| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 12th12 | MayMay | 202525 | 2 nights accommodation before your cruise, staying in Biarritz | | |
| 14th14 | MayMay | 202525 | Biarritz, France, embark on the MS Cyrano de Bergerac | | |
| Breakfast will be served at the hotel.This morning, join us for a guided tour of Bayonne and a salted-meat workshop. The guided tour of old Bayonne introduces you to the history of the French Basque Country and its culture. Strolling down the quaint, narrow streets, you'll learn about the city center's rich architectural heritage, including the cathedral, cloister, and fortifications. We'll then visit a salted-meat workshop to see how dried ham is made and taste a few of its products.Enjoy a traditional Basque meal at lunch in a local cider house. Have a glass of cider directly from the barrel!After your tour, you'll leave by coach for Bordeaux, where you'll board our ship at 6 p.m. We'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. |
| 14th14 | MayMay | 202525 | Bordeaux, France | 18:00 | |
| Bordeaux as a whole, rather than any particular points within it, is what you'll want to visit in order to understand why Victor Hugo described it as Versailles plus Antwerp, and why the painter Francisco de Goya, when exiled from his native Spain, chose it as his last home (he died here in 1828). The capital of southwest France and the region's largest city, Bordeaux remains synonymous with the wine trade: wine shippers have long maintained their headquarters along the banks of the Garonne, while buyers from around the world arrive for the huge biennial Vinexpo show (held in odd-number years).Bordeaux is, admittedly, a less exuberant city than many others in France, but lively and stylish elements are making a dent in its conservative veneer. The cleaned-up riverfront is said by some, after a bottle or two, to exude an elegance reminiscent of St. Petersburg, and that aura of 18th-century élan also permeates the historic downtown sector—“le vieux Bordeaux"—where fine shops invite exploration. To the south of the city center are old docklands undergoing renewal—one train station has now been transformed into a big multiplex movie theater—but the area is still a bit shady. To get a feel for the historic port of Bordeaux, take the 90-minute boat trip that leaves Quai Louis-XVIII every weekday afternoon, or the regular passenger ferry that plies the Garonne between Quai Richelieu and the Pont d'Aquitaine in summer. A nice time to stroll around the city center is the first Sunday of the month, when it's pedestrian-only and vehicles are banned. |
| 15th15 | MayMay | 202525 | Bordeaux, France | | 20:50 |
| Bordeaux as a whole, rather than any particular points within it, is what you'll want to visit in order to understand why Victor Hugo described it as Versailles plus Antwerp, and why the painter Francisco de Goya, when exiled from his native Spain, chose it as his last home (he died here in 1828). The capital of southwest France and the region's largest city, Bordeaux remains synonymous with the wine trade: wine shippers have long maintained their headquarters along the banks of the Garonne, while buyers from around the world arrive for the huge biennial Vinexpo show (held in odd-number years).Bordeaux is, admittedly, a less exuberant city than many others in France, but lively and stylish elements are making a dent in its conservative veneer. The cleaned-up riverfront is said by some, after a bottle or two, to exude an elegance reminiscent of St. Petersburg, and that aura of 18th-century élan also permeates the historic downtown sector—“le vieux Bordeaux"—where fine shops invite exploration. To the south of the city center are old docklands undergoing renewal—one train station has now been transformed into a big multiplex movie theater—but the area is still a bit shady. To get a feel for the historic port of Bordeaux, take the 90-minute boat trip that leaves Quai Louis-XVIII every weekday afternoon, or the regular passenger ferry that plies the Garonne between Quai Richelieu and the Pont d'Aquitaine in summer. A nice time to stroll around the city center is the first Sunday of the month, when it's pedestrian-only and vehicles are banned. We will cruise down towards Cussac-Fort-Mdoc.In the afternoon, join us for the optional CLASSIC / DISCOVERY excursion proposed: Following the trail of the grands crus wines of Mdoc, a renowned region where the most famous of all red wines in the world are cultivated.We'll return on board for dinner and an evening of entertainment. |
| 15th15 | MayMay | 202525 | Cussac-Fort-Médoc, France | 09:00 | |
| 16th16 | MayMay | 202525 | Cussac-Fort-Médoc, France | | 20:50 |
