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  • BE: +32 (0) 2 588 76 91
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Bordeaux wine region

Boat and bike tour: the best of Bordeaux wine route

This bike and boat river cruise winds down the Garonne, the estuary of the Gironde and finally the Dordogne. You bike through the most prestigious vineyards like Sauternes, Medoc and Saint-Emilion, and pass by Bordeaux and the nice villages of the Gironde country.

Reference VB-A0801
  • Itinerant trip
  • 8 days
  • Easy
  • From april 14 to october 27, 2018
  • Minimum age 12 years old
From
Prices
1074€ / pers.
Book here
  • Itinerary
    • This bike and boat tour takes you to the most beautiful places and vineyards around Bordeaux. You embark in the south of Bordeaux, where the Garonne flows, and go each day on a loop to discover the villages and vineyards of Entre-Deux-Mers, Sauternes and Graves. The boat will then head to Bordeaux. After a bike ride of the city, you will be able to stroll around. Afterwards, the boat will sail to the Estuary of the Gironde. You cycle on the Medoc wine route first, and then on the Cotes de Bourg wine route just across the estuary. Finally, the boat will aim at Libourne and the prestigious vineyards of Saint-Emilion. This comprehensive tour of the Bordeaux region will delight wine lovers, but also anyone interested in the discovery of the landscape and cultural heritage of the region. You will live in the pace of the South West of France and enjoy the comfort of a hotel-boat with a nice crew.

    Day 1
     
     

    Arrival in Castets-en-Dorthe

    Bike
    15km
    You board on your hotel-boat, named MS Bordeaux, in the middle of the afternoon (optional transfer from Bordeaux). You warm up on a first short excursion around Castets. You ride through the countryside on quiet roads surrounded by walnut trees, kiwi orchards and vegetable fields.

    Day 2
     
     

    Loop ride through Entre-Deux-Mers, Saint-Macaire and La Réole

    Bike
    30-50km
    Today’s itinerary takes you to the medieval village of Saint-Macaire which flourished thanks to wine trade. You can make a stop in the Domaine de Malagar, former family residence of the French writer François Mauriac. You ride further through the countryside to La Réole, another medieval village on the shores of the Garonne river. You ride back to your departure point on a nice cycle path along the Canal de Garonne.

    At the end of the afternoon, the boat navigates to Loupiac.

    Day 3
     
     

    Loop ride of Loupiac, Graves, Sauternes and Cadillac

    Bike
    50km
    You bike through the vineyards of Sauternes and Graves. Your tour is punctuated by many remarkable places, such as the village of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont offering an exceptional panorama of the region, or the castle of Roquetaillade.

    You also pass prestigious wine estates like Château d’Yquem or Château de Suduirant among many others. Your bike ride ends in the bastide of Cadillac, founded in the 13th century by the English.

    At the end of the afternoon, the boat navigates to Bordeaux. From the deck, you will be able to enjoy the most beautiful view on the city, embracing the Pont de Pierre, the Place de la Bourse and the Quais des Chartrons.

    Day 4
     
     

    Loop ride in Bordeaux

    Bike
    10-50km
    Take time to visit Bordeaux by bike, observe the architectural jewels built over the centuries from La Porte Cailhau to the water mirror and relish in the bustle of the city. You will have many options for cultural visits or shopping. Those who like cycling over anything else can ride on the Roger Lapébie cycle path to Créon.

    Day 5
     
     

    Ride of Margaux, Médoc

    Bike
    45km
    The boat navigates to Lamarque.

    Today’s route takes you to the most famous estates of the Médoc wine region. From Lamarque, Château Lamothe Bergeron pops up quickly on your way, followed by other famous names just as prestigious as Poujeaux, Issan, Prieuré Lichine and last but not least Margaux. You will come up many opportunities to taste the wines and meet the locals.

    Once you are back to the boat, it will navigate to the other side of the estuary to the village of Bourg.

    Day 6
     
     

    Loop ride of the Cotes de Bourg wine region, Blaye

    Bike
    37km
    You ride on quiet little roads, crisscrossing a hilly landscape planted with vineyards as far as the eye can see. Beautiful monuments stand here and there, like the Romanesque church of Bayon or the many castles from the wine estates like Tayac, Eyquen or Marquis de Vauban. You bike on a beautiful cornice along the estuary before arriving on the ruins of a Gallo-Roman villa. Then stop in the citadel of Blaye and venture into the vaults of the fortress Vauban. You then return to Bourg where your boat is waiting for you.

    At the end of the afternoon, the boat navigates to Libourne.

    Day 7
     
     

    Loop ride of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol

    Bike
    25-45km
    After a tour in Libourne, your day trip will take you to the famous vineyards of Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. The typical medieval village of Saint-Emilion is worth a stop to stroll through the medieval streets and visit of the monolithic church. You continue through the vineyards and along the way, you’ll find the most famous estates, Angelus, Trottevieille, Grand Corbin and Petrus to name just a few.

    Day 8
     
     

    Departure from Libourne

    Landing after the breakfast on board (optional transfer to Bordeaux before 9h30).
  • Accommodation

    • Lower deck cab

    You sleep the whole trip on a boat-hotel with a cosy atmosphere, the MS Bordeaux. The common areas, lounge, bar, restaurant and terrace, have been furnished with wooden furniture and warm colours to be in harmony with the environment. The boat is equipped with about 40 cabins, each cabin has a window to the outside and its own bathroom with shower, washbasin, WC.

    Cabins on the lower deck (7,5 to 8m²) have carpeted floors, TV, air conditioning and 2 separate foldaway beds.
    * Example of the type of accommodation

    Upper deck cab

    The cabins on the upper deck have larger windows. For the rest, they have the same equipment as the cabins of the lower deck.

    * Example of the type of accommodation

    Lower deck suite

    The suites are more spacious (11,6m²). They have in addition a small seating area and 2 seperate beds, which can be doubled on request.
    * Example of the type of accommodation
  • Bikes, luggage and documents
    • Bikes

    On your arrival day, we provide you with:

    • a touring bike adjusted to your size or a tandem
    • equipped : front rack pack with an integrated file compartment, saddlebag, helmet (on demand), reflective vest, repairing toolkit with patches etc.

    We also provide you with the appropriate equipment for your children : baby seat, bike trailer or trailer bike depending on their age and size.
    Electric bikes are also available for adults (+1m55).

  • Practical information

    • To get to the tour location:

    • Departure point : Castets-en-Dorthe
    • Arrival point : Libourne

    The closest fast train station are Bordeaux Saint-Jean and Libourne. If you fly, you will land at the airport of Bordeaux Mérignac. Private transfers can be organized from and to Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station : on reservation, price €50/pers per transfer.


    Parking:

    If you drive, you can park your car in one of the secure car park near Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station. The rate is €50 per week (subject to change). The location and coordinates of the car park will be given in your travel documents.


    Meeting time:

    Boarding is scheduled at 3.00pm the first day. On the last day, the landing is planned after breakfast. If you have booked a return transfer to Bordeaux, this will be done before 9.30am.

    .
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