Group Travel Tour Operator and DMC for Bordeaux, France
Beautiful Bordeaux, Bay of Oysters Cruise and Famous Vineyards – New and Improved Itinerary
-
Bordeaux Wines and Spirits Store ©Teddy Verneuil
-
Bordeaux Bridge ©Teddy Verneuil
-
Bordeaux Cite du Vin - City of Wine ©Sophie Duboscq
-
Bordeaux Palais Rohan - Rohan Palace ©Sophie Duboscq
-
Bordeaux Miroir d'eau - Water Mirror ©Remy Martineau
Bordeaux, hub of the famed wine-growing regions, is a port city on the Garonne River in south-western France and home to the world’s largest urban UNESCO World Heritage site. Boasting impressive architecture including its Gothic Cathedrale Saint-Andre. One would instantly recognise the perfect symmetry of Place de la Bourse to the sculpted intricacies of palaces. A contemporary addition to this city’s architecture is La Cité du Vin, a museum resembling a wine decanter with extensive exhibitions to uncover the complex world of wine.
Dates
On request
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Depart the UK
Take the ferry from Dover to Calais or Dunkerque and continue to Rouen for an overnight stop. Dinner will be at the hotel this evening.
Day 2
Travel to Bordeaux via the Loire Valley
Depart after breakfast and continue the journey to Bordeaux which will be our base for the next 4 nights. En-route we may make an optional stop at Tours in the Loire Valley.
After check-in there may be time to relax before enjoying dinner at the hotel this evening.
Day 3
Bordeaux City Tour and River Cruise (driver’s rest day)
Enjoy a guided tour of the city by local tourist train and discover Bordeaux’s exceptional architecture, art and places of worship. The city of Bordeaux is among France’s most exciting, vibrant and dynamic cities. It’s beautiful neoclassical architecture has been restored while world-class architects have designed a bevy of striking new buildings. Furthermore, half the city is UNESCO-listed. It is therefore the largest urban World Heritage site! Steeped in history, and famed for its unique art de vivre, Bordeaux boasts a rich heritage and houses numerous historic and modern monuments. See the Opera house, the pride and joy of the city, the Pey-Berland Tower, the Saint-André Cathedral, the Porte Cailhau, and the Place de la Bourse. The vibrant district of Bassins à Flot symbolises the Bordeaux of tomorrow. It stretches opposite the Chaban Delmas lift bridge, the city’s new iconic landmark. After the tour, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.
In the afternoon, maybe visit the ‘Cite Du Vin’ a unique cultural centre dedicated to the universal, living heritage of wine, offering a spectacular journey around the world. Bordeaux is surrounded by France’s largest area of vineyards and the city’s famed wine-making tradition has produced more fine wine than any other region in the world.
Greatdays can arrange an optional gourmet lunch cruise or afternoon scenic cruise on the Garonne river (please ask for details).
Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Day 4
Grand Old Villas and Bay of Oysters Cruise
Drive to Arcachon. On arrival we will enjoy a some local Canelés cake with tea or coffee before embarking on a tour of the medieval centre by tourist train and discover the charming “Ville d’Hiver” |(Winter Town) district, where well-known architects left their impressive traces by building extravagant villas.
There will be some free time for lunch or an alternative Oyster Tasting experience can be arranged.
Continue with a 3 hours leisurely sightseeing cruise with an English speaking guide around the Bay of Oysters nature reserve. See Arcachon from the water, the vast oyster beds, the fisherman’s stilt houses, the villas of Cap Ferrat and the world-famous Sand Dunes of Pilat, the biggest sand formation of Europe.
Return to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure.
Day 5
Saint-Émilion and the Vineyards
Enjoy a guided panoramic coach tour highlighting the famous vineyards surrounding Saint-Émilion followed by a walking tour of the medieval old town and underground monuments which was awarded UNESCO world heritage status in 1999.
After the tour there will be some free time to get some lunch. The town is small but perfectly formed and built in a natural ampitheatre on top of a limestone hill. It offers visitors the ideal mix of history and excellent food and drink.
In the afternoon we will visit a local Grand Cru winery for a tour and tasting of their speciality wine before heading back to Bordeaux.
Enroute a stop may be made at the Bassin Illuminare in Bordeaux, a 3D art experience located in a former submarine base and one of the largest digital arts centres in the world.
Return to the hotel for a final evening and dinner.
Day 6
Depart Bordeaux
It’s time to leave Bordeaux behind, but you can always take some wine with you! Drive towards Rouen for an overnight stay, stopping en-route for lunch.
Dinner is at the hotel this evening.
Day 7
Return to UK
Depart after breakfast and drive to Calais or Dunkerque for the ferry crossing to the UK
4* Mercure Bordeaux Chateau Chartrons Hotel – inspected by Greatdays staff in 2026
Housed in former renovated cellars, Mercure Bordeaux Château Chartrons offers a restaurant under a glass roof opening onto a patio, a cozy bar/lounge area, garden with terrace, and fitness centre. All bedrooms feature modern en-suite facilities, desk, safe, minibar and flat-screen TV and free wi-fi throughout. On site free parking for 2 coaches.
The hotel is the ideal base for exploring the châteaux and vineyards of Bordeaux and is a 30-minute walk from the old town but there is public transport available.
| 7 days / 6 nights | Half Twin | Single Supplement |
| On request | Price on request | Price on request |
