Capital of the Aquitaine region, Bordeaux is celebrated for its thoughtfully preserved 18th-century architecture. Together, its glorious buildings, many of them built on the wine trade, comprise the world's largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, honored as a City of Art and History, Bordeaux is a "Little Paris” of beautiful boulevards, Gothic and baroque churches, and lovely parks and gardens. The towering spire of the flamboyant Basilica of St. Michael is visible from all over the city, while the city's green spaces are a delight to explore on foot.

As you sail along the lush, green banks of the Dordogne, you will understand why writer Henry Miller called this fertile region a “country of enchantment.” Behind the tree-lined shores that you drift past, vast vineyards stretch into this peaceful and pastoral region, leading to sylvan forests harboring secret stashes of truffles and thriving farms that grow the season’s bounty of fresh produce. Occasional castles and grand manses peer out from behind hedgerows along the Dordogne, and the farther upriver you go, the more intimate and narrow the waters become.

Libourne is a gastronomic haven, an inviting destination full of the authentic flavors of southwestern France. Situated in the picturesque heart of Bordeaux wine country, its surrounding vineyards have a long-standing tradition of crafting exceptional wines from Merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc grapes, showcasing the region's unique terroir. Libourne's culinary scene shines, with an abundance of food markets and charming bistros offering fresh produce and regional delicacies, such as entrecôte à la Bordelaise, perfectly paired with renowned local wines.

A producer of fine red wines, the scenic town of Blaye rests on the Gironde River, just north of Bordeaux. Blaye boasts an extraordinary 17th-century citadel, dramatically set on a rock along the river. The sprawling fortress was built on the orders of King Louis XIV to protect Bordeaux, upstream on the Garonne River. Its ancient Gothic château contains the tomb of Charibert II, King of Aquitaine. Legend has it that the Frankish hero Roland, who served Charlemagne, is also buried here. The citadel, its city walls and two nearby forts comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cussac-Fort-Médoc is a gateway to the Médoc wine country, home to the famed wine growing villages of Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Estèphe and Saint-Julien. Collectively, they produce some of the world’s most prestigious wines with four of the five Premier cru classé hailing from the Médoc region; Château Margaux, Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour and Château Mouton Rothschild. In addition, there are 60 Grand cru classé vineyards and many more incredible wineries, each offering insight into their rich winemaking heritage that has been passed on for generations.

Though its name may not be familiar, the Garonne River is among the most beloved waterways in the world of wine lovers. As you sail its languid waters, gaze upon gentle hills laden with vineyards and riverside outcroppings dotted with honey-colored castles that share long histories of skirmishes. Sleepy French villages set the tone of life along the Garonne, where a slow pace and gentle patience serve the wine-growing industry well. Fishing is also prevalent along the river’s banks; you will pass some of the many carrelets (small fishing huts) hugging the shores.

Set sail through the heart of the Bordeaux wine region as you journey along the Garonne River. Famous for its distinct color-the result of sediment-rich freshwater from its origins high in the Pyrenees Mountains mixing with the salty seawater of the Gironde estuary-this dynamic waterway plays a vital role in the economy of southwestern France. Part of the meandering Canal des Deux Mers ("Canal of the Two Seas”), it connects the Mediterranean and Atlantic Oceans, allowing a shorter and safer route between the two while bolstering inland trade and transportation.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.