In the afternoon, your plane arrives at Bordeaux-Mérignac airport, or your train at Bordeaux Saint-Jean station. Our guide will welcome you on arrival and take you by bus to the Mirabelle.
You will be served a cocktail to welcome you on board.
Your first dinner will give you a preview of the excellent meals that will be served throughout the cruise.
The barge will stop over in the Graves and a bus will take you from there to the Sauternes region, with tours (including tasting) at Château Guiraud and Domaine Rousset-Peyraguey, both of which are located a stone's throw from the illustrious Château d'Yquem.
Once you have returned to the boat, you will go through a set of locks onto the Garonne River and travel to the landing stage at Cadillac, situated at the foot of this picturesque Bastide with its early 17th Century Chateau built by the Duke of Epernon.
During this stopover, our bus will take you to see an impressive fortified 8th Century castle, Château de Roquetaillade.
The cruise will go up the Garonne, to the city of Bordeaux, past the Pont de Pierre to the port of the moon, a landing stage which has one of the most impressive views in the entire city. This takes in the Pont de Pierre, the Place de la Bourse and the Quai des Chartrons in one broad sweep.
You will be utterly captivated by the city's beautiful historic monuments such as the church at St. Michel with it’s gothic spire, the Grand Theatre etc… a guide will take you on a tour of these architectural jewels. You can take advantage of your free time until dinner to get a feel for the city or go shopping in some of the Bordeaux's fine boutiques.
The cruise continues along the Garonne and up the Gironde estuary as far as the landing stage in Blaye.
The "Coteaux" stopover includes a visit to the remarkable 17th century fortress in Blaye designed by Vauban. You will also be welcomed at Château Falfas for a tasting at one of the finest estates in the Côtes de Bourg appellation.
The boat will cross the Gironde estuary to the Médoc peninsula, home of the famous Chateau Rothschild Mouton Cadet and drop anchor at Pauillac. Your bus will take you from there on the "Wine Château" tour to travel through the vineyards to visit one of these famous wine estates.
The boat will head out again at the end of the day to go to Bourg, where we will visit the museum of horse-drawn carriages, and enjoy a walk around town before dinner.
The barge will continue up the Dordogne to the landing stage in Libourne for the "Heritage" stopover.
A memorable excursion to the medieval village of Saint-Emilion built atop a natural amphitheatre includes a tour of cellars dug out of solid rock where wine has been made for centuries. Stroll down the cobbled stoned old lanes and past the well preserved town walls to the remains of a 14th century cardinal’s palace, and then to the Église Monolith, Europe’s largest subterranean Church with 8th century catacombs and a knight’s tomb. You will visit Château Rochebelle, with its underground cellars, and taste their delicious Grand Cru wine
Afterward, the captain and his crew await you on board for a gala farewell dinner.
It is time to say goodbye. We will accompany you to the airport or train station in Bordeaux to continue your holiday or to return home.
The cruise changes direction each week.
Excursions, itineraries, and tours may be modified in light of unforeseeable circumstances, sailing conditions and tides. We are committed to do everything in our power to provide the highest quality service at all times.
Aquitaine Croisieres - Lieu-dit la Pacheyre
33190 BASSANNE (Bordeaux - Sud-Ouest - France)