The Garonne and Dordogne rivers play an important role in on Bordeaux's wine routes and as such, many of the key regions are accessible by boat. Generally offered as half day cruise, many cruise boats leave Bordeaux centre in the early afternoon, destined for wine tasting near the sloping vineyards of Blaye or Bourg or the home of sweet wine – Sauternes. Either the outward or return journey will be by coach and the number of participants is limited to 45. A day long cruise in the Entre-deux-Mers features a visit to a barrel cooperage and château lunch before returning via both tributaries.
Simply go for a wine tasting cruise from the Cité du Vin, for an hour and a half ride along the banks of the Garonne. Finally if you are romantic, embark at dusk for a dinner cruise from Bordeaux aboard the boat Sicambre.
For further information, meet our teams in Bordeaux Tourist Office and La cité du vin wine tour desk.
Where ?
Show visits
by territory
or near your home
What ?
Whether for an hour, an afternoon, a day or a week, taking to the water provides an exciting and relaxing way to visit the city and its surroundings.
The Gironde estuary is the biggest in Europe, over 80km long! Both river banks are famous winery regions: on the left of the river is the Médoc and on the right is the Blaye and Bourg region.