“Bonjour Bordeaux!”, I thought and smiled as I stepped out of the Bordeaux airport terminal. The first thing that greeted me was – why didn’t it surprise me? – a vineyard! I was excited about the week ahead. Bordeaux and the surrounding region, famous the world over for its wines, had been high on my list of areas to visit in Europe. When Avalon Waterways invited me for an 8-day cruise from Bordeaux along the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, I didn’t have to think twice! The cruise, aptly called “Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, Wineries and Charming Villages“, would allow me to explore the city itself as well as visit famous villages such as Saint-Émilion and Cognac. Naturally, a sizeable portion of the itinerary is dedicated to wine: visits to chateaux (wine estates), wine-tasting, wine pairings and even wine blending.
Vineyard at Bordeaux Airport
This was my third cruise with Avalon Waterways – the previous two were along the Danube River and Rhône River (France) – so I already knew what to expect: a comfortable and well-equipped ship, a spacious suite with panoramic views and a fantastic bed, interesting excursions, top-notch food and a terrific crew. They didn’t disappoint.
Avalon Artistry II moored in the brown waters (locals call it ‘cafe au lait’) of the Garonne River in Bordeaux.
I was greeted with big smiles and hello’s the second I stepped onboard the Avalon Artistry II. In the week that followed, the crew, from the captain and the cruise director to the restaurant/bar staff, were friendly, attentive and keen to help. And they were always up for a chat and a laugh.
A warm welcome onboard!
One thing I love about Avalon Waterways is its great variety of excursions. Though wine was the big theme of this cruise, there were also many excursions and activities that delve into the history and food of the region.
Chateau de la Brede, the home of Montesquieu, the French philosopher who famously devised the concept of separation of powers in government.
But it was clear from the start that this was a cruise for wine lovers. The itinerary – from Bordeaux to the Gironde estuary and the Médoc region, to the Dordogne River and up to Libourne and Saint-Émilion – certainly reflected this.
Château Lamothe Bergeron in Medoc, one of numerous wine estates we visited for a wine-tasting.
It’s a relatively short cruise, compared with other river cruises, through some of the best wine-producing areas in the world. The landscapes, mostly flat with some low hills draped with vines as far as the eye can see, aren’t that interesting. For more varied landscapes, I would recommend the Rhine or Danube.
Avalon Artistry II in the Gironde Estuary.
What you will find on this Bordeaux cruise, alongside Avalon’s wonderful crew, excursions and suites, are world-renowned chateaux (wine estates), charming villages, centuries-old fortresses and a laid-back lifestyle that speaks volumes. The locals are incredibly friendly (yes, they are French) and hospitable, and proud of their heritage.
The beautiful Château Cos d’Estournel 
Saint-Émilion 
Lovely people and superb wines!
Onboard Avalon Artistry II
Panorama Suite
I sailed on the Avalon Artistry II, one of the newly-refurbished European Suite ships. This was my third cruise with Avalon Waterways so it felt a bit like a homecoming. My Panorama Suite, with wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor windows, was wonderful. The bed faces the massive windows, ensuring direct views of the passing landscapes while I laid in bed. The Suite ships have amazing beds and this was no different – I wish I had that bed at home!
I love that bed! 
Lying in bed and enjoying the view
The bathroom was spacious enough and easy to move around in. There was also sufficient closet space with bathrobes and a safe, as well as a writing table, a comfortable sitting corner, and a mini-bar. The television offered numerous channels and a good selection of movies.
Facilities
My suite was located close to the back of the ship, near the Club Lounge, a cozy lounge with comfortable chairs, board games, a coffee-making machine, a water station and snacks.
Club Lounge 
Skydeck 
The ship has its own fleet of e-bikes.
The ship, with a capacity of around 160 guests, never felt crowded. I could always find a quiet corner up on the Sky Deck or in one of the lounges to relax, read a book or have a coffee.
In addition, there was a compact but well-equipped gym, which I used once, and had all to myself!
The gym
Meals were served in the Panorama Restaurant. Guests who wished to have something lighter could retreat to the Panorama Bistro, where a smaller menu was offered. One thing I appreciate about the table layout is that guests can choose to sit at a table for two or four. In addition, there are larger tables that seat up to six guests. Travelling alone, I had the choice of sitting by myself, or with another guest, or joining a larger group.
Dining with a view at the Panorama Restaurant
The main lounge, where guests gathered for the daily briefings, Happy Hour and evening entertainment, is the bright and airy Panorama Lounge.
