DAY 1 / BORDEAUX / EMBARKATION 

After boarding in the evening, settle into your cabin and enjoy a welcome cocktail as we present the crew. After dinner, take a coach to see Bordeaux and explore Vieux Bordeaux on foot—from the elegant neoclassical architecture of the Places des Quinconces, to the narrow, cobblestone lanes of the Quartier Saint-Pierre, to the monumental Grand Théâtre. Half of Bordeaux is UNESCO-listed, making it the largest World Heritage Site in a metropolitan area.

DAY 2 / BORDEAUX / PAUILLAC / THE MÉDOC 

This morning, take in the fresh air as you float down the Garonne, passing Île Cazeau before the river meets the Dordogne and forms the Gironde estuary. Lunch will be served on board. Upon arrival in Pauillac, embark on a guided exploration of one of the world’s most prestigious red wine-producing regions: the Médoc. Nestled between the Gironde and the Bay of Biscay, this region is home to some 1,500 vineyards, including numerous appellations (Saint-Julien, Margaux, Haut-Médoc, etc.). Stop along the mythic Route des Châteaux to see the Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, and Mouton-Rothschild castles and taste one of the area’s famously full-bodied, high tannin red wines. Mooring overnight in Pauillac.

DAY 3 / PAUILLAC / GIRONDE ESTUARY / BLAYE  

Spend the morning admiring the scenery en route to Blaye. Located on the right bank of the Gironde estuary, this site has served as an important military stronghold throughout history due to its ideal lookout conditions. In the 17th century, Vauban, a celebrated French military engineer, constructed a citadel which offers panoramic views of the river. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, the Citadelle de Blaye sits atop a rocky outcrop and is surrounded by medieval ramparts.

In the afternoon, leave for on an excursion to the Route de la Corniche, a narrow road which runs alongside the Dordogne, eventually opening onto the Gironde estuary. Here, see centuries-old fortifications amidst vineyards and gardens, houses nestled into cliffs, and carrelets—fishermen’s cabins perched atop the water. Back on board, moor overnight in Blaye.

DAY 4 / BLAYE / BOURG or LIBOURNE / SAINT-ÉMILION 

This morning, set sail towards Bourg or Libourne, depending on the tides. Upon arrival, visit Saint-Émilion, a village whose history dates back to the prehistoric era. The town takes its name from an eighth-century Benedictine monk and miracle-worker who settled in a local cave from 750-767 AD. Saint-Émilion’s handful of attractions include the statuesque Monolithic Church, the largest limestone cathedral in all of Europe. After, depart for a tour of a family-owned wine estate, where the owner will explain the time-honoured local tradition of wine-making and host a private tasting. After a full day of exploration, you’ll be treated to a gala dinner in celebration of your final night on board.

DAY 5 / BORDEAUX / DISEMBARKATION 

Enjoy a buffet breakfast and take in pleasant landscapes and villages as you cruise back to Bordeaux. Mid-morning, say farewell to the crew and fellow travellers before disembarking.

• The cruise on a full board basis, with meals commencing with dinner on Day One and ending with breakfast on the final morning
• Drinks including water, wine, beer, fruit juices and coffee served by CroisiEurope during meals on board; drinks served at the bar (excluding Champagne and wines on the wine list)
• Accommodation in a double air-conditioned cabin with shower and WC
• Onboard entertainment
• The services of our hostess on board
• Welcome cocktail
• The Gala evening
• Insurance covering aid and repatriation
• All port taxes

Testing tips

Travel Documents / Visas

1. Passport

Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the last date of travel to enter France (EU).

Citizens of other countries should consult with their travel agent or our office.

2. Visa

No visa is required for France for leisure stays of up to 90 days.

Packing List

A handy checklist of what to bring on your trip can be downloaded here.

Insurance

We very strongly recommend the purchase of appropriate travel insurance for any trip outside of Canada. Information on travel insurance options can be found here.

Smoking

Not permitted anywhere indoors. There are designated areas on the outside decks.

