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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale.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

Biarritz & Bordeaux Cruise

Basque coast and wine country via train and river cruise from London

Illustration of Biarritz & Bordeaux Cruise

Vacations By Rail operates this 10-day escorted journey that opens with the Belle Époque resort town of Biarritz and closes on the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers in Bordeaux. The tour begins in London with Eurostar Plus to Paris, followed by First Class rail to Biarritz for a three-night hotel stay. Day 3 includes an excursion on Le Petit Train de la Rhune, a rack-and-pinion mountain railway climbing to the summit on the France-Spain border. From Day 4 onward, travelers board the MS Cyrano de Bergerac for a six-night river cruise that includes guided tours of UNESCO-listed St. Émilion with a family vineyard tasting, the celebrated Médoc wine route, and maritime cities such as Rochefort and La Rochelle. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director lead all included activities. Meals include breakfast daily, six shipboard lunches and dinners, a drinks package each evening, and wine tastings. The pace is relaxed, with some free time in Biarritz and Bordeaux, though a reviewer noted that multiple transport modes create substantial transit time. This trip suits couples, food-and-wine travelers, and history lovers seeking guided cultural immersion combined with rail travel and river scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • A reviewer noted significant transit time involved; this tour combines multiple transport modes and requires multiple transfers
  • The from-price covers the package; Eurostar and rail fares are included, but cancellation and travel insurance must be purchased separately
  • Optional shore excursions beyond the included itinerary are payable onboard and not priced in advance

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Biarritz

    Arriving in Biarritz

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St. Pancras and take Eurostar Plus seats to Paris with a light meal served at your seats, then continue by First Class rail to Biarritz for a three-night stay.

    Meals: Eurostar Light Meal

  2. Day 2overnight: Biarritz

    Discovering beautiful Biarritz

    A free day to explore the Belle Époque resort at your own pace, its beaches, Old Port and the Rocher de la Vierge.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3railovernight: Biarritz

    A trip on the La Rhune Mountain Railway

    Coach to Col de Saint-Ignace to board Le Petit Train de la Rhune, a rack-and-pinion railway to the summit of La Rhune on the France/Spain border, followed by a three-course lunch with cider in Ascain before returning to Biarritz.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  4. Day 4railovernight: Ship (Bordeaux)

    To Bordeaux, where we board our luxurious ship

    A free morning in Biarritz, then a coach and First Class train transfer to Bordeaux to board the MS Cyrano de Bergerac for a six-night cruise, with a welcome cocktail and dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship (Bordeaux)

    Welcome to the city of Bordeaux

    Free time to explore Bordeaux independently or relax onboard, followed by a guided walking tour of the city and an evening wine-tasting before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship (Cussac)

    Exploring medieval St. Émilion

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

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship (Royan)

    Tasting the wines of Médoc

    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

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship (Bordeaux)

    The maritime cities of Rochefort & 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 Old Quarter and defensive towers, before cruising back toward Bordeaux.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship (Bordeaux)

    Visit Roquetaillade Château or medieval Cadillac

    A choice of excursions from Cadillac - the medieval Roquetaillade Château or a guided walking tour of Cadillac - followed by the captain's gala dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10rail

    Tour conclusion

    A final breakfast onboard before a coach transfer to the station, First Class train to Paris and Eurostar Plus back to London St. Pancras with a light meal served at your seats.

    Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar Plus at London St. Pancras and take First Class rail through Paris to Biarritz for a three-night stay
  • Day 3Ride Le Petit Train de la Rhune, a rack-and-pinion railway to the summit of La Rhune on the France-Spain border
  • Day 6Tour UNESCO-listed medieval St. Émilion, including its monolithic church and a family-run vineyard tasting
  • Day 7Explore the Médoc wine route and Route des Châteaux with a guided tour and tasting

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 3 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 6-night cruise onboard MS Cyrano de Bergerac
  • Five-Star service onboard from our English-speaking crew
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Eurostar Plus
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Breakfast each day, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • A superb choice of excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included
  • Optional shore excursions are not included in the price of the tour and are payable on board ship

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 all the train travel included in the price?
Yes. Vacations By Rail includes Eurostar Plus from London St. Pancras to Paris, First Class rail to Biarritz, the mountain railway excursion on Le Petit Train de la Rhune, and First Class return rail to London.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and a Cruise Director leads the six-night river cruise. They guide all included excursions and manage logistics.
What is included in the cruise portion?
The six-night cruise on MS Cyrano de Bergerac includes accommodation, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), a drinks package with dinner each evening, complimentary Wi-Fi, guided tours of Bordeaux, St. Émilion, the Médoc wine route, Rochefort, and La Rochelle.
How much free time is there?
Day 2 in Biarritz is free to explore independently. Day 5 includes free time in Bordeaux before the evening guided tour and wine-tasting.
What is the hotel accommodation?
Three nights in a four-star hotel in Biarritz before embarking on the six-night river cruise.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, six lunches, six dinners aboard the ship, a drinks package with dinner every evening of the cruise, light meals on Eurostar, and a three-course lunch during the La Rhune excursion in Ascain.

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