Search

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise

Beautiful Bordeaux, the Dordogne & La Rochelle

Seven-day river cruise from London through Bordeaux wine region on two rivers

Illustration of Beautiful Bordeaux, the Dordogne & La Rochelle

Great Rail Journeys operates a seven-day river cruise that begins in London and travels via Eurostar to Paris, then by coach and rail to Bordeaux on the Garonne River. After boarding MS Cyrano de Bergerac, you spend six nights cruising the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, visiting UNESCO-listed St Émilion with its monolithic church, the family vineyards of the Médoc wine route, the maritime city of Rochefort and its historic Corderie Royale, and the coastal town of La Rochelle. The journey concludes with a tour of Roquetaillade Château, built in 1306 as the last English castle in France. All breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included aboard ship, as are two wine tastings and a drinks package with dinner each evening. An experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director lead guided walking tours at each stop. This trip suits food-and-wine enthusiasts, history-lovers, and couples seeking a leisurely, guided escape through France's most renowned wine region.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip is primarily a river cruise; rail covers the journey to and from the embarkation point in Bordeaux.
  • The single supplement price (GBP 2,099) is the same as the from-price for two people, indicating no stated single reduction in the evidence.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: MS Cyrano de Bergerac, Bordeaux

    To Bordeaux where we board our cruise ship

    Your holiday begins today as we meet at London St Pancras and join the Eurostar to Paris. From here, we travel by coach and rail through the French countryside to Bordeaux, where we board our ship on the banks of the Garonne River. Take some time to settle into your cabin and explore the ship's inviting lounges or the open deck. This evening, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before our first dinner, accompanied by an evening of entertainment. Due to navigational considerations and tidal influence, the order of the itinerary may change.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: MS Cyrano de Bergerac

    Discovering Bordeaux

    Following breakfast on board, we begin a guided tour of Bordeaux. Beautiful Bordeaux brims with 18th-century grandeur and 21st-century energy. As the world's largest urban World Heritage site, Bordeaux is also the heart of one of the world's most renowned wine regions. This evening, we enjoy a wine tasting to sample Bordeaux's bold and flavourful wines and then settle in for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: MS Cyrano de Bergerac, Cussac

    A tour and tasting in St Émilion

    This morning, we set off on our first cruise on the Dordogne to Libourne. Stepping ashore this afternoon, we travel by coach to St Émilion for a guided coach tour of this UNESCO-listed city. We see the cave of the Benedictine monk Émilion, the largest monolithic church in Europe and other medieval sites. Visiting a family-run vineyard, we have our first tasting of popular local wines before returning to our ship, which sails to Cussac during dinner, mooring overnight.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: MS Cyrano de Bergerac, Royan

    The Médoc wine route

    This morning we wake in Cussac, a sleepy village on the banks of the Gironde river. On a guided tour through the celebrated Médoc wine route, we're treated to our second tasting at a vineyard along the Route des Châteaux. We learn about the unique blend of soil, climate, and tradition that contributes to the rich flavours of the renowned wines. Following lunch, we spend the afternoon on board sailing from Cussac to Royan, a coastal town with beautiful beaches, a seaside promenade and art deco architecture. We moor here for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Cyrano de Bergerac

    Discovering Rochefort and La Rochelle

    After breakfast, we travel by coach to Rochefort, an ancient maritime city on the banks of the Charente River. We visit the Corderie Royale, a historic rope-making factory which supplied the French navy for centuries. We then continue to La Rochelle, one of the most historically important seaports on the European Atlantic coast. After lunch at a local restaurant, we tour the natural and man-made architecture of this unique destination. You then have time at leisure in La Rochelle to explore the Old Town and harbour, or visit one of the city's many museums.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Cyrano de Bergerac, Bordeaux

    The Roquetaillade Château and Cadillac tour

    Setting sail again early this morning, our ship moors in the fortified 13th-century town of Cadillac on the banks of la Garonne. We begin with a tour of the medieval Roquetaillade Château, built in 1306 as the last English castle in France, owned by the same family for 700 years. It has a working farm with Bazadais cattle and a vineyard producing the famous white wine Chateaufort de Roquetaillade. Later, we enjoy a short guided walking tour of Cadillac, with its limestone buildings and 15th-century Ducal Château. We return to our ship and set sail for Bordeaux. This evening, we enjoy a gala dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    After a final breakfast onboard, it's time to say goodbye to our crew. We head to the station by coach and board the train to Paris, where we connect with the Eurostar back to London St Pancras. Our holiday comes to an end here with new memories of the castles, towns and vineyards of the Bordeaux region.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided tour of Bordeaux, the world's largest urban World Heritage site, followed by a wine tasting of Bordeaux wines.
  • Day 3Visit to St Émilion, a UNESCO-listed city, to see the monolithic church and cave of the Benedictine monk Émilion, with a family vineyard tasting.
  • Day 4Guided tour through the Médoc wine route with a second vineyard tasting at a château, learning about soil, climate, and winemaking tradition.
  • Day 6Tour of Roquetaillade Château, built in 1306 as the last English castle in France, with its working farm and vineyard.

Included

  • Experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team throughout
  • 6-night cruise onboard MS Cyrano de Bergerac operated by Croisi Europe
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First & Standard Class rail options available
  • Eurostar Plus on First Class departures
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day of the cruise
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
  • A superb choice of excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Tips/gratuities (at guest's discretion)

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, coach and rail onward to Bordeaux, and a return journey by train and Eurostar to London. First & Standard Class options are available.
What is the accommodation?
Six nights aboard MS Cyrano de Bergerac, a river cruise ship operated by Croisi Europe, moored at various riverside towns including Bordeaux, Cussac, Royan, and Cadillac.
What meals are included?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included every day of the cruise. A drinks package accompanies dinner each evening, and a welcome cocktail is served on the first night.
Are wine tastings included?
Yes. The itinerary includes two vineyard tastings: one at a family-run vineyard in St Émilion (Day 3) and one at a château along the Médoc wine route (Day 4).
When does this trip depart?
Great Rail Journeys lists three departures: September 2026, June 2027, and September 2027.
What is included in the price?
The price includes a Tour Manager and Cruise Director, all rail and coach travel, the 6-night cruise, all meals and drinks with dinner, complimentary Wi-Fi aboard ship, complimentary luggage service to and from the ship, and all excursions with guides.

Similar journeys