Discover the Estuary islands
Did you know that an archipelago of around ten islands was scattered across the Gironde estuary? You can visit some by boat. Ile Margaux, for example, with its vineyards where you can visit the wineries and do some wine-tasting.
If you berth on the île de Patiras, you can settle down for lunch in the islands shelter then climb to the top of the lighthouse to admire the 360° view. A moment out of time!
From €38/person https://croisiere-bordeaux.com
Gourmet trip along the UNESCO docks
Rendez-vous at the Chartrons dock, on the Bateaux Bordelais pontoon, to board the Le Sicambre restaurant boat. Then it's off you go for a 2h cruise on the Garonne as you savour fine quality cuisine with a southwest flavour.
Lunch or dinner time, Bordeaux slips before your eyes, from Peter's Bridge to the Aquitaine Bridge, by way of the Jacques Chaban Delmas Bridge to the Bassens docklands. A real treat!
From €55 / person https://bordeaux-river-cruise.com/17-departure-bordeaux
River cruises, between terroir and cultural discoveries
You'll need 5 to 7 days to embark on a river boat for a gentle holiday on the move. Upstream from Bordeaux, the cruises take you on the Garonne towards Entre-deux-Mers and Sauternais. Then downstream towards the Gironde estuary, with its small islands, the cities of Pauillac – entry port for the Médoc vineyards – and Blaye with its famous Vauban citadel. From the estuary, we head up the Dordogne towards Libourne and Saint-Emilion, UNESCO-listed medieval gem with its vineyard landscapes.
Cruise operators based in Bordeaux: CroisiEurope, Viking, Uniworld, Scenic Tours, Aquitaine Croisières, Amawaterways
Bike and Boat, the ideal combination
Combining a bicycle ride with a river cruise is the unique concept thought up by Aquitaine Cruises, a small Bordeaux-based company. This trip will lead you along the Bordeaux Wine Route, to the heart of the most famous French vineyards: Saint-Emilion, Sauternes, Entre-deux-Mers, Médoc… Between 20 to 50 km a day by bike (electric bike hire possible).
Trip on a tall ship aboard the Arawak
Come and discover the Girondin coast and its picturesque landscapes aboard the Arawak, a 30-metre former tuna ship. Discover places only accessible by sea, while observing the wild flora and fauna. The Arawak invites everyone to join in the manoeuvres, steering and daily tasks on board.
Follow us, the editors of Nouvelle-Aquitaine-Tourisme.com as we show you around… our home.
From the peaks of the Pyrenees to the Marais Poitevin canals via the wharfs of Bordeaux, the beaches of the Atlantic to the shores of Lake Vassivière near Limoges, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is full of fascinating, entertaining stories that will amuse one and all.
