Bordeaux - Châteaux, Rivers & Wine
France Bike + Barge Tours
A bike and boat tour in the Bordeaux region.
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.
Low Season
April 14, 21, 28
Mid Season
May 5, 12;Oct 20, 27
High Season
May 19-Oct 6
Twin Cabin, Lower Deck £ 937 $ 1,667 € 1144 NOK 11249 kr 10384 $ 1,350 £ 1019 $ 1,812 € 1244 NOK 12233 kr 11292 $ 1,468 £ 1142 $ 2,031 € 1394 NOK 13708 kr 12653 $ 1,645 Twin Cabin, Upper Deck £ 1060 $ 1,885 € 1294 NOK 12724 kr 11746 $ 1,527 £ 1142 $ 2,031 € 1394 NOK 13708 kr 12653 $ 1,645 £ 1265 $ 2,249 € 1544 NOK 15183 kr 14015 $ 1,822 Junior Suite, Lower Deck £ 1183 $ 2,104 € 1444 NOK 14199 kr 13107 $ 1,704 £ 1265 $ 2,249 € 1544 NOK 15183 kr 14015 $ 1,822 £ 1388 $ 2,468 € 1694 NOK 16658 kr 15376 $ 1,999 Single Cabin, Upper Deck £ 1224 $ 2,176 € 1494 NOK 14691 kr 13561 $ 1,763 £ 1306 $ 2,322 € 1594 NOK 15674 kr 14469 $ 1,881 £ 1470 $ 2,613 € 1794 NOK 17641 kr 16284 $ 2,117 Single Use Twin, Lower Deck
*limited to 3 per departure
£ 1183 $ 2,104 € 1444 NOK 14199 kr 13107 $ 1,704 £ 1265 $ 2,249 € 1544 NOK 15183 kr 14015 $ 1,822 £ 1429 $ 2,541 € 1744 NOK 17149 kr 15830 $ 2,058 Low Season
Mid Season
High Season
Twin Cabin, Lower Deck £ 930 $ 1,653 € 1135 NOK 11161 kr 10302 $ 1,339 £ 1142 $ 2,031 € 1394 NOK 13708 kr 12653 $ 1,645 £ 1224 $ 2,176 € 1494 NOK 14691 kr 13561 $ 1,763 Twin Cabin, Upper Deck £ 1078 $ 1,916 € 1315 NOK 12931 kr 11936 $ 1,552 £ 1290 $ 2,293 € 1574 NOK 15478 kr 14287 $ 1,857 £ 1372 $ 2,439 € 1674 NOK 16461 kr 15195 $ 1,975 Junior Suite, Lower Deck £ 1176 $ 2,090 € 1435 NOK 14111 kr 13025 $ 1,693 £ 1388 $ 2,468 € 1694 NOK 16658 kr 15376 $ 1,999 £ 1470 $ 2,613 € 1794 NOK 17641 kr 16284 $ 2,117 Single Cabin, Upper Deck £ 1258 $ 2,236 € 1535 NOK 15094 kr 13933 $ 1,811 £ 1470 $ 2,613 € 1794 NOK 17641 kr 16284 $ 2,117 £ 1552 $ 2,759 € 1894 NOK 18624 kr 17192 $ 2,235 Single Use Twin, Lower Deck
*limited to 3 per departure
£ 1299 $ 2,309 € 1585 NOK 15586 kr 14387 $ 1,870 £ 1511 $ 2,686 € 1844 NOK 18133 kr 16738 $ 2,176 £ 1593 $ 2,832 € 1944 NOK 19116 kr 17646 $ 2,294 Low Season: March 30, April 6, April 13, April 20, April 27, October 26, November 2
Mid Season: May 4-August 24; October 5, 12, 19
High Season: August 31, September 7, September 14, September 21, September 28
extra options
Guided Option: £ 98 $ 175 € 120 NOK 1180 kr 1089 $ 142 E-Bike: £ 74 $ 131 € 90 NOK 885 kr 817 $ 106 Discount for no transfers: £ 41 $ 73 € 50 NOK 492 kr 454 $ 59 Bicycle Protection
Hybrid Bike: £ 8 $ 15 € 10 NOK 98 kr 91 $ 12 E-Bike: £ 16 $ 29 € 20 NOK 197 kr 182 $ 24 Special Diet Request (GF, Dairy free), payable on board: £ 41 $ 73 € 50 NOK 492 kr 454 $ 59Guided Option: £ 123 $ 219 € 150 NOK 1475 kr 1362 $ 177 E-Bike: £ 74 $ 131 € 90 NOK 885 kr 817 $ 106 Discount for no transfers: £ 41 $ 73 € 50 NOK 492 kr 454 $ 59 Bicycle Protection
Hybrid Bike: £ 8 $ 15 € 10 NOK 98 kr 91 $ 12 E-Bike: £ 16 $ 29 € 20 NOK 197 kr 182 $ 24 Special Diet Request (GF, Dairy free), payable on board: £ 41 $ 73 € 50 NOK 492 kr 454 $ 59please note
Travel insurance
Our tour prices do not include travel insurance. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance which includes trip cancellation/interruption coverage. You can find more information on our Trip Insurance Page.
