Fine wine, fabulous vineyards, quaint villages and landscape steeped in history and stunning cathedrals await visitors to the Bordeaux region of France. Enjoy a carefree adventure with a relaxing river cruise. Unpack once, no transportation worries and adventures galore await travelers to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Drink wine and try fine cognac during your vacation to what is truly one of the world’s most famous wine destinations. GetAway Travel can help you select your cruise destinations. Itineraries vary slightly, but all emphasize a stay in “brilliant Bordeaux.”

Bordeaux, the crown jewel of the trip

Vineyards as far as the eye can see, three stunning cathedrals, amazing monuments, and spectacular chocolatiers, Bordeaux has something for everyone. The world’s largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bordeaux is often referred to a “little Paris.”

In addition to being a premier wine destination, the area is it also known for its fine cognac.

Grand mansions and buildings with diverse and fabulous architecture are in the city’s Old Town. The Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux is on the square. It is considered an architectural masterpiece and is now home to the Grand Opera of Bordeaux.

If you happen to be in the city on a Sunday, don’t miss the Quai des Chartrons, a giant outdoor market with produce, crafts and some great souvenir options.

Do try the chocolate here. Trade with other colonies brought vanilla, sugar, cocoa and spices to the area. The city embraced exiled Spanish jews who in turn taught the fine art of chocolate making to Bordeaux bakers and chocolatiers.

The city is also home the three famous cathedrals, the Church of St. Louis, Basilique Saint-Michel and the Cathedral of St. Andrew.

A Gothic revival church dedicated to King Louis, the Church of Saint Louis has a simple, elegant exterior. The interior is quite impressive. There are lovely sculptures, religious artwork, a golden altar and remarkable stained glass windows from the workshops of Henri Feur and Nicholas Lorin. The organ is on the list of French monuments.

Basilique Saint Michel is the largest worship site in Bordeaux. The Gothic church has sculptures of Mary and Jesus inside and amazing stained glass windows. The 374-foot tall bell tower is separate from the church because builders feared it might destabilize the foundation of the church. The marshy ground with lots of subsoil is great for grapes, not so much for stable foundations for heavy buildings.

An optional port excursion for many cruises is a short trip overland to Cognac. It is the only place in France allowed to produce brandy that bears its name. The House of Camus has been producing cognac since 1863 and the fifth generation of the family runs the business. Trace grapes from the harvest to the distillery with museum quality exhibits along the way. Huge workshop tables in the barrel room invite visitors, under the tutelage of a Master Blender, to create your own cognac blend. Only three types of white grapes can be used for cognac, it can only be distilled in copper pots and it must be aged two years in a barrel. Your private blend will be sealed and packaged for travel and you’ll get serving instructions.

Influential Libourne and Saint-Emilion

 Libourne was built as a fortified town during the build up to colonize the wilderness of southwestern France. It is located where the Dordogne and Isle rivers meet and it is considered the wine-making capital of Northern Gironde. It also boasts one of the area’s largest fresh food markets.

The surrounding vineyards craft wines from Merlot, Cabernet, Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes.

Saint-Emilion is nearby. Stroll the cobblestone streets, visit the wineshops and bakeries and marvel at the vineyards that come right up to the edge of the village. Saint-Emilion church is fascinating. The monolithic church is carved into the side of a cliff with just the church tower visible above ground. You can tour the subterranean rooms. The entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bourg, Blaye and Cadillac

 The fortress in Blaye was built at the behest of King Louis. The citadel was intended to protect Bordeaux from attacks from the sea. Nearby Bourg, a lovely village, is perched on a rocky slope still encircled by walls meant to protect it in years past as it also kept watch on Bordeaux.

There is a great horse-drawn carriage museum at the citadel in Bourg and you can explore underground passages where tanks traveled during WWII.

The citadel at Blaye is half-moon shaped and was constructed by renowned military engineer Vauban. It still contains castle ruins, houses, squares, streets and even a convent. Stand on the walls to get fabulous panoramic views of the river.

Close to the Blaye Citadel is Pair-non-Pair. The prehistoric caves have a fascinating series of wall engravings that are some of the best examples of Paleolithic wall art.

The road between Bourg and Blaye is a little more than six miles, but it shouldn’t be missed. Limestone cliffs rise up on one side and the Gironde River is on the other. Stone houses, built in the 19th century by sea captains, line the route and their fishing huts, built on stilts, can be seen in the water. The captains brought back plants from areas they visited and planted them near their homes. The amazing profusion of flowers, from far-away places, gives the road its name, Route of the Flowers.

Cadillac was also built as a fortified town to protect Bordeaux. The Castle of Roquetaillade here, is a great example of military architecture. It is considered one of the 10 most beautiful fortified castles in France and is still occupied by the noble family that can trace its roots back 700 years to when the castle was constructed. Cadillac Castle has luxurious furnished rooms from the time it was built and it has the largest collection of 16th and 17th century tapestries in France.

This is the area known for Sauternes, delicious dessert wines. And, yes, there is a connection to the car. The name of the town was adopted by Antoine Lumen de la Mothe, sieur de Cadillac. He later founded Detroit and the Cadillac was named for him. He was also the first governor of Louisiana.

Let’s dig deeper into the wine of Bordeaux region

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Left Bank vs. Right Bank Bordeaux: A Tasty Tug-of-War

Bonjour, wine lovers! 🍷 Let’s embark on a flavorful journey through the vineyards of Bordeaux, where the mighty Garonne and Dordogne rivers create two sides of an oenological coin: the Left Bank and Right Bank.

The Left Bank: Cab Is King

Picture the Left Bank as Bordeaux’s bold and daring sibling. Here, the gravelly soils (great for draining water) nurture Cabernet Sauvignon to perfection. These wines are like a suave, well-dressed Parisian: structured, intense, and elegant.

Think Pauillac, Margaux, and Saint-Estèphe – some of the most prestigious appellations in the world. Left Bank wines often boast flavors of dark fruits, tobacco, and leather, with tannins that promise to age gracefully. They’re perfect companions to rich dishes like roast lamb or steak au poivre.

The Right Bank: Merlot’s Magic

Hop across the river, and you’ll find the softer, more approachable side of Bordeaux. The Right Bank’s clay-heavy soils are Merlot heaven, producing wines that are lush, velvety, and bursting with ripe fruit flavors.

Here, Saint-Émilion and Pomerol shine. Right Bank wines are like your favorite cozy sweater – comforting, warm, and always a good idea. They pair beautifully with roasted duck, mushroom risotto, or even a hearty beef stew.

Which Bank Is Your Jam?

• • Left Bank = Structured & Serious
  • Right Bank = Smooth & Soulful

But why choose? Bordeaux is about exploring both sides of this liquid rivalry. Whether you’re team Left Bank or Right Bank, each sip is a testament to centuries of winemaking savoir-faire.

Ready to dive in? Santé!

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Bordeaux and the surrounding area is a great place to visit and visiting on a cruise is special. You get to marvel at the scenery, the wine, the castles, the architecture, and the tedious traveling happens at night while you sleep! Interested in a Bordeaux cruise? GetAway Travel can help you with options. We can be reached at: (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel