Bordeaux - Châteaux, Rivers & Wine
France Bike + Barge Tours
A bike and boat tour in the Bordeaux.
The region of Bordeaux, located in sun-drenched, south-west France is the perfect setting for a bike and boat tour. Set at the confluence of the Garonne River and the Gironde estuary, it is one of the most prolific and famous wine growing regions in the world. Caressed by Atlantic breezes, the vineyards that cover the rolling hills of the region have for centuries produced France’s most remarkable wines. Appellations such as Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Sauternes, Médoc and Margaux have made Bordeaux wines world famous.
At the region’s heart, is the cultural center, the city of Bordeaux. Once known as the Sleeping Beauty, it stretches along the riverbanks, inviting visitors to savor its grand architecture, tempting cafés, and superb museums. This city sleeps no more! Cruise the French Rivers and bike through vineyards on carefully chosen routes and experience the French Joie de Vivre!
On board you will discover a wide variety of excellent local wines to enjoy during dinner or simply to sample at your leisure. The region's distinct cuisine will featured, prepared with the freshest ingredients.
Highlights:
- Cycle through the world famous Bordeaux wine area
- Historic and cultural Unesco World Heritage Sites
- Sampling of different varieties of Bordeaux Wine
- Architectural gems
Come on board! Sip local wine, sample French cuisine, cycle immersed in culture, and like the French, slow down and savor the good things in life; food, wine, and biking!
Watch a tour preview!
Be sure to view a complete list of bike and barge tours in France.
2017 Prices
Low Season Mid Season High Season Twin cabin/lower deck £ 1042 $ 1,641 € 1094 NOK 10940 kr 10098 $ 1,313 £ 1137 $ 1,791 € 1194 NOK 11940 kr 11022 $ 1,433 £ 1280 $ 2,016 € 1344 NOK 13440 kr 12406 $ 1,613 Twin cabin/upper deck £ 1185 $ 1,866 € 1244 NOK 12440 kr 11483 $ 1,493 £ 1280 $ 2,016 € 1344 NOK 13440 kr 12406 $ 1,613 £ 1423 $ 2,241 € 1494 NOK 14940 kr 13791 $ 1,793 Single use lower deck £ 1328 $ 2,091 € 1394 NOK 13940 kr 12868 $ 1,673 £ 1423 $ 2,241 € 1494 NOK 14940 kr 13791 $ 1,793 £ 1613 $ 2,541 € 1694 NOK 16940 kr 15637 $ 2,033 Single cabin upper deck £ 1375 $ 2,166 € 1444 NOK 14440 kr 13329 $ 1,733 £ 1518 $ 2,391 € 1594 NOK 15940 kr 14714 $ 1,913 £ 1661 $ 2,616 € 1744 NOK 17440 kr 16098 $ 2,093 Junior suite lower deck £ 1328 $ 2,091 € 1394 NOK 13940 kr 12868 $ 1,673 £ 1423 $ 2,241 € 1494 NOK 14940 kr 13791 $ 1,793 £ 1566 $ 2,466 € 1644 NOK 16440 kr 15175 $ 1,973 A group discount is being offered on all departures. For groups of more than 10, one person travels free, equivalent to lower deck twin cabin pricing. Single supplement will still apply. These offers are not retroactive.
