Bordeaux - Châteaux, Rivers & Wine

Day-To-Day Itinerary

2016 Itinerary: Direction Cadillac to Libourne

Day 1: Individual arrival or direct transfer booked from Bordeaux. Boarding at 3 pm. Optional bike ride around Cadillac, 10 mi. (15 km)
Day 2: Cadillac - Sauternes - Castets-en Dorthe round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35-50 km)
Day 3: Cadillac - Entre-Deux-Mers/Graves round trip by bike, 21-32 mi. (35-50 km) | Cadillac - Bordeaux by boat
Day 4: Heart of Bordeaux by bike, 10 mi. (15 km)
Day 5: Bordeaux to Lamarque by boat | Lamarque - Margaux (Medoc) round-trip by bike 25 mi. (40 km) | Lamarque to Bourg by boat
Day 6: Bourg - Blaye round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35-50 km) | Bourg - Libourne by boat
Day 7: Libourne - Saint Émilion & Pomerol round-trip by bike, 21 – 32 miles (35 -50 km)
Day 8: Disembarkation and transfer back to Bordeaux

*All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Individual arrival or direct transfer booked from Bordeaux. Boarding at 3 pm. Optional bike ride around Cadillac, 10 mi. (15 km)​
Individual arrival to Bordeaux or booked transfer from the train station to the mooring location of the boat in Cadillac. Embarkation begins at 3 pm. Your bikes will be presented and you may choose to enjoy a short bike ride around Cadillac or explore the small town by foot. Cadillac is located in the region of Graves, also known as the birthplace of Bordeaux wines. It is a fortified medieval village known as Bastide in the Entre-Deux-Mers wine region, located between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. In the evening, a welcome cocktail awaits you on board, followed by a tour presentation and dinner.

Day 2: Cadillac - Sauternes - Castets-en Dorthe round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35-50 km)​
After a restful night on board, you will be ready to discover by bike the Sauternais region, where sweet dessert wines are made. The route 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 Saurternes wine. The country roads are dotted with picturesque chateaux whose elegant turrets rule over an ocean of colorful vines.

Day 3: Cadillac - Entre-Deux-Mers/Graves round trip by bike, 21-32 mi. (35-50 km) | Cadillac - Bordeaux by boat
The cycling itinerary today leads through this “Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux” winegrowing area. There is opportunity to visit the former residence of the writer Francois Mauriac and the Malromé castle, house of the painter Toulouse-Lautrec, built in the sixteenth century. Wine tastings are offered here! 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.

Day 4: Heart of Bordeaux by bike, 10 mi. (15 km)
The highlight today is a visit of the city of Bordeaux where you will have the opportunity to explore the historical city the best way possible - on two wheels. Enjoy fantastic views of the old city’s waterfront during a bike ride on the new bike paths along the Garonne river. You will have the opportunity to explore some of the city’s main attractions, either by foot or by bike. Visit the Cailhau Gate, the royal entrance to the city, the Big Bell of Pey Berlan, the Golden Triangle, the Girondins column, the water mirror and Place de la Bourse. Visit historic squares, a hidden garden and quaint locations where you can stop for a tasting of Bordeaux’s renowned “canneles” and coffee or take some fresh oysters and white wine. Be sure to explore the town’s streets and shops where fine wines are still stored in underground cellars carved in stone, do some shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Rue Sainte Catherine or visit the newly opened Cite du Vin.

Day 5:  Bordeaux to Lamarque by boat | Lamarque - Margaux (Medoc) round-trip by bike 25 mi. (40 km) | Lamarque to Bourg by boat
In the morning, the ship cruises from Bordeaux to Lamarque in the Gironde estuary, to start your cycling tour in the famous Médoc wine area. Later, as you wind your way through the vineyards, you will pass some of Margaux’s best wineries including the chateau Palmer, Issan, Lewis Brown, Rauzan Segla, Ferriere, and last but not least, Chateau Margaux. You will have the opportunity to stop at one of these great wine estates for a visit or tasting (optional). In the late afternoon, the ship will cruise the wide Gironde estuary to the jetty of Bourg, a picturesque little town near the conjunction of the Gironde and Dordogne rivers. The old city center overlooks the Gironde estuary.

