The Ultimate Guide To Bordeaux River Cruises

A hotbed of architecture, world-class wines, gastronomic excellence, scenic diversity, and rich cultural heritage — it is undoubtedly hard to beat a Bordeaux river cruise. 

Cruises in this region tend to feature smaller, more intimate ships like Scenic Diamond and Uniworld’s S.S. Bon Voyage, providing you with a more personalized, exclusive atmosphere with a relaxed vibe, enabling you to soak in the sights and culture at a more leisurely pace. 

Ancient towns and villages are a joy to visit, from UNESCO listed Saint-Émilion, brimming with medieval charm, historical depth, and local traditions, to Blaye and Libourne, both of which also have an embarrassment of history to mull over with stories to tell dating back to Roman times. 

The peaceful commune Cussac-Fort-Medoc is your gateway to the famed Médoc region, renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Bordeaux wines. 

For those looking for a quicker getaway, river cruises in this region often offer shorter, immersive itineraries, which can appeal to travelers with limited time.  One thing is for sure: on your Bordeaux river cruise, you’ll find more than a hint of ooh la la French flair in this corner of la Belle France. 

Bordeaux river cruises typically run from March to November, with each season offering its own distinct advantages. From March to May, spring brings fresh bloom across the region and mild temperatures (11 to 16 degrees) ideal for outdoor activities. With fewer tourists, it provides the perfect opportunity for a peaceful escape and the chance to explore medieval towns and villages.

Wine connoisseurs may want to plan their visit to coincide with the Bordeaux Wine Festival held in late June to experience the region’s celebrated wines, including the delicate white Semillon (with its fruity undertones) and the robust red Cabernet Sauvignon. Sun-sizzled July and August are the busiest months, but if that is your preferred time to travel, we advise booking your cruise well in advance.

Prefer to steer clear of crowds?  The harvest season’s mellow months of September and October may suit you better. These months are especially favored for their comfortable, mild weather (around 19 degrees), making them perfect for shore trip explorations by foot or bike, from walking tours with wine-tasting in hilltop town Saint-Emilion to scenic cycle rides through the storied Médoc wine route.

Sail the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dordogne River, the Garonne, and the Gironde Estuary onboard a luxurious Scenic Space-Ship — sister ships Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Diamond both offer cruises here with plenty of space for their 147 passengers.

A highlight of these ships is the Royal Owner’s Suites — set across 505 square feet of luxury at the rear of the ships; they are ideal for enjoying the ever-changing scenery or spotting wildlife, from black-winged stilts to families of otters.

Besides personal butler service,  suites feature sweeping balconies, spacious lounge areas, and marble bathrooms. Other stand-out features on Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Diamond include a salt therapy room and an onboard cookery school, Scenic Culinaire, where you can take part in free interactive masterclasses and learn to make some of the area’s most popular dishes like Les Dunes Blanches de Bordeaux (small cream puffs dusted in powdered sugar) and Entrecote Bordelaise, (steak cooked with shallots and red wine sauce).

If you prefer to get out in the fresh air,  a fleet of slick electric bikes (e-bikes)is available for a spin when you feel like exploring the tranquil countryside.

The 148-passenger hybrid riverboat AmaDolce is AmaWaterways’ only ship to sail the scenic Bordeaux region. AmaWaterways is dedicated to the culinary arts and was the first river cruise line to be part of the prestigious Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, the world’s oldest, most prestigious gastronomic society — so it goes without saying that food on board is first-class. 

As far as exercise goes, AmaDolce’s fleet of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks are ideal for times when you want to sightsee independently or hook up with a tour from your ship, while there also is a walking track on the Sun Deck. For times when you prefer to relax, the spacious sun deck with whirlpool is ideal, while the small but serene spa has a menu of relaxing treatments, including a mood therapy massage, which is sure to make you come over all zen.

Luxurious, one-of-a-kind supership Bon Voyage is designed to immerse guests in French culture, wine, and art — with an onboard eclectic art collection featuring works by Picasso and Miró.

With a higher passenger-to-staff ratio than other ships in the Uniworld fleet, the Bon Voyage has no shortage of inviting public spaces, as well as awnings for shade and lounge chairs on the Soleil Deck. Four spacious guest suites come with butler service, comfy beds, and rain showers, while the Soleil Deck is home to the only infinity pool on the river. 