Cancellation Policy for Bordeaux Châteaux, Rivers & Wine Tour:
- More than 180 days before the departure date: 20% of the total booking
- Between 179 and 75 days before departure date: 35% of total booking amount
- Between 74 and 30 days before departure date: 75% of total booking amount
- At 29 days or less before departure: 100% of the amount total reservation
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Information to read before you book.
Travel
Fly to Paris Charles De Gaulle International Airport or Bordeaux International Airport. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure or you will not be allowed to board your flight!
From Paris, you can either take a TGV train or fly to Bordeaux:TRAIN: There is now a high-speed TGV train with direct route from Paris to Bordeaux and vice versa that runs several times each day. From Paris center (Gare Montparnasse), TGV train is about 2 hours. From CDG airport in Paris to Bordeaux, TGV train is about 3.5 hours. Book tickets in advance, they can sell out. Schedules and pricing can be found on the TGV/SNCF website: https://en.oui.sncf/en/
FLY: Flights into Bordeaux offered by several airlines including low cost Easyjet. 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.
Local Travel
BUS TRANSFERS: Included in the tour package is a collective round-trip bus transfer to/from the Gare St Jean train station in Bordeaux and the barge. On arrival day, the transfer leaves the train station at 2pm and takes you to the barge. On the last day, the return transfer leaves the barge at 9am and arrives back at Gare St Jean train station around 10am. If you do not need the transfers, please let us know at the time of booking and there will be a credit of €50. Please note these transfers are highly recommended, especially to/from Castets which is remote and difficult to get to. Price for a taxi from Bordeaux to Castets will cost about €100.
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 you wear one provided on board or bring your own helmet for proper fit and safety. 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 Dates
Castets-en-Dorthe to Libourne
Mid Season: October 27, 2018
High Season: July 21, *August 4, September 1, September 15, September 29
Libourne to Castets-en-Dorthe
Mid Season: October 20, 2018
High Season: July 28, *August 11, August 25, September 8, September 22, October 6, 2018
*Dates August 4, and August 11 are not guaranteed departures, minimum of 24 passengers is required
Castets-en-Dorthe to Libourne
Low Season: March 30, April 13, April 27, October 26, 2019
Mid Season: May 11, May 25, June 8, June 22, July 6, July 20, August 3, August 17, October 12, 2019
High Season: August 31, September 14, September 28, 2019
Libourne to Castets-en-Dorthe
Low Season: April 6, April 20, November 2, 2019
Mid Season: May 4, May 18, June 1, June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27, August 10, August 24, October 5, October 19, 2019
High Season: September 7, September 21, 2019
Skill Level
This tour is rated easy to moderate with daily cycling distances from 30 to 50 km (18-32 miles). The terrain varies day to day. At times, the route is flat along the river and through the vineyards but there are days with a few long gradual hills as well as some steeper short climbs out of the river valleys. Many cyclists have found an e-bike to be a good option on this tour. The tour is offered self-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. A guided option is also available for an additional supplement, see pricing. 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
- Accommodations on board for 7 nights
- 7 x Breakfasts, 6 x Self-packed Lunches, 7 x Three-Course Dinners
- 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
- Helmets for adults (must bring own child helmets)
- 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 from 3-5:30
- Daily cabin cleaning (change of towels on request)
- Welcome drink and presentation
- GPS tracks available on request for pre-download to your own device
- Included in the Guided Option
- English-speaking tour guide who leads the bike ride, shares local history and culture
- 1 wine tasting at a wine shop in Saint-Emilion (free)
- 2-3 chateaux visits (free-€15)
What’s Not Included
- Guided Tour Option: €120 per person (advance reservation required)
- GPS Device with downloaded tracks: €100 deposit that is returned to you at the end of the tour - reserve in advance
- 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 €10. Wine is allowed in the lounge, restaurant, and on deck. Wine is NOT allowed in cabins.
