Aquitaine Reimagined: Bordeaux, Its Rivers and Great Wines ¿ An Exclusive Cruise with Lunch at a Château (port-to-port cruise)

Departure by coach from Libourne for the excursion to Saint-Emilion. Guided tour of the underground monuments in Saint-Emilion village. Your guide will tell you all about the history of the medieval town. You will then visit an exceptional troglodytic site with, undoubtedly, its most original monument, the Monolithic church. Hewn entirely in limestone, it is the largest in Europe. You will then depart for a visit of a family-owned wine-growing estate, where you will be welcomed by the owner, who will explain the stages of the wine-making process in Saint-Emilion. A commented wine-tasting* session will complete the visit. Return to Libourne by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• The tour will take place entirely on foot, so wear sturdy shoes
• The visit of the underground sites involves certain rooms which may be poorly lit and confined.
• *alcohol abuse is dangerous to your heath, consume with moderation.
• The order of visits can be modified.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach from Bordeaux for the Bassin d'Arcachon. We will start our tour with a boat trip on the Bassin d'Arcachon. You'll be able to see the Bird Island, the famous "Cabanes tchanquées" houses on stilts and the oyster beds. Enjoy some free time in Arcachon. We will have lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will go to the Great Dune of Pilat. Culminating at 107m, it is the highest sand dune in Europe. The view from the top is awe-inspiring. Return to Bordeaux at the end of the day.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Lunch included (without drinks)
• Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

The Chartrons District, Wine and Commerce Museum. Set out with your guide on foot to explore the old neighborhood where wine merchants performed their trade—the Chartrons District. You'll visit the Wine and Commerce Museum to trace the history of Bordeaux's classic nectar. We'll enjoy a tasting of wine.*

PLEASE NOTE

• Please wear sturdy shoes
• *alcohol abuse is dangerous to your heath, consume with moderation.
• The order of visits can be modified.
• Times are approximate.

The Bassins des Lumières With our guide leading you, discover this unique digital art center within a former submarine base built by the Germans during their occupation of France during World War II. Each year, the center hosts a different multimedia exhibit, perfectly adapted to the architecture's grandeur and reflective waters.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

An experience combining heritage and gastronomy!
Departing from the port, set off on a gourmet walk through the heart of the charming medieval village of Cadillac, where each stop invites you to discover local culinary delights. Along the way, regional specialties will be handed to your guide for you to enjoy at the end of the walk, accompanied by local wines in a beautiful 17th-century chartreuse (manor house). One of the best getaways to awaken your taste buds while exploring the timeless history of a unique village!

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes and appropriate clothing.
• Length: approx. 4 km/2,5 miles and an altitude difference of 22 m/0.01 miles.
• If the ship is not moored in Cadillac, be prepared for an additional fee or about 15€ for the return trip to Bordeaux.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

Libourne by bike and wine tasting.Guided tour of Libourne. Discover this former English bastide. Located at the confluence of the Isle and Dordogne Rivers, Libourne expanded around its port. We'll see the Saint John the Baptist Church, Abel Surchamp Square, and the imposing clock tower in the grand harbor. Then, we'll hop on our electric bikes and head over to the Pomerol wine-growing area. We'll enjoy a tasting of wine.*

PLEASE NOTE

• Please wear sturdy shoes
• *alcohol abuse is dangerous to your heath, consume with moderation.
• The order of visits can be modified.
• Times are approximate.
• Electrically assisted bicycles available
• Helmets are provided on all our cycling tours.

Departure by coach to discover the Médoc, prestigious wine-growing region. A corner of the world that produces the most prestigious red wines on the planet, tightly wedged between an ocean and an estuary. A mild, humid microclimate which has been favorable to the development of the vines. We will go through most of the Médoc appellations (Saint Julien, Margaux, Haut-Médoc). On the famous Châteaux Route, we will stop to taste the famous wines of the region. On the way you will see major domains such as Châteaux Laffitte-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild. Return to the boat at the end of the afternoon.

PLEASE NOTE

• Visit mostly by coach.
• Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.
• Valid only if pre-booked.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach for the Château de Roquetaillade. This magnificent and prestigious medieval castle is listed as a 12th and 14th centuries historic monument. You will see its medieval keeps, the first Renaissance chimneys in the region (1600), but above all the unique 19th century interiors, a masterpiece by Viollet-le-Duc today classified as a historic monument. Along the way, we will visit a vineyard in the Sauternes area where we'll enjoy a tasting of the famous Sauternes wine*. Return to Cadillac and guided tour of the town. Located on the right bank of the Garonne, the Grailly family, lords of Cadillac, founded this "bastide" (walled town) where the Duke of Epernon built his sumptuous castle. See its gates and ramparts listed as historic monuments, its central square surrounded by arcades, its antique houses and its 15th century church. Return to the boat by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

We’ll leave by coach for Rochefort. Rochefort was originally chosen by Jean-Baptiste Colbert as a refuge, defense, and supply post for the French navy back in the mid-1660s. Its arsenal remained a naval base and dockyard until as late as 1926. The historical downtown area boasts lovely private mansions and beautiful homes where the legendary sailors and explorers lived and which still retain their air of adventure and glamor. We’ll then visit the Corderie Royale, a historical rope-making factory. Built between 1666 and 1669, it was the first industrial building in France, and the factory provided ropes for the French Navy and its ships for over three centuries. We’ll tour the main building and learn about the techniques used to produce the ropes used on the large sailing ships. Afterwards, we’ll head to La Rochelle. We’ll stop for lunch in a local restaurant. The over 1,000-year-old city of La Rochelle is the capital of the Charente Maritime. It’s tucked along the Bay of Biscay and contains some of the most beautiful natural and architectural heritage in the area. During a guided tour of the old town and port, you’ll learn about the Grosse-Horloge gate, the Renaissance arcades, the lovely half-timbered homes, finely sculpted facades of the private mansions, and the cathedral. Enjoy some free time before returning to the ship. At the end of our afternoon, we’ll return to Royan.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.