| We'll start sailing early this morning towards Blaye, whose Citadel built by Vauban is not to be missed. Join us on the optional excursions proposed:CLASSIC: The Route de la Corniche Fleurie and the Blaye Citadel, journey through tradition and authenticity.DISCOVERY: Tour Blaye and its underground monuments on foot. After our tour, we'll get to taste some regional products with an excellent glass of wine*.We'll return on board and cruise on the Gironde all the way to the estuary. Enjoy an evening of dancing. |
| 16th16 | MayMay | 202525 | Cruising | 09:30 | 20:50 |
| 16th16 | MayMay | 202525 | Blaye, France | 14:00 | |
| 17th17 | MayMay | 202525 | Blaye, France | | 20:50 |
| We'll cruise to Libourne, a town rich with history and full of character located at the confluence with the Isle and the Dordogne Rivers. Upon arrival, join us for the optional excursions proposed:CLASSIC: tour of Saint-Emilion.DISCOVERY: Libourne by bike and wine tasting.We'll return on board in Libourne. Tonight is our festive gala dinner and evening. |
| 17th17 | MayMay | 202525 | Cadillac, France | 13:00 | |
| 18th18 | MayMay | 202525 | Cadillac, France | | 20:50 |
| We'll cruise towards Bordeaux this morning. Join us on the optional excursions proposed:CLASSIC: The Chartrons District, Wine and Commerce Museum.DISCOVERY: The Bassins des Lumires.Enjoy an evening of entertainment. |
| 18th18 | MayMay | 202525 | Bordeaux, France | 12:00 | |
| Bordeaux as a whole, rather than any particular points within it, is what you'll want to visit in order to understand why Victor Hugo described it as Versailles plus Antwerp, and why the painter Francisco de Goya, when exiled from his native Spain, chose it as his last home (he died here in 1828). The capital of southwest France and the region's largest city, Bordeaux remains synonymous with the wine trade: wine shippers have long maintained their headquarters along the banks of the Garonne, while buyers from around the world arrive for the huge biennial Vinexpo show (held in odd-number years).Bordeaux is, admittedly, a less exuberant city than many others in France, but lively and stylish elements are making a dent in its conservative veneer. The cleaned-up riverfront is said by some, after a bottle or two, to exude an elegance reminiscent of St. Petersburg, and that aura of 18th-century élan also permeates the historic downtown sector—“le vieux Bordeaux"—where fine shops invite exploration. To the south of the city center are old docklands undergoing renewal—one train station has now been transformed into a big multiplex movie theater—but the area is still a bit shady. To get a feel for the historic port of Bordeaux, take the 90-minute boat trip that leaves Quai Louis-XVIII every weekday afternoon, or the regular passenger ferry that plies the Garonne between Quai Richelieu and the Pont d'Aquitaine in summer. A nice time to stroll around the city center is the first Sunday of the month, when it's pedestrian-only and vehicles are banned. |
| 19th19 | MayMay | 202525 | Bordeaux, France, disembark the MS Cyrano de Bergerac | | |
| Bordeaux as a whole, rather than any particular points within it, is what you'll want to visit in order to understand why Victor Hugo described it as Versailles plus Antwerp, and why the painter Francisco de Goya, when exiled from his native Spain, chose it as his last home (he died here in 1828). The capital of southwest France and the region's largest city, Bordeaux remains synonymous with the wine trade: wine shippers have long maintained their headquarters along the banks of the Garonne, while buyers from around the world arrive for the huge biennial Vinexpo show (held in odd-number years).Bordeaux is, admittedly, a less exuberant city than many others in France, but lively and stylish elements are making a dent in its conservative veneer. The cleaned-up riverfront is said by some, after a bottle or two, to exude an elegance reminiscent of St. Petersburg, and that aura of 18th-century élan also permeates the historic downtown sector—“le vieux Bordeaux"—where fine shops invite exploration. To the south of the city center are old docklands undergoing renewal—one train station has now been transformed into a big multiplex movie theater—but the area is still a bit shady. To get a feel for the historic port of Bordeaux, take the 90-minute boat trip that leaves Quai Louis-XVIII every weekday afternoon, or the regular passenger ferry that plies the Garonne between Quai Richelieu and the Pont d'Aquitaine in summer. A nice time to stroll around the city center is the first Sunday of the month, when it's pedestrian-only and vehicles are banned. Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services. For an optimal organization of the cruise, the organization of excursions can be modified according to the tide.Note to coach: double-decker buses are not allowed on many roads in Gironde, including Libourne, Saint Emilion, Blaye and Cadillac. |