2018 Prices
Low Season
April 28
Mid Season
May 5, 12, Oct 13
High Season
May 19-Oct 6
Twin Cabin, Lower Deck £ 1090 $ 1,716 € 1144 NOK 11440 kr 10560 $ 1,373 £ 1185 $ 1,866 € 1244 NOK 12440 kr 11483 $ 1,493 £ 1328 $ 2,091 € 1394 NOK 13940 kr 12868 $ 1,673 Twin Cabin, Upper Deck £ 1232 $ 1,941 € 1294 NOK 12940 kr 11945 $ 1,553 £ 1328 $ 2,091 € 1394 NOK 13940 kr 12868 $ 1,673 £ 1470 $ 2,316 € 1544 NOK 15440 kr 14252 $ 1,853 Single Use Twin, Lower Deck £ 1375 $ 2,166 € 1444 NOK 14440 kr 13329 $ 1,733 £ 1470 $ 2,316 € 1544 NOK 15440 kr 14252 $ 1,853 £ 1661 $ 2,616 € 1744 NOK 17440 kr 16098 $ 2,093 Single Cabin, Upper Deck £ 1423 $ 2,241 € 1494 NOK 14940 kr 13791 $ 1,793 £ 1518 $ 2,391 € 1594 NOK 15940 kr 14714 $ 1,913 £ 1709 $ 2,691 € 1794 NOK 17940 kr 16560 $ 2,153 Junior Suite, Lower Deck £ 1375 $ 2,166 € 1444 NOK 14440 kr 13329 $ 1,733 £ 1470 $ 2,316 € 1544 NOK 15440 kr 14252 $ 1,853 £ 1613 $ 2,541 € 1694 NOK 16940 kr 15637 $ 2,033 extra options
2017
Guided Option: £ 190 $ 300 € 200 NOK 2000 kr 1846 $ 240
Electric bike: £ 86 $ 135 € 90 NOK 900 kr 831 $ 108
Bicycle protection
Hybrid bike: £ 10 $ 15 € 10 NOK 100 kr 92 $ 12
Electric bike: £ 19 $ 30 € 20 NOK 200 kr 185 $ 24
Bus transfers
Round-Trip: £ 48 $ 75 € 50 NOK 500 kr 462 $ 60
One-way: £ 24 $ 38 € 25 NOK 250 kr 231 $ 30
Children discount: Children 15 and under pay half of tour cost with at least 1 full paying adult. Offer applies to departures in July and August. Applies only to cabin price.
Gluten free or dairy free meals, payable on board: £ 48 $ 75 € 50 NOK 500 kr 462 $ 60
2018
Guided Option: £ 114 $ 180 € 120 NOK 1200 kr 1108 $ 144
E-Bike: £ 86 $ 135 € 90 NOK 900 kr 831 $ 108
Bicycle Protection
Hybrid Bike: £ 10 $ 15 € 10 NOK 100 kr 92 $ 12
E-Bike: £ 19 $ 30 € 20 NOK 200 kr 185 $ 24
Special Diet Request (GF, Dairy free), payable on board: £ 48 $ 75 € 50 NOK 500 kr 462 $ 60
please note
In France, it is NOT mandatory to wear a helmet. However, we always advised to bring your own helmet for proper fit and safety. There will be a limited number available on board. They should be booked in advance.
Rates are based on double occupancy.
Information to read before you book.
Tour Dates
2017 Dates
Castets-en-Dorthe to Libourne
High Season: August 26, September 9, September 23, October 7, 2017
Libourne to Castets-en-Dorthe
Mid Season: October 14, 2017
High Season: September 2, September 16, Septembr 30, 2017
Group Discounts - offered on all departures. For groups of more than 10, one person travels free, equivalent to lower deck twin cabin pricing. Single supplement will still apply. These offers are not retroactive.
TRANSFERS: Optional bus transfer can be booked one-way or round-trip for a supplement, see pricing. Arrival Day (Day 1): transfer meets at 2pm at Gare Ste Jean Train Station in Bordeaux and takes you directly to the boat. Departure Day (Day 8): transfer will bring you back to Gare St Jean Train Station around 10am. Booking the transfers is highly recommended, especially to/from Castets-en-Dorthe. For 2018, the round-trip transfers are included in the tour package.
2018 Dates
Castets-en-Dorthe to Libourne
Low Season: April 28, 2018
Mid Season: May 12 and October 13, 2018
High Season: May 26, June 9, June 23, July 7, July 21, August 4, August 18, September 1, September 15, September 29
Libourne to Castets-en-Dorthe
Mid Season: May 5, 2018
High Season: May 19, June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, August 11, August 28, September 8, September 22, October 6, 2018
Skill Level
This tour is rated easy to moderate with daily cycling distances from 30 to 50 km (18 - 32 miles). The terrain is relatively flat with short climbs out of the river valleys onto the intervening vineyard area. Cycling tours in the basic package are semi-guided in that the tour leader provides daily briefings of the tour and participants cycle individually at their own pace with bicycle maps and route directions.The tour leader will be cycling all tours as well and can be reached on her/his mobile phone in case of questions or problems.
