Food and Wine Travel
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France — Bordeaux, Dordogne & Garonne
Taste of Bordeaux — Celebration of Wine
Seven nights on the Dordogne and Garonne — Saint-Émilion, the Médoc, and the grand châteaux of Bordeaux, explored by river
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Travel Style
River Cruise
Starting In
Bordeaux
Ending In
Bordeaux
Departures
Selected departures April to October, 2026 and 2027
Reference
FRBDXAAWC
France — Bordeaux, Dordogne & Garonne
Taste of Bordeaux — Celebration of Wine
Seven nights on the Dordogne and Garonne — Saint-Émilion, the Médoc, and the grand châteaux of Bordeaux, explored by river
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Travel Style
River Cruise
Starting In
Bordeaux
Ending In
Bordeaux
Departures
Selected departures April to October, 2026 and 2027
Taste of Bordeaux — Celebration of Wine — 8 Days / 7 Nights
Overview
There is no more immersive way to discover Bordeaux wine country than by river. The Dordogne and Garonne flow directly through the heart of the region — past the limestone slopes of Saint-Émilion, along the Médoc shore with its grand château silhouettes, and into Bordeaux itself, one of the great wine cities of the world.
This seven-night celebration of Bordeaux wine takes in the full breadth of the region: the right bank villages of Saint-Émilion and Fronsac, the dramatic Vauban citadel at Blaye, the legendary appellations of Pauillac and the Médoc, and the UNESCO World Heritage streets of Bordeaux city. An onboard wine host accompanies the group throughout — leading tutored tastings each evening, providing context for every excursion, and ensuring that everything you taste on shore makes deeper sense back on the ship.
This is a wine journey shaped around genuine expertise — not a floating coach tour with wine on the side. Every excursion visits producers and appellations that reward the serious wine traveller, and every evening brings a new bottle and a new conversation.
Trip Highlights
- —Seven nights aboard a premium AmaWaterways vessel — all meals, wines, and excursions included
- —Saint-Émilion: the UNESCO-listed limestone village and its extraordinary underground wine caves
- —Fronsac: one of the right bank's most underrated appellations — less visited, deeply impressive
- —Blaye: the UNESCO Vauban citadel and a Côtes de Bourg estate visit
- —Pauillac and the Médoc: Grand Cru Classé château visit — among the most famous wine estates on earth
- —Cussac-Fort-Médoc: a more intimate château experience away from the famous names
- —Bordeaux city: UNESCO old town, the waterfront miroir d'eau, and the Cité du Vin
- —Onboard wine host throughout — tutored tastings each evening, expert excursion commentary
- —All wines at dinner, all excursions, all gratuities — no unexpected extras
Day by Day
Bordeaux — Embarkation
Arrive in Bordeaux and board your ship at the city's magnificent waterfront quay. Bordeaux's 18th-century stone façades — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — line the Garonne in an almost unbroken two-kilometre arc, and there is no better arrival into wine country. Settle into your cabin, explore the ship, and this evening meet your fellow travellers and your onboard wine host at the welcome reception.
Embarkation, Bordeaux
Board from approximately 4:00pm at the Port of Bordeaux quay. Staterooms are available from embarkation.
Bordeaux waterfront
The Port de la Lune — the crescent-shaped quay that gives Bordeaux its UNESCO designation — stretches along the Garonne just steps from the ship. The miroir d'eau, the world's largest reflecting pool, is a short walk away.
Welcome reception and dinner (included)
Meet your onboard wine host and fellow travellers over a glass of Bordeaux Blanc. Dinner in the onboard restaurant.
Saint-Émilion — The Right Bank's Jewel
The first excursion sets the standard for the week: Saint-Émilion, the most celebrated village of the right bank and one of the most beautiful wine destinations in France. Perched on limestone cliffs above a sea of Merlot, the village is entirely UNESCO-listed — its medieval streets, the monolithic church carved directly from the rock, and the labyrinthine wine caves beneath the town are all extraordinary. This morning includes a guided visit to the underground limestone caves and a tutored tasting of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru wines.
Saint-Émilion guided walk
A guided walking tour through the village's medieval streets — the Collegiate Church, the Cloister, the bell tower, and the view across the vineyards from the terrace.
Monolithic church and underground caves
Descend into the largest monolithic church in Europe — carved from a single limestone mass over several centuries — and explore the network of wine caves beneath the village where millions of bottles are aged.
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru tasting (included)
A tutored tasting of two or three Saint-Émilion Grand Cru wines, led by your onboard wine host — an introduction to the Merlot-dominated style that defines the right bank.
Free time in Saint-Émilion
Explore the village's excellent wine shops, bakeries, and the local specialty — canelés, the small caramelised Bordeaux pastry.
Dinner on board (included)
Return to the ship for dinner with matched wines.