- Child Helmets: 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
2018 Itinerary
Castets-en-Dorthe to Libourne
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival Day in Castets-en-Dorthe: Bus transfer @2 pm from Bordeaux train station to barge in Castets. Boarding at 3 pm.
Day 2 (Sunday): Castets - Saint Macaire - La Réole round-trip by bike, 19-32 mi. (30-50 km) | Castets - Cadillac by boat
Day 3 (Monday): Loupiac - Entre-Deux-Mers/Graves - Sauternes - Cadillac round-trip by bike, 32 mi. (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, 28 mi. (45 km) | Lamarque to Bourg by boat
Day 6 (Thursday): Bourg - Blaye round-trip by bike, 23 mi. (37 km) | Bourg - Libourne by boat
Day 7 (Friday): Libourne - Saint Émilion & Pomerol round-trip by bike, 16-28 miles (25-45 km)
Day 8 (Saturday): Disembarkation in Libourne and transfer back to Bordeaux leaves barge @ 9am, arrives at train station around 10am.
*All distances are approximate.
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival Day - Bus transfer @ 2pm from Gare St Jean Train Station in Bordeaux to barge docking location in Castets. Boarding at 3pm. Optional bike ride around Canal des Deux Mers.
Arrival in Castets-en-Dorthe at the docking location near the Canal des Deux Mers, 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 - Saint Macaire - La Réole - Canal de la Garonne round-trip by bike, 19 - 32 mi. (30-50 km) | Castets-en-Dorthe to Cadillac by boat
After a restful night on board, the first town you will discover by bike is the lovely Saint Macaire with its wonderful gate and walls. You will have an opportunity to visit the former residence of the writer Francois Mauriac, as well as enjoy your first wine tasting at a château. Riding along fields of corn and sunflowers, you reach La Réole, crossing the Garonne river on a bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel. The town has a rich history with and is known for it's visit from Richard Lionheart in 1190, who on the way to the Holy Land, dedicated the town hall to thank the locals for their loyalty to the English crown. Explore the town's two castles, impressive church, and narrow cobblestone streets. Continuing on along the Canal de la Garonne, built during the Napolean era, you can either bike directly back to the boat or take a ride to Meihan-sur-Garonne to discover the amazing scenery it offers.
Day 3 (Monday): Loupiac - Entre-Deux-Mers/Graves - Sauternes - Cadillac round-trip by bike, 32 mi. (50 km) | Cadillac - Bordeaux by boat
Today we will discover the Sauternes region, where sweet dessert wines are made. We start with a view from Sainte-Croix du Mont and then follow the route along 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. You will pass the famous vineyards of Château d'Yquem, Château Guiraud, and Clos Haut Peyraguey. Wine tastings are offered here! Today's route will end in Cadillac, 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 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 28 mi. (45 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, 23 mi. (37 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, 16-28 miles (25-45 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
Disembarkation after breakfast. Return bus transfer leaves barge @ 9am and arrives at Gare St Jean train station in Bordeaux around 10am.