Where You’ll Stay
On board the comfort plus vessel, the Bordeaux.
What’s Included
- 2017:
- Accommodations on board for 7 nights
- Welcome drink and tour briefing
- 7 x breakfast, 6 x self packed lunches, 7 x three course dinners
- Coffee and tea on board until 4 pm
- Daily cabin cleaning (change of towels on request)
- Daily bike tour briefing
- Cycling guide for those who want to cycle with guide (surcharge applies, advanced reservations required)
- Maps and tour information, one set per cabin
- GPS tracks available
- 21 gear hybrid bike rental including panniers and map holder
- Harbor and lock fees
- Tour guide that gives daily briefings and is available by cell phone in case of emergency
- 2018:
- Accommodations on board for 7 nights
- Round-Trip Bus Transfers from Bordeaux train station to docking location and reverse on arrival/departure days
- 21-gear hybrid bike rental including panniers and map holder
- 7 x Breakfasts, 6 x Self-packed Lunches, 7 x Three-Course Dinners
- Maps and tour information, one set per cabin
- Tour Leader that gives daily route briefings on board and is available by cell phone in case of emergency
- Harbor and lock fees
- Coffee and tea on board until 4 pm
- Daily cabin cleaning (change of towels on request)
- Welcome drink and presentation
- GPS tracks available on request for pre-download to your own device
What’s Not Included
- 2017
- Guided Tour Option: €200 per person (advance reservation required)
- Wine tasting on board: On the first or second night of the tour, there will be a special presentation on the wine regions of Bordeaux and an optional tasting of 6 wines will be offered for €7,50.
- Beverages: The boat will have a large selection of wine from the various regions available for purchase by the glass or by the bottle. If you purchase wine off the boat and wish to drink it on board, there is a corkage fee of €12,50. Wine is allowed in the lounge, restaurant, and on deck. Wine is NOT allowed in cabins.
- Gratuities
- Optional Transfer - can be booked one-way or round-trip for a supplement
- Bicycle protection (optional - €10/hybrid bike, €20/ebike)
- Helmets (adult) available upon request. Child helmets are not available on board - French law now mandates that children under the age of 12 must wear helmets!
- Trip insurance
- 2018
- Guided Tour Option: €120 per person (advance reservation required)
- GPS Device with downloaded tracks: €15, payable on board
- Wine tasting on board: On the first or second night of the tour, there will be a special presentation on the wine regions of Bordeaux and an optional tasting of 6 wines will be offered for €7,50.
- Beverages: The boat will have a large selection of wine from the various regions available for purchase by the glass or by the bottle. If you purchase wine off the boat and wish to drink it on board, there is a corkage fee of €12,50. Wine is allowed in the lounge, restaurant, and on deck. Wine is NOT allowed in cabins.
- Helmets (adult) available upon request. Child helmets are not available on board - French law now mandates that children under the age of 12 must wear helmets!
- Entrance fees, excursions, wine tastings
- Gratuities
- Bicycle Protection
- Trip insurance
| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Both |
| Skill | Easy–Moderate |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €1234 Rates |
| Client Reviews |
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Tour Boats
Day-To-Day Itinerary
2017 Itinerary: Direction Castets-en-Dorthe to Libourne
2018 Itinerary is the same except transfers on arrival and departure day are included in the tour package and will bring you to/from the boat
Day 1 (Saturday): Individual arrival in Castets-en-Dorthe or direct transfer booked from Bordeaux. Boarding at 3 pm.
Day 2 (Sunday): Castets - Sauternes round-trip by bike, 21-32 mi. (35-50 km) | Castets - Cadillac by boat
Day 3 (Monday): Cadillac - Entre-Deux-Mers/Graves round-trip by bike, 21-32 mi. (35-50 km) | Cadillac - Bordeaux by boat
Day 4 (Tuesday): Heart of Bordeaux by bike, 10 mi. (15 km)
Day 5 (Wednesday): Bordeaux to Lamarque by boat | Lamarque - Margaux (Medoc) round-trip by bike 25 mi. (40 km) | Lamarque to Bourg by boat
Day 6 (Thursday): Bourg - Blaye round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35-50 km) | Bourg - Libourne by boat
Day 7 (Friday): Libourne - Saint Émilion & Pomerol round-trip by bike, 21 – 32 miles (35 -50 km)
Day 8 (Saturday): Disembarkation in Libourne and transfer back to Bordeaux
*All distances are approximate.