Weather

April / May – cool to warm days in the high 10’s / low 20’s. Occasional rain

June to September – warm days in the mid to high 20’s and cool evenings. Mostly dry.

October – cool days in the mid to high 10’s. Occasional frost but mostly dry.

Arrival / Departure

Upon booking, we will provide detail instructions on how to meet your ship on embarkation day. If you have not made any pre or post tour arrangements with us, you will have to arrange your own transportation to and from the port of embarkation. We are happy to provide advice or to assist in arranging transfers.

The ship will not be ready for check-in before mid-afternoon. If you have luggage that you need to deposit so you can enjoy some free time in port, the purser may be able to accommodate you provided we know in advance.

The cruise will finish in the morning (usually around 9am) on the final day. It is necessary to have settled your onboard account and to have disembarked by this time as instructed by the cruise director on the day before.

Money

The currency is the EURO. It is uncommon for local shops and restaurants to accept any other currency.

Credit cards are acceptable for larger purchases in retail shops, but often not in restaurants or cafés.

ATM’s accepting most international debit and credit cards can be found in abundance.

Gratuities (Tipping)

As always, gratuities are at your own discretion. If you feel the service has met or exceeded your expectations, the ship suggests an amount of EURO $ 5-10 per person per day.

Laundry

Unfortunately there are no laundry facilities on board so bring what you need for the cruise.

Excursions

Most of our programs include a full complement of excursions. Some additional excursions may be available on board at an extra cost. Please check with us or consult the purser onboard for additional information.

Excursions will usually involve a lot of walking, often on cobblestone streets. If you have difficulty walking any distance, please let us know in advance and we will advise how best we can accommodate you.

Regrettably, most of our excursions are not suitable to those confined to a wheelchair.

Activity Level / Strenuousness

Light – At most, participation in the shore excursions requires the ability to walk reasonable distances and some stairs.

Food

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your cruise fare so you shouldn’t be too hungry. It is worthwhile to sample the local cuisine though. If you do get the chance, try the Entrecôte Marchand de Vin which is a local steak specialty best enjoyed with the red wine of the region. Also Agneau de Pauillac (lamb) is a favourite among the residents.

Obviously the wine of the region needs no introduction. There are many great Bordeaux wines that taste fantastic but don’t have the price tags of the big name vineyards like Chateau Lafite-Rothschild.

Language

Your shipboard staff all speak English of course, but when you are wandering through the shops in small villages, the local folk may have little English. Time to brush up on that high school French or bring along a phrasebook or translation app.

Medical Facilities

There are no medical personnel onboard the ship. However, the purser can contact onshore medical people for emergency and non-emergency situations and rapid evacuation can easily be facilitated in the most urgent cases.

Phone & Internet

There is a phone in each cabin. As is typical, the charges for overseas calls are relatively high.

Free Wi-Fi is available in the main public areas of the ship but not necessarily in all cabins. As internet is provided through a mobile network, bandwidth (speed) will vary depending on the number of concurrent users, the proximity to a cell tower and other factors.

If you would like to have regular data and phone connection, we suggest either arranging an overseas roaming plan with your mobile operator, or pick up a local SIM card if you have an unlocked phone.

Health / Vaccinations

There are no vaccinations required to travel to France. As always, we recommend being in good health prior to any long distance travel. Consult your physician with any specific concerns in regard to this program.

Safety & Security

Despite recent events, France is extremely safe. Particularly the small cities and towns on this voyage, you should have nothing to be concerned about. This being said, being constantly aware of your surroundings and not taking unnecessary valuables with you is always recommended. Leave your passport, extra money and any other belongings you do not need during the day in the safe in your cabin.

You can access current information about the security situation in France by referring to the Canadian government travel advisory site at https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/france 



Suggested Reading

Eyewitness Guide to Dordogne, Bordeaux & the Southwest Coast

Intoxicating Southern France

Essential Guide to Bordeaux Wines