Beautiful Bordeaux

Welcome to the city of Bordeaux, at the heart of one of the world’s most famous wine regions. Famous for its 18th-century architecture that inspired the design of Paris and recognised with World Heritage status, Bordeaux is a city of grand boulevards, beautiful castles and legendary cellars. Step aboard the luxurious Scenic Diamond, meet your fellow guests and toast to the start of an exceptional journey. The ship remains docked in Bordeaux City overnight, giving you time to join the locals for a glass of wine by the water. Meals: Dinner.

Admire the tranquil riverside scenery as you cruise towards Libourne this morning. After lunch, join a tour to nearby Saint-Emilion – a World Heritage-listed village with thousands of years of history and beautifully preserved medieval buildings. Explore the unique Monolithic Church, mostly underground and carved directly into the limestone. This evening your Scenic Space-Ship docks overnight in Libourne, a beautiful 13th-century port and winemaking capital of northern Gironde. Take a moonlit stroll along the river or visit one of the city’s many cosy wine bars. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Spend this morning exploring Libourne and its surrounds. Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Libourne – a guided tour delving into the town’s rich history linked to the trade of wool, wine, salt and wood, with its enchanting 16th-century townhouse and striking Gothic church. Wines and vineyards of Saint-Emilion – journey through the countryside to one of the famous vineyards for a tasting of exceptional wines, primarily red blends of merlot and cabernet franc. Secrets of the Dordogne – Chateau de Vayres legends – a remarkable historic monument blending medieval, Renaissance and 17th-century architecture, with an impressive collection of tapestries and period furnishings. Cycling from Libourne – cycle through the rolling hills, vineyard-covered slopes and medieval chateaux of Fronsac with a refreshment stop overlooking Libourne. Paint and pour – join a local artist on the Sun Deck for a watercolour painting class while sipping local wines. Set sail this afternoon for Pauillac, where you will dock overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Spend this morning exploring Libourne and its surrounds. Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Libourne – a guided tour delving into the town’s rich history linked to the trade of wool, wine, salt and wood, with its enchanting 16th-century townhouse and striking Gothic church. Wines and vineyards of Saint-Emilion – journey through the countryside to one of the famous vineyards for a tasting of exceptional wines, primarily red blends of merlot and cabernet franc. Secrets of the Dordogne – Chateau de Vayres legends – a remarkable historic monument blending medieval, Renaissance and 17th-century architecture, with an impressive collection of tapestries and period furnishings. Cycling from Libourne – cycle through the rolling hills, vineyard-covered slopes and medieval chateaux of Fronsac with a refreshment stop overlooking Libourne. Paint and pour – join a local artist on the Sun Deck for a watercolour painting class while sipping local wines. Set sail this afternoon for Pauillac, where you will dock overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Set on the Gironde estuary at the heart of the Medoc wine route, Pauillac is surrounded by some of the best vineyards in Bordeaux. Scenic Freechoice: Medoc wine tasting by coach – travel through the picturesque Medoc region, home to the iconic Route des Chateaux, to a local winery for a tasting. Medoc wine tasting by bicycle – discover the spectacular Medoc countryside by e-bike, past grand aristocratic chateaux in the world’s leading red wine producing region, then sample the finest at a prestigious estate. Scenic Enrich: Classical concert at Chateau d’Agassac – one of the oldest winemaking establishments in the region, dating to the 13th century. Enjoy a glass of wine on arrival in the magnificent Medoc countryside as live musicians perform classical masterpieces exclusively for Scenic guests. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Relax on board as you cruise towards Cadillac. Perhaps enjoy a spa treatment or join a Scenic Culinaire cooking demonstration, exclusively available on Scenic Diamond sailing in France. Cadillac was founded in 1280 and retains many of its grand historic buildings. In 1701, French explorer Antoine de la Mothe took his name from the town and established the port that would become modern-day Detroit – and the Cadillac car is named in his honour. Scenic Diamond docks in Cadillac overnight, so you can appreciate its quiet village charm after the day visitors have departed. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Cadillac sits close to the Sauternes wine region, known for its exceptional sweet, fortified styles. With a full day here, you have the option to choose multiple excursions. Morning Scenic Freechoice: Sauternes by coach – drive through the picturesque Sauternes region with expert guides sharing insights into the winemaking process, from harvesting botrytised grapes to fermentation and ageing, followed by a tasting at a local estate. Sauternes by bike – cycle through the rolling vineyards of Sauternes to visit a local wine estate for a guided tour and tasting. Afternoon Scenic Freechoice: Roquetaillade Castle – a magnificent medieval fortress with a history stretching back to the 8th century, inhabited by the same family for more than 700 years. Biking in the Loupiac wine region – cycle the