Day 1 (Saturday): Individual arrival in Castets-en-Dorthe or direct transfer booked from Bordeaux. Boarding at 3 pm. Optional bike ride around Canal des Deux Mers.
Individual arrival to Castets-en-Dorthe or booked transfer from the Gare St. Jean train station in Bordeaux to the mooring location of the boat near the Canal des Deux Mers at Castets-en-Dorthe, located in the middle of the Garonne Valley. Embarkation begins at 3 pm. Your bikes will be delivered and you may choose to enjoy a short bike ride around Castets, exploring this flat and fertile region, aptly named "Little Holland" with its walnut trees, kiwi orchards and vegetable fields. Following the bike path along the Canal des Deux Mers (Canal of Two Seas) that links the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, you will discover this lush rural countryside. In the evening, a welcome cocktail awaits you on board, followed by a tour presentation and dinner.
Day 2 (Sunday): Castets-en-Dorthe - Sauternes round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35-50 km) | Castets-en-Dorthe to Cadillac by boat
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. Time seems frozen in the medieval era when Englishmen ruled the region. In the late afternoon back on board, the tour continues by boat, heading downstream along the Garonne River to reach Cadillac, a small town with a towering castle.
Day 3 (Monday): Cadillac - Entre-Deux-Mers/Graves round trip by bike, 25 mi. (40 km) | Cadillac to Bordeaux by boat
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. 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, facing the region's most prestigious panorama: the Stone Bridge, Place de la Bourse and Quai des Chartrons.
Day 4 (Tuesday): Bordeaux, 10 mi. (15 km)
The guide will propose a city tour of Bordeaux to discover its architectural gems on two wheels. The short cycling tour, mainly on the new bike paths along the Garonne river, offers beautiful panoramic views of the waterfront city. In the afternoon, enjoy the UNESCO sites of Bordeaux during a walking or cycling tour. Its main attractions are the Cailhau Gate (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 (Wednesday): Bordeaux to Lamarque by boat | Lamarque - Margaux (Médoc) 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 can stop at one of these great wine estates for a visit or tasting (optional) and learn everything about classifications before returning to the boat. 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 (Thursday): Bourg - Blaye Fortress and vineyards round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35-50 km) | Bourg to 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 cycle through or choose to take a tour of the impressive Vauban Fortress citadel (UNESCO World Heritage Site) 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 (Friday): 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, a true highligt of the week, 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 (Saturday): Disembarkation in Libourne and transfer back to Bordeaux
Disembarkation after breakfast. For those that booked the transfer back to Gare St Jean train station, departure is at 9am, arrival in Bordeaux around 10am.
2017 Itinerary: Direction Libourne to Castets-en-Dorthe
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 to 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, a true highlight of the week, 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 and Fortress 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 Fortress citadel (UNESCO World Heritage Site) 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 to Lamarque by boat | Lamarque - Margaux (Médoc) round-trip by bike, 25 mi (40 km) | Lamarque to Bordeaux by boat
In the morning, you will enjoy breakfast while sailing the wide Gironde estuary to the jetty of Lamarque. Later, as you bike 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: Bordeaux’s heart by bike| Bordeaux- Cadillac by boat
The guide will propose a city tour of Bordeaux to discover its architectural gems on two wheels. The short cycling tour, mainly on the new bike paths along the Garonne River, offers beautiful panoramic views of the waterfront city. In the afternoon, enjoy the UNESCO sites of Bordeaux during a walking or cycling tour. Its main attractions are the Cailhau Gate (royal entrance to the city), the Big Bell of Pey Berlan, and 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 “cannels” 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 cruise along the Garonne River to Cadillac.
Day 6: Cadillac - Sauternes round-trip by bike, 21 - 32 mi. (35 - 50 km) | Cadillac to Castets-en-Dorthe by boat
After a restful night on board, you begin your day in Cadillac, a fortified medieval village known as the Bastide in the Entre-Deux-Mers wine region in between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Today, you will 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. In the evening, cruise further upsteam to the scenic village of Castets-en-Dorthe, the end of the navigable part of the Garonne River.