Sitting at the rear of the Soleil Deck, classy French’ Le Café du Soleil’ offers poolside service and is where to enjoy al fresco lunches and occasional wine and oyster tastings. You’ll also find open-air cooking demonstrations from Uniworld’s chefs preparing local delicacies, including Macarons (dating back to 1620) and Boeuf de Bazas (a beef exclusive to the region traditionally served with green peppers and mustard sauce).

Cobbled streets shiny from the passage of time and surrounded by vine-covered hills, the UNESCO-listed medieval Saint-Emilion, built like an amphitheater, is awash with ancient vineyards, underground catacombs, Romanesque churches and first-class red wines, specifically Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Wine tradition here dates back to the Ancient Romans — flourishing vineyards were first planted in the 2nd century AD, earning Saint-Émilion the title of the oldest wine-producing appellation in the Bordeaux region. These wines range from light and fruity, a result of grapes grown in sandy soils, to rich, dark flavors thanks to clay and limestone in the earth.

Saint-Emilion celebrates its wine and heritage with two festivals every year: the Fête de Printemps in June and the Ban des Vendanges in September. During the latter, the Jurade, a local wine brotherhood, parade through town in traditional crimson robes reminiscent of the powerful aldermen of centuries past.

The 12th-century Saint-Émilion Monolithic Church, with soaring spires and a 53-meter-high bell tower, is Europe’s largest monolithic church. This unique part-subterranean structure took Benedictine monks 300 years to dig out from the rock and features a maze of catacombs and tunnels, some of which are now used as cellars for maturing wine.

Inside the magical underground world of the catacombs, you can see the Underground Pottery Museum (Les Grottes de Ferrand), which showcases ancient and contemporary ceramics, including flagons and various utilitarian pottery pieces.

A harbor town and gateway to the Pomerol and Saint-Émilion vineyards, Libourne — Dordogne’s first maritime navigation port, was founded and named in 1270 by Sir Roger de Leybourne under the English Crown and King Edward I.

The medieval town enjoys respected status as the winemaking capital of northern Gironde. In spring and summer, a popular open-air market (Marché Libourne) is held in the main square on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays — selling everything from flowers, fruits, and seasonal produce to trinkets, curios, and second-hand books.

If you visit, welcoming locals may encourage you to sample some of the area’s overwhelming variety of superlative gastronomic specialties, such as artisanal breads, fresh oysters from nearby Cap Ferret, and a variety of hale and hearty cheese,s including the salmon-pink Brebis sheep’s milk cheese made with Espelette pepper.

If you time it right, you might also see the Mascaret (tidal bore), an impressive wave that forms on the Dordogne. One of the best times to witness this amazing spectacle is September, the month of the River Festival, where the natural phenomenon is celebrated with a street party with live music, dancing, and revelers wearing fancy dress.

Steeped in ancient history and elegance, Cadillac blends wealth, culture, and a dash of intrigue. Once home to the influential Dukes of Epernon, its crown jewel is the 17th-century Château de Cadillac, a striking example of French architectural grandeur.

Open year-round — except for just three days (January 1, May 1, and December 25), the château offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. But this majestic building isn’t just a testament to opulence. In the 19th century, the French government repurposed the castle, transforming it into a correctional facility for young women, many of whom had been convicted of theft and even infanticide.

One notable inmate, Angélique, became the first woman in France to take religious vows while incarcerated. On Christmas Day 1868, a priest presented her with a nun’s habit and she was given the name Little Sister Noel, a poignant chapter in the château’s storied history. Every Saturday, the bustling market comes to town, a tradition that has lasted over 800 years, with stalls filling Cadillac’s cobbled streets.

Ah, and the name Cadillac?  Indeed, there is a connection to the American luxury car brand. Antoine Laumet, born nearby in 1658, was a colorful figure who, in his quest for prestige, adopted the name Cadillac—a false claim to French nobility—along with a family crest. He went on to establish Detroit, which became the home of the iconic Cadillac automobile.

Nestled in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region between the Gironde estuary and Médoc’s vineyards,  Cussac-Fort-Médoc’s grandest sight is its 17th-century Fort Medoc, designed to defend the estuary in the event of a maritime attack. This is another remarkable feat of engineering thanks to Sébastian Le Prestre de Vauban, one of the greatest military architects and engineers of all time, which proudly bears the coat of arms of Louis XIV, the Sun King, on the tympanum of the door.