Libourne to Castets-en-Dorthe
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival Day in Libourne: Bus transfer @2 pm from Bordeaux train station to barge in Libourne. Boarding at 3 pm. Optional bike ride around Libourne, 7-10 mi. (10-15 km)
Day 2 (Sunday): Libourne - Saint Émilion & Pomerol round-trip by bike, 16 - 28 mi. (25 - 45 km) | Libourne - Bourg, by boat
Day 3 (Monday): Bourg - Blaye round-trip by bike, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 4 (Tuesday): Bourg - Lamarque by boat | Lamarque - Margaux (Médoc) round-trip by bike, 28 mi (45 km) | Lamarque - Bordeaux by boat
Day 5 (Wednesday): Heart of Bordeaux by bike, 10 mi. (15 km) | Bordeaux - Cadillac by boat
Day 6 (Thursday): Loupiac - Entre-Deux-Mers/Graves - Sauternes - Cadillac round-trip by bike, 32 mi. (50 km) | Cadillac - Castets-en-Dorthe by boat
Day 7 (Friday): Castets-en-Dorthe - Saint Macaire - La Réole - Canal de la Garonne round-trip by bike, 19 - 32 mi. (30 - 50 km)
Day 8 (Saturday): Disembarkation in Castets and transfer back to Bordeaux leaves barge @ 9am, arrives at train station around 10am.
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival Day - Bus transfer @ 2pm from Gare St Jean Train Station in Bordeaux to barge docking location in Libourne. Boarding at 3pm. Optional bike ride around Libourne, 7-10 mi. (10-15 km)
Arrival in Libourne at the barge's docking location 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 (Sunday): Libourne - Saint Émilion & Pomerol round-trip by bike, 16 - 28 mi. (25 - 45 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, the boat sails for Bourg, located at the conjunction of the Dordogne and the Garonne rivers.
Day 3 (Monday): Bourg - Blaye and Fortress round-trip by bike, 23 mi. (37 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 (Tuesday): Bourg to Lamarque by boat | Lamarque - Margaux (Médoc) round-trip by bike, 28 mi (45 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 (Wednesday): Heart of Bordeaux, 10 mi. (15 km) | 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 (Thursday): Loupiac - Entre-Deux-Mers/Graves - Sauternes - Cadillac round-trip by bike, 32 mi. (50 km) | Cadillac to Castets-en-Dorthe by boat
Today we will discover the Sauternes region, where sweet dessert wines are made. We start with a view from Sainte-Croix du Mont and then follow the route along 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. You will pass the famous vineyards of Château d'Yquem, Château Guiraud, and Clos Haut Peyraguey. Wine tastings are offered here! Today's route will end in Cadillac, 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. In the evening, cruise further upstream to the scenic village of Castets-en-Dorthe, the end of the navigable part of the Garonne River.
Day 7 (Friday): Castets-en-Dorthe - Saint Macaire - La Réole - Canal de la Garonne round-trip by bike, 19 - 32 mi. (30-50 km)
After a restful night on board, the first town you will discover by bike is the lovely Saint Macaire with its wonderful gate and walls. You will have an opportunity to visit the former residence of the writer Francois Mauriac, as well as enjoy your first wine tasting at a château. Riding along fields of corn and sunflowers, you reach La Réole, crossing the Garonne river on a bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel. The town has a rich history with and is known for it's visit from Richard Lionheart in 1190, who on the way to the Holy Land, dedicated the town hall to thank the locals for their loyalty to the English crown. Explore the town's two castles, impressive church, and narrow cobblestone streets. Continuing on along the Canal de la Garonne, built during the Napolean era, you can either bike directly back to the boat or take a ride to Meihan-sur-Garonne to discover the amazing scenery it offers. Enjoy your last dinner on board here in Castets-en-Dorthe.
Day 8 (Saturday): Disembarkation in Castets and transfer back to Bordeaux
Disembarkation after breakfast. Return bus transfer leaves barge @ 9am and arrives at Gare St Jean train station in Bordeaux around 10am.