Day 7: Castets-en-Dorthe - Entre-Deux-Mers/Graves round-trip by bike, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today's cycling itinerary takes you through the “Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux” winegrowing area on the northern bank of the Garonne river, widely recognized as the birthplace of Bordeaux wines. You will have the opportunity to visit the former residence of the writer Francois Mauriac and the Malromé castle, home of the painter Toulouse-Lautrec, built in the sixteenth century. Wine tastings are offered here! Your last dinner on board is in Castets-en-Dorthe.
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 Gare St Jean train station in Bordeaux. Disembarkation around 9:00 AM, arrival in Bordeaux around 10am.
**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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Pricing Information
Travel Details
Travel
Fly to Paris CDG International Airport or Bordeaux International Airport. Easyjet now offers low cost flights to/from the airport Bordeaux Merignac.
Local Travel
From CDG in Paris, one option is to take the TGV train direct to Bordeaux. There are trains that run throughout the day. Schedules and pricing can be found on the TGV/SNCF website. This is a 4.5 hour journey. If you fly to Bordeaux International Airport, the city is easily accessible via shuttle or bus. The airport shuttle will take you to Gare St Jean train station in 30 minutes for around €7.There is a collective round-trip transfer to/from the barge available for a supplement from the Gare St Jean Train Station in the center of Bordeaux. Transfer will occur at 2 pm on arrival day. On departure day, the transfer will leave the barge at 9am and arrive at Gare St Jean around 10am. For 2018, the round-trip transfers are included in the tour package.
Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. A good web site to use to research regional weather conditions is weatherbase.com. Here you will find average high/low temperatures and average rainfall as well.
Remarks
In France, it is not mandatory for adults to wear a helmet, however, we strongly recommend bringing your own helmet for proper fit and safety. There will be a limited number available on board. They should be requested in advance. French law now mandates that children under the age of 12 must wear a helmet. Children helmets are NOT available on board, you must bring your own.
Tour Operator
This tour is operated by PB Aquitaine Cruises. We do not run these tours ourselves, we never have. We work from the commission the European tour operators offer us plus a small administration fee of €20. We pride ourselves on the strong working relationship we have with all our tour operators and the services we provide. More
Bordeaux - Châteaux, Rivers & Wine Boats + Barges
Bordeaux France Comfort Plus Class Boat The Bordeaux is 78 meters (256 ft.) long and 10 meters (33 ft.) wide and can accommodate max. 96 guests. The vessel is under experienced French management. In the front part of the ship is the tastefully furnished salon/lounge with a nice bar and a small dance floor, large panoramic windows all around, and a separate restaurant. The sun deck has a large sunroof, chairs and tables & cycle shed (aft deck).
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Customer Feedback
Karry & Brent M. 2 months ago
Besides the beautiful scenery, the staff on the boat were so friendly and helpful. They worked as a team, and the relationship with the guests was wonderful. We made many new friends, and had such a good time. Leaving, we had tears in our eyes. We loved the wineries and tasting many new wines. Although we understand the purpose of corkage fees, we thought they were too high, as we came back with one or two new ones every day! Loved the trip!
Boat: Bordeaux
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Vivian C. 2 months ago
The routing in Bordeaux was great. Amazing scenery, passing through little towns and managing our way through a city or two made for an amazing adventure. One day I had a big problem with my bike and with a phone call I had a young man show up and fix it. He was my hero.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Lori C. 2 months ago
Loved the beauty of the rolling hills, vineyards and chateaus. Due to the hills, I would rate 2 of the days more moderate to difficult, leaning more to moderate. The maps and booklets are hard to follow, definitely have 1 person in your group get the GPS, it should be mandatory with all the turns. There is only a deposit required.
The staff were attentive, hard working and fun! The food was exceptional. We highly recommend this tour!
Boat: Bordeaux
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Jim S. 3 months ago
The scenery , chateaus and winery were beautiful.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Nancy P. 8 months ago
We had a very enjoyable trip with beautiful scenery, good rides and pretty good weather most of the time. The Route maps and detailed instructions could be improved upon. There were several mistakes on which way to turn as well as confusing instructions. Luckily, we had GPS with us to help out in various situations.
