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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour & river cruise

Beautiful Bordeaux, the Dordogne & La Rochelle

Seven-day river cruise from London through Bordeaux wine country on French waterways.

Illustration of Beautiful Bordeaux, the Dordogne & La Rochelle

Vacations By Rail's seven-day escorted tour combines rail and river cruise through the Bordeaux wine region of southwestern France. You depart London St. Pancars on Eurostar to Paris, continue by rail and coach to Bordeaux, and board the MS Cyrano de Bergerac for a six-night cruise along the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Each day brings guided tours and vineyard tastings: a medieval Roquetaillade Château, the UNESCO-listed hilltop town of St Émilion with its monolithic church, the prestigious Médoc wine route, and the historic ports of Rochefort and La Rochelle. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director accompany you throughout. All meals, including wine served with dinner each evening, are provided onboard, and excursions are guided. This trip suits wine enthusiasts, couples seeking a leisurely escape, and first-time rail travellers who want all logistics arranged.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 1 involves a long travel day: Eurostar from London to Paris, then coach and rail to Bordeaux to board the ship in the evening.
  • Day 3 offers free time to explore Bordeaux independently; the guided city tour and wine tasting happen later in the day.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Ship (Bordeaux)

    To Bordeaux, where we board our cruise ship

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St. Pancras to board the Eurostar to Paris, then travel by coach and rail to Bordeaux to board the ship on the Garonne. Welcome cocktail and dinner onboard.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Ship

    The Roquetaillade Château and Cadillac tour

    Moor at the fortified town of Cadillac for a tour of the medieval Roquetaillade Château, then a guided walking tour of Cadillac, before cruising on toward Bordeaux.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Ship (Bordeaux)

    Discovering the wine city of Bordeaux

    Free time to explore Bordeaux independently, followed by a guided tour of the wine city and an evening wine tasting onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Ship (Cussac)

    A tour and tasting in St Émilion

    Sail along the Dordogne to Libourne, then a guided coach tour of UNESCO-listed St Émilion including its monolithic church and a family-run vineyard tasting, before sailing on to moor overnight at Cussac.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship (Royan)

    The Médoc wine route

    A guided tour and tasting along the celebrated Médoc wine route and the Route des Châteaux, then sailing on to moor overnight at Royan.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship (Bordeaux)

    Discovering Rochefort and La Rochelle

    A coach tour to Rochefort to visit the Corderie Royale, then on to La Rochelle for lunch and a guided tour of its harbor towers and Old Town, before sailing back to Bordeaux for a gala dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7rail

    Traveling home

    A final breakfast onboard before a coach transfer to the station, train to Paris and Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided walking tour of the fortified town of Cadillac and a private tour of the medieval Roquetaillade Château.
  • Day 4Visit UNESCO-listed St Émilion to see the monolithic church, then a guided tasting at a family-run vineyard.
  • Day 5Guided tour and wine tasting along the celebrated Médoc wine route and Route des Châteaux.
  • Day 6Coach tour to the Corderie Royale in Rochefort, then guided tour of La Rochelle's harbor towers and Old Town.

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 6-night cruise onboard MS Cyrano de Bergerac operated by Croisi Europe
  • Excellent service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First and Standard Class rail options available
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

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 train travel included?
Yes. Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Paris and French rail from Paris to Bordeaux are included. First or Standard Class rail options are available.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director team lead the tour throughout, including all guided excursions and onboard activities.
What is the cruise ship?
MS Cyrano de Bergerac, operated by Croisi Europe.
Are meals included?
Yes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day of the cruise, plus wine with dinner every evening and a gala dinner on day 6.
What excursions are included?
Guided tours of Roquetaillade Château and Cadillac, Bordeaux wine city tour, St Émilion and vineyard tasting, Médoc wine route tour, Rochefort, and La Rochelle's Old Town and harbor towers.
What is not included?
Travel insurance, flights, and airport transfers are not included in the price.

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