, which is a 120–mile long canal containing 53 locks. Stretching from the Canal du Midi in Toulouse all the way to Castets-en-Dorthe and the Garonne River, it is one of the most fascinating stretches of canal to visit in France.
The Rosa classic Bordeaux cruise is the best way to see the area. Get off the beaten path and instead take a hotel barge through this iconic area. Starting in Bordeaux, you’ll travel to the medieval town of Saint Émilion, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. As one of the largest and old wine regions in France, this is a must to visit, and will take you to some of the amazing châteaux in the area.
Your next stop will take you on a tour of the Garonne river in a flat-bottomed boat, giving you the chance to explore a stretch of river that can be tricky to navigate for many boats. A stop at the village of Le Mas d’Agenais will give you the chance to see some of the beauty of the area in a relaxing setting.
The colourful market of Lavardac will make for some excellent photos before you visit Vianne to see a skilled glassblower at work. From here, you’ll cruise along to Serignac-sur-Garonne to visit the medieval town of Nerac. This town is an excellent destination for history lovers, as you’ll tread in the footsteps of King Henry IV and Queen Margot.
Your final destination of Bóe will take you across the Plan Canal d’Agen, which is one of the longest aqueducts in France. This makes for an unforgettable trip, and you’ll then enjoy a private chauffeured minibus back to your destination of choice in Bordeaux.
Looking to add some more history to your holiday? Why not visit Abbaye St-Pierre de Moissac during your stay? Dating back to the middle of the seventh century, this abbey boasts an impressive Romanesque sculpture at the entrance and a compelling story you’ll want to explore and discover for yourself.
Guests are met in Bordeaux and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Rosa. Following a champagne welcome, there is time for a stroll before returning for your first dinner on board.
This morning, we visit the medieval town of Saint Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site and centre of the most famous of the Bordeaux appellations. Later, we stop at Château Franc Mayne, producer of premier and grand crus wines, where we discover the secrets of the vine and, of course, enjoy a tasting. After lunch on board, we’ll follow the Canal de Garonne, to the port of Meilhan-sur-Garonne, before dinner on board.
This morning we enjoy a cruise to the charming little village of Lagruère. At this time, you can cycle or walk the tow path and enjoy the stunning countryside. Following lunch on board, we tour the Garonne river aboard a traditional flat-bottomed boat, after which we visit the beautiful village of Le Mas d’Agenais, its 11th century church playing host to an ornate Romanesque doorway and an original masterpiece by Rembrandt. After this we take a short drive to an artisanal dairy farm where we experience the entire cheese making process, culminating in a delicious tasting of goats’ cheeses. Dinner, if the weather permits, is a gourmet barbecue beside the barge, overlooking the River Garonne.
This morning we depart early and enjoy the colourful market of Lavardac, before heading to the 13th century bastide village of Vianne with its medieval streets and atypical 12th century Romanesque church. A delectable lunch of regional specialities will be served at restaurant ‘Le Moulin des Saveurs’, before returning to the barge for a cruise along the tranquil Canal de Garonne to our mooring at Buzet-sur-Baise, a pastoral haven. Dinner on board.
After breakfast, we enjoy a leisurely cruise to Serignac-sur-Garonne with time to explore the towpath or relax on the decktop. After lunch on board, we visit the medieval town of Nérac and tread in the footsteps of King Henry IV and Queen Margot. The château was built in the 15th century, but much was destroyed during the French Revolution and today only the impressive north wing remains. We then stop at the Lapeyrade estate for a cellar tasting of Armagnac, the oldest alcohol in France. Dinner on board.
We start the day with a morning cruise towards our final destination of Boé, crossing the Plan Canal d’Agen, one of the longest aqueducts in France which spans the River Garonne. After lunch, we enjoy a stroll through the historic town of Agen to enjoy the colourful decorated cathedral dedicated to Saint Caprasius, before a tour and tasting of biodynamic wines at the family-owned Domaine du Bois de Simon. Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to their choice of location in Bordeaux.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate weeks, the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
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Vessel Type: Hotel Barge
Length: 98 feet
Passenger Capacity: 8
Rosa is an old Dutch “Klipper” barge that was built early in the last century to carry different cargoes on the offshore waterways of Holland. Now, as a charming hotel barge, she navigates the calmer canals of southwest France.
The prettily decorated saloon is particularly welcoming and features attractive wood panelling, comfortable seating, dining area and a cosy bar. The four cosy staterooms accommodating 8 passengers have individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and full en suite facilities. Two staterooms have double beds, the other two staterooms have twin beds.
Outside there is a spacious sun deck with a dining area and parasols for enjoying an alfresco prepared by your chef. Comfortable loungers are also there to relax in as you take in the passing countryside on your sedate cruise along the Canal de Garonne.
Eight bikes are available for your use if you wish to perhaps venture into the next village along the towpath.
Rosa also featured with Anjodi in the successful television series, Rick Stein’s French Odyssey and you are sure to enjoy your own personal ‘odyssey’ through this colourful, captivating part of southwest France.
Inclusions
• All meals catered for by our on board Master Chef, good regional wines served throughout the cruise, an open bar with a large selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Chauffeured and guided sightseeing and use of all barge facilities such as bicycles
• Some barges also have an on-deck jacuzzi
• Local transfers to your barge are included and we will advise you of your meeting point at time of booking
• On our Family Charter Cruises equipment for babies and children will be included on most vessels; cribs, travel cot, high chair, car seats, toys, children bicycles and baby bicycle seats
Exclusions
• Gratuities are not included in the cruise fare. Tipping is entirely discretionary but is greatly appreciated by the crew if you are fully satisfied with the level of service on board. As a guidance our passengers on average tip approximately 5% of the cruise fare. All tips should be given to the Captain on board and are shared between the whole crew. Gratuities can only be made on board by cash payment.
• Optional hot air ballooning. Medical Cancellation Insurance: We strongly recommend the purchase of medical cancellation insurance within 14 days of submitting deposit for your cruise.
River Boat
Highlights
• The first class Rosa hotel barge carries 8 passengers on a classic cruise through Bordeaux in the summer and the autumnOur Associates Include