Libourne — Morning Market & Fronsac
Libourne is a handsome medieval bastide town at the confluence of the Dordogne and Isle rivers — the commercial heart of the right bank wine trade for centuries. This morning begins at the local market before heading west to the Fronsac appellation: a hillside wine region overlooking the Dordogne that produces wines of remarkable depth and character, yet remains far less visited than its famous neighbours.
Libourne morning market
The Tuesday and Friday market at the Place Abel Surchamp fills the square with local producers, seasonal vegetables, cheeses, charcuterie, and the extraordinary oysters from the nearby Arcachon Basin — a real working market, not a tourist event.
Fronsac wine estate visit (included)
Drive west from Libourne into the gentle limestone hills of Fronsac — a small, serious appellation producing Merlot and Cabernet Franc of real distinction. A private visit to a quality Fronsac estate with a tutored tasting of their current releases.
Lunch in Fronsac (included)
A relaxed lunch at the estate or a local village restaurant with Fronsac wines.
Optional: cycling along the Dordogne
An optional afternoon cycling excursion along the Dordogne towpath — flat, scenic, and an excellent way to see the river landscape that shapes the wines.
Dinner on board (included)
Evening on board with wines selected by the wine host.
Blaye & Bourg — Citadels and Côtes
The ship sails north up the Gironde estuary to Blaye — a town defined by one of Vauban's greatest fortifications, the star-shaped citadel that dominates the river. After a morning in the citadel, the afternoon moves to the medieval village of Bourg and a visit to a Côtes de Bourg wine estate on the limestone hillsides above the Garonne. The Côtes de Bourg is a region producing increasingly impressive reds that reward discovery.
Blaye — Citadelle de Vauban (included)
A guided visit to the UNESCO-listed Vauban citadel — Blaye's extraordinary 17th-century star fortress overlooking the Gironde. One of the finest examples of Vauban's military architecture in France.
Bourg medieval village
The small walled town of Bourg perches above the Garonne, with a château, a promenade terrace, and streets largely unchanged from the medieval period.
Côtes de Bourg estate visit and tasting (included)
A visit to a quality Côtes de Bourg producer — the hillside limestone terroir here produces Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon of real character, representing some of the best-value serious wine in the Bordeaux region.
Dinner on board (included)
Evening sail as the ship continues along the estuary.
Pauillac — Among the Grands Crus
Pauillac is the most celebrated commune in the Médoc — home to three of the five Bordeaux First Growths, and the long waterfront town where the names on the labels are the names above the gates of the estates you can see from the road. This morning visits one of the Médoc's Grand Cru Classé châteaux for a full estate experience: a tour of the chai and cellars followed by a tasting of the grand vin. This is the appointment that makes Bordeaux wine lovers go quiet.
Médoc Grand Cru Classé château visit (included)
A private visit to a Médoc Grand Cru Classé estate — tour of the vineyards, chai, and barrel cellars, followed by a tasting of the current release and a library vintage. The specific château is selected seasonally for availability and quality.
Pauillac waterfront
The small town of Pauillac has a charming riverfront esplanade, a covered market, and several very good wine merchants specialising in the great names of the Médoc.
Lunch in Pauillac (included)
Lunch at a local Pauillac restaurant with wines selected by your host.
Afternoon at leisure
Free time to explore Pauillac, visit an independent wine shop, or return to the ship for an afternoon on deck as the Médoc landscape scrolls past.
Dinner on board (included)
An elevated dinner with wines chosen to complement the day's tasting experience.
Cussac-Fort-Médoc — A More Intimate Médoc
South of Pauillac, Cussac-Fort-Médoc is a quieter stretch of the Médoc — away from the famous First Growths, in the company of Cru Bourgeois producers who make wines of genuine character and rather more approachable pricing. This morning visits one such estate before a leisurely afternoon sail back toward Bordeaux, the estuary widening as the city's skyline reappears on the horizon.
Cussac-Fort-Médoc château visit (included)
A visit to a quality Cru Bourgeois Médoc estate — a more personal experience than the grand names, with access to the family behind the wine and a tasting of their current and back vintages.
Fort Médoc (optional)
The 17th-century Fort Médoc, another Vauban fortification, is visible from the ship and accessible to those who want a short walk through the marshes and woodland.
Afternoon sail to Bordeaux
The ship sails south toward Bordeaux as the afternoon light drops across the estuary — one of the great river views in France.
Final evening tasting (included)
Your wine host leads a final comparative tasting on board — left bank against right bank, revisiting the week's wines and drawing the threads together.
Farewell dinner on board (included)
The week's finest dinner — the chef's best menu, the wine host's best bottles, and a table of people who have spent a week thinking seriously about Bordeaux.