**Important**: The Garonne 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 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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|---|---|
| Type | Guided |
| Skill | Easy–Moderate |
| Length | 11 days |
| From | €1785 |
Customer Feedback
Paul K. 2 weeks ago
Having a guide for this trip was very beneficial. For the first 3 days our guided group consisted of 30+ people. This was too large of a group and was pretty much a pain. We eventually broke into a group of 8 riders with Dorian as our guide, that was perfect. We were able to travel at a much more leisurely pace, visit many wineries, tasting rooms, small villages and churches.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Jehiel from Tripsite 2 weeks ago
Hi Paul,
Thanks for this feedback. I agree two guides are better than one with big groups. That way you can have two different riding paces and everyone is content. I will share this feedback with our local partner! Thanks again.
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Raine P. 2 months ago
The routes were described well before each ride and usually easy to follow, however at least one person in your group should have a GPS. The guide and scenery were exceptional. The food was great but it was difficult getting vegetarian food for dinner even though I had requested vegetarian when I signed up.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Judy C. 2 months ago
It was absolutely amazing from start to finish. The weather was warm, sunny, and perfect for biking. The country roads, surrounded with miles of vineyards, and the canal bike paths were beautiful. The small towns and villages were charming and delightful destinations; there was always an old castle or church to explore. The picnic lunch that we packed each morning allowed us to experience a variety of "picnic" spots. One day we were on the steps of the University of Bordeaux; another day sitting along the Garonne River in St. Macaire.
The boat, with just our family plus another couple, was terrific. We got to know the crew quite well-- actually, all on the boat became one big family. It was the trip of a life-time for all 15 of us. Everyday a grandchild would come up to me and say, "Mema, this is the best trip I've ever been on. I am having so much fun." From the youngest, at age 12, to the oldest at 78, we are left with memories that will never be forgotten.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Georgia M. 6 months ago
Travelling on the boat with a small group of international people is such a great way to experience the world - and the bike tours are brilliant.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Jenny & Ted Miles Johnson 7 months ago
The staff members were superb!!!
Another great experience on a bike & barge trip!
Some suggestions:
We should have known in advance, that appointments were necessary to visit a winery. A daily visit to a winery would have been nice, where the staff of the boat could have made the appointments.
In the write up for this particular bike & barge (Bordeaux), it would have been nice for the write up to let people know, that there are a few hills (12-15%) to ride up daily.
Even bicyclist in decent shape had a tough time riding up these 12-15% grades, due to the heavy bicycles. Maybe, letting people know, that it’s advisable to get an ebike, can resolve the uphill climbs issue.
Also, for not getting lost on the daily bike routes; The availability of the gps was a big plus and a necessary piece of equipment, for a successful & pleasant daily bike trip.
Overall, the staff & owner of the barge were very helpful & were there for you, when you were in need of something!
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Lisa S. 7 months ago
We traveled on the ship Bordeaux in France. The bike routes were beautiful, but the instructions provided by not so great. No worries, we had maps and a GPS, we made each day into an adventure!!!
Boat: Bordeaux
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Stephen M. 7 months ago
Visiting Arles was particularly memorable, but we very much enjoyed the trip itinerary.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Brent M. 7 months ago
Most Memorable Part: The friendly relaxed and welcoming atmosphere of the barge and staff.
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Jacqueline T. 8 months ago
Get an ebike if you have any doubts about your ability to do the biking. I am not a biker but was able to do the hills around Bordeaux because of the ebike. Most memorable moments was just the ride through the vineyards themselves, past the chateauxs.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Sarita L. 9 months ago
Everything was great. Just did not like the room and bathroom size.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Susan M. 9 months ago
We enjoyed St Emilion which we explored on our own. We should have been told what there was unusual to see in all of the ports that we were in at the beginning of the trip so that if reservations were necessary at sights that interested us we could have made them. Sebastian worked very hard at making sure that we had a great time on the boat. We were part of a learning experience and work in progress for Pascal.