The food was very tasty, esp. the dinners. Great young chef.
One thing which bothered us was that we were told not to bring any wine aboard the boat - we were to only purchase wine that was available on the boat via the token machine. Odd, since we were traveling and bicycling in Bordeaux WINE country, visiting chateaus daily!! We think that there should be another arrangement in that area. It's apparently a financial situation although it was explained that they didn't want wine spills in the cabin. A damage deposit could be arranged if that's really the issue.
Otherwise, the staff, bikes and experience was great. This was our 3rd Bike/Barge trip with TripSite. Gladly recommend it often to others. We especially enjoyed St. Emilion (tour of monolithic church was amazing!) and riding to/from Blaye and touring the Citadel.
Boat: Bordeaux
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wendy 6 months ago
Thanks so much for your feedback Nancy, it is so helpful to us and others interested in the tour! For the 2017 season, all routes, maps, descriptions and presentations are being redone and will be much improved! The wine policy has also been updated and clients will be able to drink wine on board in the lounge, restaurant and on deck, but not in the cabins. Clients will also, with a corkage fee, be able to drink their own wine purchased off the boat. St. Emilion and the citadel in Blaye were the highlights for me as well, so glad you enjoyed it!
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Pat R. 9 months ago
Would have liked more time biking. 2 days had less than 10 miles. We were in the guided group and were told the group would decide how much to bike on those days-we were never asked as a group-the guide decided himself we would do the shorter distance. Barge "purser"-a woman-not very friendly or helpful or available. Trip booked as a Bordeaux start and end, but the location of start and end of trip changed and we had to pay extra to get ourselves to Cadillac and back to Bordeaux from Libourne. The boat company should have provided that transfer free of charge. The 2 wine tasting charges should have been included in the trip charge. The boat charged 20 euros for a bottle of wine in the wine country of Bordeaux and we were not allowed to bring on any wine from the outside. You could buy a nice bottle of wine for less than $10.00 in town. Disappointed that we had twin beds-expected a double in the suite room.
Boat: Bordeaux
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wendy 6 months ago
Thank you for your feedback Pat! I am sorry for any confusion regarding the stop and start locations of the tour. On the tour page, it was always listed as Libourne and Castets-en-Dorthe, the only thing that had changed was that the dock in Castets was not completed and the boat would be docking in Cadillac instead. For the majority of tours, clients are responsible for individual travel to the barge locations so the offer of the bus transfers for this tour is extremely helpful and does save clients time and money. Also, the wine policy has been updated for the 2017 season and clients will be able to enjoy their own wine on board, paying a corkage fee, which is common on many boats. Information and pictures of the cabins is always posted on the boat page which is important to check out, I am sorry for any misunderstanding you had regarding the beds.
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Deborah O. 10 months ago
Barge, service, guide, food, comfort, weather and on and on...all great.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Joyce K. 10 months ago
We really enjoyed the trip but the self-guided instructions could have been better. We relied on Google maps more than we should have had to; would have been quite lost without it.
We were a very small group and we all got along very well and became friends throughout the week.
Boat: Bordeaux
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wendy 6 months ago
Thanks for you feedback Joyce! For the 2017 season, all routes, maps and descriptions have been redone which will greatly help those doing the self-guided option. So glad you made some new friends, a great perk to a bike and boat tour!
Boat: Bordeaux
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Richard A. 10 months ago
My companion and I broke from the main group and visited a small vineyard and were given a complete tour including a tasting by the owner
Boat: Bordeaux
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Lisa S. 10 months ago
I would rather recommend a trip to Germany or the Netherlands, but that's just my preference. The staff on the Bourdeaux was very nice.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Patsy V. 10 months ago
I would recommend the trip if the operator makes improvements to the selfguided route finding; the narrative, GPS, and detail maps were inconsistent with each other and recommended routes were sometimes difficult to find. We had large area maps that allowed us to navigate and a crew member who helped but especially during the first couple days it was a bit challenging. The route narrative should include more information on sites to visit or note along the way. The bikes were heavy in comparison to other trips we have booked.