Day 6: Bourg - Blaye round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35-50 km) | Bourg - Libourne by boat
Today’s cycling will take you through endless vineyards, fairytale chateaux and elegant manor houses. Be enchanted by the ”douceur de vivre” (sweet life), so typical for this wine region. While the wine from this region may be lesser known than some ‘neighbors’ in the St. Emilion, Pomerol and Medoc areas, the quality of the wines produced is second to none. Since the Middle Ages, countless numbers of pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain have passed through this region. In Blaye, you may choose to take a tour of the impressive Vauban citadel to admire the military masterwork of the architect of “Sun King’ Louis XIV. Return to Bourg via the ‘Corniche’, a scenic, quiet road along the Gironde estuary where you will pass beautiful riverside homes. You will also see a partially sunken ship from WWII near the caves where French military would hide weapons and fuel. In the evening you will sail to the town of Libourne on the Dordogne river.

Day 7: Libourne - Saint Émilion & Pomerol round-trip by bike, 21 – 32 miles (35 -50 km)
Beginning in Libourne, today’s bike ride will take you through the famous Pomerol and Saint-Émilion wine areas. Pedaling the countryside, criss crossed with vines, you will enjoy the unspoiled UNESCO World Heritage landscape of medieval villages and surrounding vineyards. Following picturesque back roads and paths, you will get a glimpse of Saint Émilion's most famous châteaux and cycle past some of the world’s most famous wine estates, producers of Angelus, Ausone, Cheval Blanc, and Petrus.  A true paradise for wine lovers! In Saint Émilion, you may choose to tour an underground monolithic church, climb the King’s Tower for an incredible view of the village , or visit a winery shop for a tasting. Later in the day, you may choose to explore the town of Libourne and it’s city square, lined with buildings dating as far back as the 16th century or enjoy the many cafes and pedestrian-only shopping street Rue Gambetta.

Day 8: Disembarkation and transfer back to Bordeaux
Disembarkation and (optional) transfer back to Bordeaux After your final breakfast on board, it will be time for a return transfer (optional) to the pre-agreed drop off point in the city center of Bordeaux. Disembarkation around 09:00 AM.

2016 Itinerary: Direction Libourne to Cadillac

Day 1: Individual arrival or direct transfer booked from Bordeaux. Boarding at 3 pm. Optional bike ride around Libourne, 7-10 mi. (10-15 km)
Day 2: Libourne - Saint Émilion & Pomerol round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35 - 50 km) | Libourne - Bourg, by boat
Day 3: Bourg -  Blaye round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35 - 50 km)
Day 4: Bourg - Lamarque by boat | Lamarque - Medoc round-trip by bike,  25 mi (40 km) | Lamarque - Bordeaux by boat
Day 5: Heart of Bordeaux by bike, 10 mi. (15 km) | Bordeaux - Cadillac by boat
Day 6: Cadillac -Entre-Deux-Mers/Graves round-trip by bike, 21-32 mi. (35-50 km)
Day 7: Cadillac - Sauternes round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35 - 50 km)
Day 8: Disembarkation and transfer back to Bordeaux

Day 1: Individual arrival or direct transfer booked from Bordeaux. Boarding at 3 pm. Optional bike ride around Libourne, 7-10 mi. (10-15 km)​
Individual arrival or booked transfer from the train station in Bordeaux to the mooring location of the boat in Libourne on the Dordogne river.  Embarkation begins at 3 pm. Your bikes will be presented and you may choose to enjoy a short bike ride around Libourne or explore the town by foot. Discover the picturesque city square, lined with buildings dating as far back as the 16th century and enjoy the many cafes or the pedestrian-only shopping street Rue Gambetta. In the evening, a welcome cocktail awaits you on board, followed by a tour presentation and dinner.

Day 2: Libourne - Saint Émilion & Pomerol round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35 - 50 km) | Libourne - Bourg, by boat
Beginning in Libourne, today’s bike ride will take you through the famous Pomerol and Saint-Émilion wine areas. Pedaling the countryside, criss crossed with vines, you will enjoy the unspoiled UNESCO World Heritage landscape of medieval villages and surrounding vineyards. Following picturesque back roads and paths, you will get a glimpse of Saint Émilion's most famous châteaux and cycle past some of the world’s most famous wine estates, producers of Angelus, Ausone, Cheval Blanc, and Petrus.  A true paradise for wine lovers! In Saint Émilion, you may choose to tour an underground monolithic church, climb the King’s Tower for an incredible view of the village , or visit a winery shop for a tasting. In the evening, on board, enjoy a cruise to the jetty of Bourg, at the conjunction of the Dordogne and the Garonne rivers into the Gironde estuary.