lush landscapes of the Gironde, admiring the breathtaking Chateau Benauge and riding through gently rolling backroads to Sainte-Croix-du-Mont. Chateau Toulouse-Lautrec – explore the rich history of the chateau and the life of its most famous resident, including the artist’s private apartments which still showcase some of his remarkable artworks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Return to Bordeaux City to discover more of its culinary and cultural delights. Scenic Freechoice: Guided tour of Bordeaux – discover the highlights of the city by coach and on foot, admiring the magnificent Gothic cathedral, Place de la Bourse and Cailhau Gate, with free time to explore independently. Cycling tour of Bordeaux – pedal through historic Bordeaux on a guided cycling tour, crossing beautiful bridges, admiring the Royal Gate and Palais Rohan, and sampling canele, a local custard cake. Shop with a chef and Scenic Culinaire – join the ship’s chef at a local food market before returning to Scenic Diamond for a hands-on cooking demonstration in Scenic Culinaire. Please note: this activity is not available on Mondays as markets in France are closed. Bordeaux in the shadow of WWII – an immersive walking tour uncovering Bordeaux’s dramatic wartime history, with stories of resistance, sacrifice and survival. Back on board, enjoy a special tasting of fresh oysters delivered straight from the waters of Arcachon Bay. Scenic Enrich: Bassins des Lumieres – after the doors have closed to the public, be welcomed with Champagne to Bordeaux’s former WWII submarine base, now an impressive digital art installation, for an exclusive show curated just for Scenic guests. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Continue your exploration of Bordeaux with a variety of excursions before cruising towards Bourg. Scenic Freechoice: Cite du Vin museum – take a local tram to this world-class wine museum for an engaging and interactive journey of wine discovery across nearly 20 themed exhibits. Tour Bordeaux by motorbike and sidecar – ride through Bordeaux’s historic Chartrons district, the stylish Rue Notre Dame, the riverside quays along the Garonne and the vibrant Saint-Pierre neighbourhood. Visit Arcachon – a guided walking tour of this charming bayside town, renowned for its seaside atmosphere and unique architecture, ending near the Baltard Market for free time to savour local seafood. Eleanor of Aquitaine – step into the world of the most powerful woman of the Middle Ages in an immersive journey through Bordeaux’s historic heart, bringing Eleanor’s extraordinary legacy as Queen of both France and England to life. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Your Scenic Space-Ship docks in Bourg today, a picturesque town set on a rocky promontory on the banks of the Dordogne – a maze of ancient alleyways, moats and bell towers. Scenic Freechoice: Bourg with Carriages Museum – a guided walk through the village’s charming streets to the historic Citadel, then a visit to the fascinating Horse Carriage Museum within its grounds. Historic Saintes – a tour of this charming town steeped in 2,000 years of history, including the Arch of Germanicus and the World Heritage-listed Saint-Eutrope Basilica, exclusively available for Scenic guests. Full day excursion to Cognac – the fortified city renowned for producing some of the world’s finest brandy, with a guided walking tour, included lunch, and a tour and tasting at the estate of famed Remy Martin. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Arrive in Blaye this morning, set at a strategic position on the confluence of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. This petite hamlet is home to a World Heritage-listed citadel constructed to protect Bordeaux city from enemy attack. Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Blaye – stroll through the charming town and its impressive 17th-century Vauban Citadel, with its historic significance, cultural traditions and architectural treasures brought to life by a local guide. Active walking tour of Blaye – an active tour of the Citadel with a local guide, gaining insight into the defence system created by the famous architect Sebastien Vauban. Cycling along the Captain’s Road – named in honour of WWI Captains who chose to purchase their homes along this beautiful stretch of waterway, passing charming riverside villages, ancient villa ruins, splendid manor houses and limestone quarries. Visit Chateau de La Roche Courbon – an elegantly restored Renaissance chateau, still family owned and inhabited, with superb gardens that allow you to leap back in time. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Your cruise concludes this morning in Bordeaux. Disembark after breakfast, taking with you a lifetime of memories from one of the world’s great wine regions. Meals: Breakfast.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. The Gironde, Dordogne and Garonne waterways are part of a tidal river system which results in changing water levels – every effort is made to keep to the published itinerary however it may be amended based on tides. Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to Scenic’s terms and conditions for full details. An ETIAS visa waiver will be required for Australian passport holders travelling to Europe from September 2026. Onboard accounts can only be settled with Euro cash or Visa and Mastercard credit cards. There is no elevator access between the Diamond and Sun Decks or Jewel and Sapphire Decks – these are accessed via stairs. Scenic Culinaire has limited capacity and reservations are made on board.