I really enjoyed the scenery and sites; it is a lovely area to visit and bike, especially during late September. Grapes were cascading from the vines, just pre-harvest. The vineyards, wine tasting,chateaux, churches, fortresses, medieval towns, history and landscapes were wonderful along the routes. Experiencing the tidal surf (the mascaret) was also quite interesting.
Boat: Bordeaux
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wendy 6 months ago
Hi Patsy,
Thank you for your feedback! All routes, maps, descriptions and biking presentations have been completely revamped for the 2017 season and we expect those improvements to fix any issues that occurred last season.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Barb M. 10 months ago
Lovely being in the area at this time near harvest but the routes, route preparation in the evening and historical information that might enhance the experience were severely lacking. The GPS devices were difficult to work with and virtually no help was given as to how to correctly operate them.
Boat: Bordeaux
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carla 7 months ago
Thanks for your feedback, Barb. We agree! We have totally redone our routes, descriptions, and presentations for 2017. They have been prepared by professional local guides and we do not anticipate any problems for the upcoming season.
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Annette A. 10 months ago
It was a fun week celebrating my birthday in the heart of Bordeaux with ten friends!
Boat: Bordeaux
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Richard M. 10 months ago
It was fun. I would recommend more bike trails away from the highways. The drivers were very courteous but we did not like riding on the side of highways. It felt dangerous and there was smell of exhaust.
Also, the charge for wine was at least double of what it should have been.
Boat: Bordeaux
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wendy 6 months ago
Hi Richard, thanks for your feedback! We agree and that's why for the 2017 season, all routes, maps, and descriptions have been completely re-worked to provide a better biking experience for everyone!
Boat: Bordeaux
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Susan D. 10 months ago
This trip was truly amazing. We cycled through beautiful countryside and visited spectacular vineyards. The only comment we have is that we didn't like using tokens for our drinks on board the ship. Would rather use a credit card. Also would like to have a choice of meals ie fish, meat or veggie rather than only one choice. Food was great but choice is important.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Barb M. 10 months ago
It was lovely being in the area at this time near harvest but the routes, route preparation in the evening and historical information that might enhance the experience were severely lacking. The GPS devices were difficult to work with and virtually no help was given as to how to correctly operate them.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Reid H. 10 months ago
The staff on the boat were terrific, especially Sebastian. The breakfasts were the same every day which really got old quickly. Their new bikes had terrible shifters and were really heavy. The route descriptions led us to be lost on many days and we finally had to rely on Google maps.
The scenery was great and when we got on less well-traveled roads, the riding was great. Unfortunately we spent too much time (IMHO) on roads with a lot of traffic.
Boat: Bordeaux
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carla 7 months ago
Thank you for your feedback, Reid. We have totally redone our routes and route descriptions for the 2017 season. We guarantee them to be much easier to follow and avoid traffic as much possible.
The menus have also been redone and a new shipment of bikes came in. We anticipate the 2017 season to be the best it can be!
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Gordon M. 10 months ago
The most memorable part of my trip was seeing the brilliant lights on the fabulous architecture of the historic buildings of Bordeaux. I was so impressed with these images against the skyline and the reflecting "mirror" pool in front of the buildings. We spent an evening walking along the boardwalk by the Garonne River and we could enjoy this breathtaking scenery.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Joanne M. 10 months ago
The most memorable part of my trip was being asked to push the large domino to start the "domino effect" which was a practice run for the "FAB Festival in Bordeaux". One evening, we walked by the colourful "Water Mirror", which is a famous kind of fountain in Bordeaux, and we stopped to examine one of the large dominoes which was made out of a white limestone substance. One of the organizers of the "FAB Festival" invited me to start the dominoes. I was thrilled to have such an honour. Everyone cheered. I will never forget it!