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wendy 9 months ago
Thanks for your feedback Susan! Yes, information should definitely be shared at the beginning of the tour and typically is but we do apologize as the regular tour guide for this tour was not on board the week of your departure so there was some lack of details. St Emilion is also my favorite!
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Linda R. 9 months ago
The scenery was wonderful. Biking around the French countryside — what could be bad? HOWEVER, this trip should not be taken unless the client is assured that the barge has replaced their current bikes (as they say they will for 2018) with lighter bikes in perfect working order. They should make sure that there are bikes of all sizes, so that a small person (I am 5’) will get a properly fitted bike. I biked the entire week on a 6-speed rusty heavy old bike. Even the bell and kickstand didn’t work.
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wendy 9 months ago
Thanks Linda and we agree! As you mention, new bikes (smaller and lighter frames in particular) will be purchased for 2018!
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Tama L. 9 months ago
Most Memorable Part: St. Emilion and the disco party on the boat the last night
Boat: Bordeaux
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Ronnie L. 9 months ago
Bordeaux is an exquisite area of France. Exploring it on a bike made it that much more enjoyable. The scenery and visiting wine Chateaus that have been in business for generation was quite spectacular. The city of Bordeaux may be my favorite city of all the European cities I've visited. It's very easy to use the public transportation, there is much to see, explore and experience there. For future listings, I would rate this trip as at least moderate in cycling difficulty. There was one flat day, one day of rolling cycling, and 3 day of pretty challenging hills, especially on heavy hybrid bikes. On any future tour I will definitely consider using an ebike. Many if not all of the European women used them. I met many interesting and lovely people from other countries on this tour. It was delightful!
Boat: Bordeaux
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Andrea S. 10 months ago
We really enjoyed the bike rides in the country side, and visiting the wineries, especially the day Viktor took us to Clos de Bigos. Staff on the boat was great. Boat is older and can get very damp in the lower cabins. The cabin did have air conditioning which is very nice. The areas we visited were beautiful, and we were surprised at how beautiful Bordeaux is.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Veronica H. 10 months ago
Bordeaux the best city on trip for us. Trip is not easy because of traffic and hills---scary!!!
Boat: Bordeaux
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wendy 9 months ago
This tour is a mix of days with flat/easy riding and days with occasional hills/moderate riding hence the rating easy/moderate. It is important to keep in mind that our ratings are based on riders who ride often and are accustomed to riding on varied paths and terrain. There are times that you will be on shared roads and depending on the time of day, you may encounter some traffic so we recommend a vest like our reflective one.
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Richard O. 10 months ago
We were on the 9-16 Sep sailing on the Bordeaux from Castets-en-Dorthe to Libourne. The provided daily road maps were difficult to follow and easily confusing; most folks saved the $200 euro apiece, and did the self-guided rides -- and folks were going off trail everywhere. Luckily, I had downloaded Ulmon maps, so I could always find my way back to the trail. They did offer 3 bike computers with pre-loaded maps which were very helpful. You state they can be rented for $15 euro, actually, they are available for free, with a $100 euro refundable deposit, unless it is lost or stolen.
Otherwise, the trip was a delight, and great kudos to the bike guide Victor, the ship's owner Pascale, and her fine crew.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Karry & Brent M. 1 year 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. 1 year 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. 1 year 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. 1 year ago
The scenery , chateaus and winery were beautiful.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Nancy P. 2 years 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 1 year 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. 2 years 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 1 year 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. 2 years ago
Barge, service, guide, food, comfort, weather and on and on...all great.
Boat: Bordeaux
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Joyce K. 2 years 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 1 year 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. 2 years 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. 2 years 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. 2 years 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 1 year 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. 2 years 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 2 years 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. 2 years 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. 2 years 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 1 year 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. 2 years 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. 2 years 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. 2 years 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 2 years 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. 2 years 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. 2 years 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. 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years 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. 2 years 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 2 years ago
Really impressed by the effort and kindness of the staff on the boat.
Boat: Bordeaux
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C. Machado 2 years 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 2 years 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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