Bordeaux — The Wine Capital
A final morning in Bordeaux — the city itself is one of the great wine-travel destinations in Europe. The restored 18th-century historic centre is UNESCO-listed: broad stone boulevards, neoclassical squares, and a waterfront that the French spent 200 years trying to make this beautiful. A guided city walk takes in the Grand Théâtre, the Place de la Bourse, the miroir d'eau, and the old wine merchant quarter of the Chartrons. The afternoon is free — the Cité du Vin, Bordeaux's spectacular wine museum, is highly recommended.
Bordeaux city guided walk (included)
A walking tour through the UNESCO-listed old town — the Grand Théâtre, Place de la Bourse, the reflecting pool, and the Chartrons neighbourhood where the great wine négociants built their empires.
Free afternoon in Bordeaux
At leisure — the Cité du Vin (Bordeaux's wine culture museum) is outstanding, as are the independent wine bars and négociant cellars of the Chartrons. Bordeaux's covered market at the Quai des Chartrons opens on weekend mornings.
Farewell drinks on deck
A final glass on board as the Bordeaux waterfront reflects in the Garonne at dusk.
Dinner on board (included)
A last dinner on board before the following morning's disembarkation.
Bordeaux — Disembarkation
After a final breakfast on board, disembarkation takes place from Bordeaux port. The city centre and Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport are both easily accessible. Pre- and post-cruise extensions to Spain (Bilbao, San Sebastián, Madrid) and the Loire Valley or Paris are available — ask us when booking.
Breakfast on board
A final breakfast before disembarkation.
Disembarkation, Bordeaux
Disembarkation from approximately 8:00am. Bordeaux city centre is walkable from the port; the airport is 10km west. Transfer assistance available.
Optional extensions
Pre-cruise extensions: 4 nights in Bilbao and San Sebastián, or Madrid and San Sebastián. Post-cruise extensions: 3 nights in Paris, or 2 nights Loire Valley and 1 night Paris. Ask us for pricing and availability.
What's Included
Included
- ✓7 nights aboard a premium AmaWaterways vessel in a private en-suite stateroom or suite
- ✓All meals on board throughout — breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily
- ✓Unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks with all onboard meals
- ✓Onboard wine host throughout — tutored evening wine tastings and excursion commentary
- ✓All guided shore excursions as listed in the itinerary
- ✓Saint-Émilion guided walk and underground cave and wine tasting
- ✓Fronsac estate visit and tasting with lunch
- ✓Blaye Vauban citadel guided visit
- ✓Côtes de Bourg estate visit and tasting
- ✓Médoc Grand Cru Classé château visit and tasting with lunch
- ✓Cussac-Fort-Médoc Cru Bourgeois estate visit and tasting
- ✓Bordeaux city guided walking tour
- ✓All onboard gratuities
- ✓Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
Not Included
- ✕International flights to and from Bordeaux
- ✕Travel insurance (strongly recommended — please ask us about options)
- ✕Pre- and post-cruise hotel accommodation
- ✕Optional extensions (Spain or Paris/Loire Valley)
- ✕Shore excursion upgrades or optional activities not listed in the programme
- ✕Personal expenses, shopping, and items of a personal nature
- ✕Cité du Vin museum entry (optional, at own expense)
Gallery
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This itinerary can be tailored to suit different travel dates, group sizes, and preferences. Book a free chat to start the conversation.
Trip at a Glance
Accommodation
AmaWaterways River Vessel — Dordogne & Garonne
7 nights
Roundtrip from Bordeaux, France
AmaWaterways' Dordogne and Garonne vessels are purpose-built for this region's narrower waterways — intimate, elegantly appointed ships with beautifully finished staterooms and suites, most featuring full French balconies or twin balconies. All staterooms include fine linens, marble bathrooms, flat-screen television, and individually controlled air-conditioning. The onboard restaurant serves regionally inspired cuisine with matched Bordeaux wines. The Sun Deck provides panoramic views across the vineyards and estuaries.
Good to Know
iBordeaux is served by direct international flights from major Australian hubs via connections in London, Dubai, Singapore, or Paris. We can arrange flights as part of your booking.
iThe cruise operates roundtrip from Bordeaux — arrivals and departures are from Bordeaux port, close to the city centre.
iThis is the Wine cruise variant — the onboard wine host and dedicated wine excursions are specific to this programme. Standard (non-wine) Taste of Bordeaux departures operate separately.
iExcursions involve some walking on cobblestone streets and occasionally uneven terrain. Flat, comfortable shoes are strongly recommended.
iThe Bordeaux wine region is best visited April to October — May, June, and September are ideal for mild weather and active vineyard visits. The September harvest period is exceptional.
iOptional pre-cruise land packages (Bilbao/San Sebastián or Madrid/San Sebastián) and post-cruise extensions (Paris or Loire Valley/Paris) are available. Contact us for details and pricing.
iAmaWaterways' Dordogne and Garonne vessels carry a smaller number of guests than their larger Rhine and Danube ships — expect a more personal, less crowded experience.
iPricing varies by cabin category, stateroom deck, and departure date. Contact us for a personalised quote with current availability.