Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, wineries and Charming Villages river cruise from Bordeaux, 13 October 2026 (7 nights)

A well-known wine region on the left bank of the Gironde estuary, formed from the meeting of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, Médoc is idyllic, with vibrant vineyards spread across rolling hills, dense pine forests teeming with life, and stunning sandy beaches. Northwest of Bordeaux, you’ll never be far from somewhere serving delectable French cuisine made with fresh ingredients. This area, particularly, is known for a variety of sweet treats, Les Noisettes du Médoc and Les Sarments du Médoc among them. Boasting a balance of breathtaking landscapes and uninterrupted scenery with small-town life, delectable regional wines, and local delicacies you won’t want to miss, exploring Médoc is a memorable moment on any river cruise through France.

Blaye, a charming town on the banks of the Gironde estuary, a waterway that connects the confluence of the Garonne and the Dordogne rivers with the Atlantic Ocean, is a hidden gem among these stunning destinations you’ll have the chance to visit when exploring France’s rivers. Historically, this town was a convenient place to cross the rivers of France for those travelling south to Bordeaux, or beyond to Spain and Portugal. Now, though, it’s somewhere where you can admire interesting architecture, indulge in delectable regional dishes, and immerse yourself in French culture. Blaye is a town dominated by medieval fortifications, with a trio of fortified citadels in the region constructed throughout the 17th century to defend Bordeaux from potential attack. Although, you’ll find ruins far older than that here, meaning there’s a lot more to uncover when it comes to this small town’s fascinating history. It’s not all about medieval forts, though; Blaye is home to a market every Wednesday and Saturday, as well as a springtime festival that boasts unmissable wine tastings and a variety of exciting events to get involved with. You’ll also find yourself with plenty of wonderful riverside walking routes to enjoy, with scenic landscapes in abundance.

Bourg, also known as Bourg-sur-Gironde, is a quaint town on the Dordogne River. Just west of the river’s confluence with the Garonne, this town is part of the renowned Côtes de Bourg wine region, boasting an idyllic appearance and an incredible culinary landscape for such a small place. Interestingly, Bourg began as a fortified villa built in the 4th century and now boasts breathtaking riverside scenery and vibrant vineyards. Neighbouring towns and villages, such as Caruel and Saint-Seurin-de-Bourg, offer even more scenic spots to explore. So, if you’re looking to immerse yourself in rural French life and indulge in this region’s sensational food and wine, this is somewhere to look forward to visiting.

Something of a hidden gem among the riverside destinations found throughout France, Libourne is an incredible city to spend any amount of time in. Known as the wine-making capital of northern Gironde, this city sits on the banks of the Dordogne at its confluence with the Isle River, something that affords it an abundance of remarkable riverside landscapes and vibrant scenery to explore. It’s also home to a rich culinary landscape and plenty of places to sample regional cuisines and French fine dining, as well as a fascinating medieval history and – of course – plenty of places to indulge in some of Gironde’s best wines. Founded as a fortified bastide in 1270 by Roger de Leybourne, an English soldier and royal servant, Libourne was the first naval navigation port on the Dordogne River. Not only did this contribute to its early flourishing in the 13th and 14th centuries, but it also made the settlement a hotly contested destination in the Hundred Years’ War between the French and the English. In spite of this, though, Libourne is quintessentially French, and somewhere you’ll have no trouble immersing yourself in French culture and cuisine. It’s also a short distance from Bordeaux, if you’re looking to spend some time in this sensational city.