Day 3: Bourg -  Blaye round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35 - 50 km)​
Today’s cycling will take you through endless vineyards, fairytale chateaux and elegant manor houses. Be enchanted by the ”douceur de vivre” (sweet life), so typical for this wine region. While the wine from this region may be lesser known than some ‘neighbors’ in the St. Emilion, Pomerol and Medoc areas, the quality of the wines produced is second to none. Since the Middle Ages, countless numbers of pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain have passed through this region. In Blaye, you may choose to take a tour of the impressive Vauban citadel to admire the military masterwork of the architect of “Sun King’ Louis XIV. Return to Bourg via the ‘Corniche’, a scenic, quiet road along the Gironde estuary where you will pass beautiful riverside homes. You will also see a partially sunken ship from WWII near the caves where French military would hide weapons and fuel.

Day 4: Bourg - Lamarque by boat | Lamarque - Medoc round-trip by bike,  25 mi (40 km) | Lamarque - Bordeaux by boat
In the morning, you will enjoy breakfast while sailing the wide Gironde estuary to the jetty of Lamarque. Later, as you wind your way through the vineyards, you will pass some of Margaux’s best wineries including the chateau Palmer, Issan, Lewis Brown, Rauzan Segla, Ferriere, and last but not least, Chateau Margaux. You will have the opportunity to stop at one of these great wine estates for a visit or tasting (optional). In the late afternoon, the MS Bordeaux will sail along the Garonne River towards the enchanting city of Bordeaux. The ship will berth for the night in the city center where you will see the region’s most prestigious panorama: the Stone Bridge, Place de la Bourse and Quai des Chartrons.

Day 5: Heart of Bordeaux by bike, 10 mi. (15 km) | Bordeaux - Cadillac by boat
The highlight today is a visit of the city of Bordeaux where you will have the opportunity to explore the historical city the best way possible - on two wheels. Enjoy fantastic views of the old city’s waterfront during a bike ride on the new bike paths along the Garonne river. You will have the opportunity to explore some of the city’s main attractions, either by foot or by bike. Visit the Cailhau Gate, the royal entrance to the city, the Big Bell of Pey Berlan, the Golden Triangle, the Girondins column, the water mirror and Place de la Bourse. Visit historic squares, a hidden garden and quaint locations where you can stop for a tasting of Bordeaux’s renowned “canneles” and coffee or take some fresh oysters and white wine. Be sure to explore the town’s streets and shops where fine wines are still stored in underground cellars carved in stone, do some shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Rue Sainte Catherine or visit the newly opened Cite du Vin. After dinner, the boat will depart, passing under the Stone Bridge and along the Garonne to the picturesque town of Cadillac.

Day 6: Cadillac -Entre-Deux-Mers/Graves round-trip by bike, 21-32 mi. (35-50 km)
Cadillac is located in the region of Graves, also called the birthplace of Bordeaux Wines. It is a fortified medieval village known as a Bastide in the Entre-Deux-Mers wine region in between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. The cycling itinerary today leads through this “Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux” winegrowing area. There is opportunity to visit the former residence of the writer Francois Mauriac and the Malromé castle, house of the painter Toulouse-Lautrec, built in the sixteenth century.

Day 7: Cadillac - Sauternes round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35 - 50 km)
After a restful night on board, you will be ready to discover by bike the Sauternais region, where sweet dessert wines are made. The route 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. The country roads are dotted with picturesque chateaux whose elegant turrets rule over an ocean of colorful vines. Time seems frozen in the medieval era when Englishmen ruled the region.

Day 8 (Sat): Disembarkation and transfer back to Bordeaux
Disembarkation and (optional) transfer back to Bordeaux. After your final breakfast on board, it will be time for a return transfer (optional) to the pre-agreed drop off point in the city center of Bordeaux. Disembarkation around 9:00 AM.

**Important**: The Garonne, Gironde and Dordogne Rivers are part of a tidal river system that results in changing water levels (daily changes of up to 6 meters / 20 ft.) in the region. Every effort is made to follow the scheduled itinerary, however, based on tides it may be ammended or modified as required. 

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• Bordeaux - Châteaux, Rivers & Wine
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