Boat: Bordeaux
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Amy M. 11 months ago
This Bordeaux trip needs a lot of attention and improvement. It started out badly at the Bordeaux train station attempting to catch the bus to embark. It took us 2 hours to find the place to catch the bus. I understand that the station is being renovated but you know this, yet you post no signs, no information, have no greeters, nothing to help people find the bus. The maps were really bad - difficult to follow especially given lack of adequate road signage at each location. We spent more time lost and trying to find our way around that enjoying the scenery in many locations. We eventually just gave up on biking because we didn't want to get lost any more. I am not sure what the local statutes are but you could post little signs marking the way for bikers to follow. This would not be hard and would help your patrons to find their way. The food needs help. Why would you have the EXACT same breakfast items for 7 days in a row? I understand you have limited staff but it would not be difficult to vary it up every other day. There were a three dinners that I did not even eat because the food was bad. Granted there were a few meals that were good, I was overall disappointed with the meals. Some of the crew were fantastic, but I felt like communication was poor regarding when we would have to leave the port for "le mascaret" (tidal surge wave) - it seemed like they were always an hour behind when they said it would happen or there was a last minute rush to get people off the boat or get stuck on it for the day. The captain seemed impatient all the time with getting people off the boat. Many things could have been better communicated in the evening "tour talks." And the tour talks were really boring....they weren't especially helpful for biking on the next day. They would literally put us to sleep. Also, we spent 3 nights and two days in the village of Cadillac. While it was a very charming place that I enjoyed, 3 nights and 2 days in such a small place was too much. Why not spend 3 nights and 2 days in Bordeaux, where there is a lot to see and do? I am glad I went on this trip but I would not do this trip again, nor would I recommend it. I met people who have been on other Tripsite boat/bike tours who said this one was far inferior to others they have been on. I would like to call out specifically two staff members who were really great - Arnaud and Sebastian. They were always smiling and fun and really seemed to enjoy their jobs. They made the trip so much better.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Wendy 7 months ago
Thank you for your feedback! Unfortunately there were a lot of glitches to the Bordeaux's first year of bike and boat tours some of which I also encountered during my trip. However we are confident we have fixed the problems and look forward to a great 2017 season!
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Elaine C 11 months ago
The scenery in the Bordeaux region was lovely, as were the people we encountered along the way. Some of the staff were extremely helpful and added to our overall enjoyment of the trip.
We thoroughly enjoyed our days of cycling, despite the many problems my husband experienced with his bicycle (locked brakes, flat tires, a pump that didn't work, loose bearings in the pedals...)
More accurate written descriptions and an updated GPS would have helped with the navigation on the our self-guided routes.
Asking for a dinner without red meat resulted in being served an omelette on more than one occasion (not a great alternative).
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable trip!
Boat: Bordeaux
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carla 7 months ago
We agree Elaine! We're happy to say the routes, descriptions and GPS tracks have totally been redone by professionals for the 2017 season.
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Leonidas R. 11 months ago
The barge BORDEAUX and all of the staff were great. The rooms small as expected but comfortable. The food at dinner was adequate and well presented but certainly not excellent for taste and quality. Breakfasts were ok often some of the hot food was served cold. Plenty of food and variety for breakfast.
The guide, Scott, is a very nice person and tried extremely hard to help everyone but the maps and supplied route instructions are poor. Need a lot of work to become usable for everyone. No problem for me as I had a GPS unit with me. All of the time the routes include highways and roads. There are NO dedicated bike paths and that should be made clear on the trip description so people come in full knowledge of that issue. Such roads are likely to be unsafe for many ""first time"" riders. For that reason I would not recommend this trip to others. There are far safer bike routes in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, with just as nice and memorable scenery and more ""lived in"" towns with cafes and bier gardens than this tour had to offer. After the first 20 Chateaux one gets easily bored seeing another Chateaux for the next 5 days. Generally the scenery was ok but having to dodge traffic is not fun at any time. Also spending 2 or 3 nights at Cadillac at the end is really a poor location and very little to do there. This trip is not quite ready yet.
I will be riding again next year with Tripsite but we will go back to the countries mentioned above.
Boat: Bordeaux
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L.G. Germishuys 1 year ago
Really impressed by the effort and kindness of the staff on the boat.
Boat: Bordeaux
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C. Machado 1 year ago
Try and offer more non-meat entrees for dinner. Too much meat. Also, try and incorporate rail trails( voies ferrees) when possible. They provide relaxed cycling without worrying about constant traffic.
Very friendly staff and good display of professionalism. Bikes were easy to ride! And, it was hard to have to drink only what the boat offered. Can we have more choice, especially in wine country like Bordeaux? Thanks for everything.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Wendy 7 months ago
Thanks for your response Craig. The bar is restocked for the 2017 season and we think everyone will be pleased with the varied selections.
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