Panorama Lounge
Food
I was very impressed with the quality and variety of the meals. Breakfasts and lunches were in the form of a buffet. On this particular cruise, the chef was obviously specialised in meat dishes as all of them were simply exquisite. I love vegetables so I was very happy with the wide choice of salads and cooked vegetables for lunch every day.
Lunch spread 
Delicious meats and fish, and veggies for lunch.
Dinner each evening was a four-course menu. In addition to the menu, there were several dishes such as the steak and Caesar salad, which were available every day. I loved the fact that the food is (mostly) locally sourced, and changed every day to reflect where we were. Typical French dishes such as coq-au-vin, escargot and even frog legs featured on the menus. When we were in Blaye, one of the main course dishes was Blaye asparagus, a well-known specialty of the town.
Escargot 
Dishes were often regional specialties.
Wines, included in the meals, are changed almost every day. We drank Bordeaux wines in Bordeaux, Medoc wines when we moored in the Gironde Estuary, and Saint-Émilion wines when we spent the night in nearby Libourne.
Local wines were served
Daily talks
On the first evening, we gathered in the Panorama Lounge for a welcome drink and safety briefing by Valentin, the Captain. This was followed by the first ‘Port Talk’ by Marko, the Cruise Director. Each day, Marko provided in his ‘Port Talk’ an overview of activities and excursions the following day, shared any logistical information and answered any questions.
Excursions and activities
Sailing times on this Bordeaux cruise never lasted more than a few hours, which meant that there was sufficient time to stroll around the villages or embark on excursions. And the excursion choices were plentiful and varied. Almost all the excursions and activities are included, which sometimes made it very difficult to choose.
Rémy-Martin distillery in Cognac
Among my favourites were the visits to Château de la Bréde (the home of Montesquieu) and the Rémy-Martin distillery in Cognac, the half-day trip to Saint-Émilion, and the day trip to Arcachon on the Atlantic coast. There were also other activities like e-bike rides through the vineyards, visits to numerous chateaux, wine-blending and wine-pairing experiences at a wine estate, and cultural attractions such as the Bassins des Lumières in Bordeaux.
Lovely Arcachon was a highlight of the cruise.
Guests could also choose to skip any of the daily excursions and venture out on their own. In Bordeaux, I chose to walk around the city on my own. Marko, the Cruise Director, gave me a public transport card so I could easily make my way around. In Pauillac, I decided to stroll around the village and stumbled upon a 200-year-old winery, where I got to do a wine-tasting. The wines were sublime and the futuristic cellar was just stunning!
The futuristic cellar of Château Grand-Puy Ducasse
Luckily, there were also various activities to burn off those calories! Alex, the Adventure Host on the ship, led yoga sessions every morning, and took guests out on bike rides or hikes. I joined Alex on a power walk around the stunning Blaye Citadel one morning and it was a wonderful experience to not only get some exercise in but also have this UNESCO World Heritage site all to ourselves.
Blaye Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Evening entertainment
There was always some form of entertainment in the evenings at the Panorama Lounge. One evening, a local rock singer came onboard and gave us an unforgettable show! A DJ and singer joined us on another, and the other evenings were filled with pub quizzes, games and karaoke.
This performer was sensational!
Supporting local communities
Another thing I greatly appreciate about Avalon Waterways is its commitment to supporting local communities. I noticed that local guides were always utilised and that the tour and activity providers were primarily small local businesses.
Our guide and the oyster farmer gave us a great presentation, and amazing oysters!
We were treated to incredibly delicious oysters at a family-owned farm near Arcachon, given a wine-tasting workshop by the sommelier of a wine museum in Bordeaux, and during a visit to Fort Médoc, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortress, local businesses were invited to showcase their products, from wines and macaroons to oysters and honey! That initiative added so much more to the visit; we not only learned about the history of the fortress but also got to taste food products from the area.
Small businesses were showcased during our excursion to Fort Medoc.
Needless to say, I had a very enjoyable time on this Bordeaux cruise with Avalon Waterways. The excursions and tour guides were great, the company onboard – a good mix of ages and nationalities – was wonderful, and the food/wines and service were excellent. If you’re already familiar with European river cruises along the great rivers such as the Rhine or Danube, and you’re interested in the Bordeaux region, this ‘niche’ cruise offers something different: a comfortable and insightful introduction to Bordeaux and its wine regions, and a fascinating peek into rural life in this part of France.
Note: I was hosted by Avalon Waterways on this Bordeaux cruise. As always, all opinions expressed above are mine, and mine only.
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