Boat and bike cycling holiday around Bordeaux – France

Remark : This trip is changing direction weekly during high season. You will either go from Castets-en-Dorthe to Libourne or the other way around.

Day 1: Castets-en Dorthe – Around the ‘Canal des Deux Mers” -15 km

Arrival in Bordeaux, in Aquitaine, and if you like bus transfer from Bordeaux train station at 14h00 to the ship at Castets en Dorthe. We help you with your luggage, and show you your cabin. Afterwards, you can take over your bike and start your first small trip in Castets. This fruitful region is also called ‘Little Holland’, due to its many vegetable fields and fruit gardens. During your welcome drink, you will get to know the ship team and the other guests. At dinner, you may be able to have first conversations with other travelers. You will sit at big tables, and it is possible to switch places on a daily basis.

Day 2: Round trip Castets-en-Dorthe – Saint Macaire – La Réole – Canal de la Garonne - 30 to 50 km

Cruise from Castets en Dorthe to Loupiac

After a restful night on board, the first town you will discover by bike is the lovely Saint Macaire and its wonderfull gate and walls. There is opportunity to visit the former residence of the writer Francois Mauriac as well as having your first wine tasting at a château. Riding along korn and sunflower fields you reach La Réole, using an Eiffel style bridge over the river Garonne. This town is famous because in 1190 Richard Lionheart, on his way to the holy Land, gave the town hall building to thank the locals for their loyalty to the English crown. This historical place holds two castles, an impressive church as well as narrow cobbelstoned streets. To end the day you will enjoy the bike path along the « canal de la Garonne » and its deep blue water, built in Napoleon times. You can either go directly back to the ship or ride to Meilhan-sur-Garonne and the amazing scenery it has to offer.

Day 3: Round trip Loupiac – Graves – Sauternes – Cadillac - 50 km

Cruise from Loupiac to Bordeaux

Today we will discover the Sauternes region, where sweet dessert wines are made. We start by enjoying the view from Sainte-Croix du Mont before having a look at the grave of painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Then the backroad follows the winding banks of the Ciron River, whose icy waters flow into the warmer waters of the Garonne. In the autumn, when the climate is warm and dry, the combination of the two different temperatures produce the mist that descends on the vineyards, promoting the perfect conditions for the famous Sauternes wine. You will pass the famous vineyards of  Grands Crus like Château d’Yquem, Château Guiraud, Clos Haut Peyraguey, and many more. Wine tastings are offered here! You'll learn a lot about appellations, white wines process, winemaking, grape varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Malbec or Cabernet Franc.
Cadillac is located in the region of Graves, also known as the birthplace of Bordeaux wines. It is a fortified medieval village known as the Bastide in the Entre-Deux-Mers wine region in between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers.
Once back on board, you will travel along the Garonne River towards the enchanting city of Bordeaux,
reaching the passage of the Stone Bridge and the pier in the city center, facing the region's most prestigious panorama : the Stone Bridge, Place de la Bourse and Quai des Chartrons.

Day 4: Tour through Bordeaux – UNESCO - 10 to 50 km

Docked in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a UNESCO world heritage for a reason. The list of buildings, place and hidden gems is worth seeing : Walk into the city via La Porte Cailhau, the royal entrance. We suggest a thorough tour: Bordeaux is a City that doesn’t just glow due to its individual buildings, but through the grandiose well preserved old city. Worth seeing is the Capuchine Market (perhaps with tastings of wine and oysters), the basilica, the Pont de Pierre, the first bridge of the city, which was built back in the day on Napoleons orders. You may admire the many squares and old train trollies. In and around Bordeaux are many opportunities for sightseeing and shopping.

Day 5: Round trip Margaux – Médoc - 45 km

Cruise from Bordeaux to Lamarque, then from Lamarque to Bourg

Today we arrive in one of the most famous french wine regions of the world where we prodcuce only red wines appellation, the left bank of Bordeaux : the Médoc. Quickly you will get to the Château Lamothe Bergeron. Tourism and wineries are developing around here. The most famous vineyards are: :
Maucaillou, Poujeaux Rauzan Ségla Palmer, Issan, Priorat Lichine, Kirwan and the Château Margaux who is classified first growth 1855. They offer many opportunities for a stop, with or without wine tasting. You also have the opportunity to extend today’s trip to Margaux, the "Grand cru" area. You will pass by many vineyards, Chateaux Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Lynch-Bages, Cos d’Estournel, Pontet Canet, Pichon Longueville and other classified Grands Crus Lagen.
A romantic route will be traveled in the evening on the ship We will move further to Bourg sur Gironde.

Day 6: The vineyads of Côtes de Bourg – Citadel of Blaye - 37 km

Cruise from Bourg to Libourne / Fronsac

This part of the trip offers views on endless vineyards, garnished with many castles. Beautiful and romantic is the church of Bayon. You have the opportunity to visit some of the castles in the area, such as Tayac, Eyquem Monconseil-Gazin, Marquis de Vauban or others. At the corner of the beautiful, quiet Corniche Street, which leads along the mouth of the river, lies the ruin of the gallo-roman villa in Plassac.
You soon will reach the Citadel of Blaye, also an UNESCO world heritage. Take your time for a tour. Back in Bourg, you may enjoy another small trip through the city and look forward to the sundowner on board of the ship. In the evening, the ship will sail to Libourne Fronsac.

Day 7: Round trip of the wineyards of Libourne and Saint-Emilion - 25 to -45 km

Docked in Libourne

At the beginning of today’s roundtrip, you will discover the small town of Libourne, as well as the famous vineyards of Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. You should take your time in St-Emilion. The medieval village is also a UNESCO world heritage. Enjoy the amazing view of the medieval streets and surrounding vineyards. Visit the monolithic church and indulge in the small town flair with its wonderful bistros and restaurants.
Your trip will continue to scenic country roads, where you will have a nice overview of many well known chateaux of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. Angelus, Beausejour, Ausone, Cheval Blanc, Dominica, Trottevieille, Gaubert, Barde-Haut Clos La Madeleine, Bel Air Monange Laroque, Fombrauge Grand Corbin, Gazin, Petrus, a small village, Nenin ... Here are growing some of the most famous wines of the world. A real paradise for wine lovers and winemakers. Your ship will wait for you at the end of the day, at the dock of Libourne.

Day 8: Departure from Libourne

Transfer back to Bordeaux (optional) after your last breakfast on board, it is time to say goodbye. Around 9am you will take the bus back to the train station of St Jean in Bordeaux for 10h00.

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