Of course, it could be that wine interests you more than historical structures, and if so, you are undoubtedly aware that the name Médoc is synonymous with exceptionally rich wine. Indeed, considered the world’s leading red wine producer, Médoc has been a winemaking region since the 18th century, with more than 16,000 hectares of vineyards across eight appellations.

While in town, those interested in all things equine will delight in a visit to the Lanessan Estate’s Musée du Cheval (horse museum). There, you can discover a collection of 19th-century horse-drawn carriages and vintage cars — and see the saddlery and period stables complete with marble troughs.

While on-site, you can also stroll through Lanessan Castle Park with its Dutch-style greenhouses or enjoy a coffee and croissant in the flower garden.

Studded with enough mysterious underground passages and secret dungeons to keep even the most demanding history buff content, Blaye is another small but mighty fortified town on your river cruise itinerary with plenty of historical clout. 

The UNESCO-listed 17th-century Citadel of Blaye contains the ruins of the medieval Castle Rudel, the Saint-Romain church, and the Minimes convent, all enclosed within its stark walls. 

If you visit Blaye, you will usually have the option of traveling along the cliff-hugging Corniche Road to the ancient village of Bourg-sur-Gironde, which is built on a rocky outcrop. En route, have your cameras ready, as you will see traditional fishing huts on stilts that stand high above the Gironde Estuary waters and troglodyte dwellings perched on steep cliff tops.

In Bourg, you can visit the Citadel Museum with its grand collection of 19th-century carriages or stroll through the French formal gardens and terrace with a beautiful collection of Acers, Hydrangeas, and Ash trees.

This port city, steeped in ancient history and wine, is a delightful blend of old and new. Its medieval harbor, the Port de la Lune (Port of the Moon), is shaped like a crescent moon, a symbol reflected in the city’s coat of arms.

Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has 347 listed buildings, including a miniature version of the Statue of Liberty erected in 1888. Granted, this is a much smaller version at a mere three meters tall than the famous 93-meter-high one in New York, but it’s noteworthy, nonetheless.

For wine enthusiasts, Bordeaux is a dream come true. The vast, eco-friendly, ultra-modern Cité du Vin exhibition space is devoted to all things wine, and while in town, don’t miss the mesmerizing Water Mirror (Miroir d’eau) beside the Garonne River. It is the world’s largest reflecting pool, and the sight is particularly magical at night.

If you visit in late June, you might catch the Bordeaux Wine Festival, a fantastic opportunity to sample local wines from the dry, spicy Château La Tour Carnet Blanc to the medium-bodied red Echo de Lynch-Bages. While taking a stroll along the riverbank paths you may be tempted to stop at one of the many cafes with terraces facing the water, perfect for watching skateboarders and cyclists glide by.

Fans of vintage shopping, meanwhile, could visit Chartrons, a 14th-century neighborhood. With its antique shops, bric-a-brac stores, and plenty of wine cellars, it’s a shopper’s paradise.

• Try to make time to include a trip to Paris in your itinerary. Unforgettable Travel Company can arrange a pre-or post-cruise stay for you, so it’s well worth visiting the ‘City of Light.’  
• It’s wise to book ahead for any winery trips you are particularly interested in, whether in Blaye or Saint-Emilion. Many wine estates in the region are open by appointment only. 
• Although you will probably have one full day in Bordeaux, you might want to add on a few nights before or after your cruise — as there’s plenty to see. The high-speed train, TGV Atlantique, travels between Paris and Bordeaux — the journey takes around 3.5 hours.
• Due to tidal issues, ships dock facing the same direction while in Bordeaux, and cabins facing the city can be noisier. If that’s something you don’t want, book a river-front cabin.
• When you’re offered something to drink or eat, saying ‘Merci’ indicates a refusal, like ‘no thank you’. This differs from the usual practice, where saying ‘thank you’ usually implies acceptance, as in ‘Yes, thank you.’ So, if you want your wine glass filled or to accept a snack, instead of saying ‘Merci,’ say, ‘Oui, s’il vous plait.’
• French law requires that you always have a personal ID about your person, so keep your passport on you.