Great Rail Journeys
First-Class Carcassonne, Châteaux & Vineyards
First Class rail escorted tour based in Carcassonne, France
7 daysfrom $2,269
29% rail
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise
Beautiful Bordeaux, the Dordogne & La Rochelle
Experience the idyllic landscapes of the Bordeaux wine region on a leisurely river cruise on the Garonne and Dordogne, discovering historic cities, UNESCO-listed wonders and exquisite vineyards.
Day by day
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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.
- Vacations By Railfrom $2,699
