Bordeaux River Cruises

Embark on a leisurely Bordeaux river cruise along the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and the Gironde estuary. Immerse yourself in French gastronomy as you take life one day, and one vineyard, at a time. Indulge your palate at châteaux and local markets and be treated to beautiful scenery. Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wander cobblestone streets and cycle the back roads of Bordeaux on a French river cruise.

Popular River Cruises View all

8 Days Bordeaux to Bordeaux

Operator: Uniworld River Cruises

From 2,499
Save 1,251

8 Days Bordeaux to Bordeaux

Operator: Viking River Cruises

From 2,799
Save 500

11 Days Bordeaux to Bordeaux

Operator: Scenic

From 6,545
Save 10,295

8 Days Bordeaux to Bordeaux

Operator: Avalon River Cruises

From 4,089
Save 874

The Rivers of the Bordeaux

The Rivers of the Bordeaux

Wine and Waterways

Bordeaux is synonymous with wine, and cruising on its rivers - primarily the Garonne and Dordogne - offers unparalleled access to some of the world’s most renowned vineyards. Take a vineyard tour right from the port and enjoy tastings of Bordeaux’s famous reds and whites.

The Gironde Estuary

This is where the Garonne and Dordogne rivers meet, forming one of the most expansive estuaries in Europe. Its waters are a unique mix of salt and freshwater, creating a diverse ecosystem. Be on the lookout for the region’s specific fishing huts, known as 'carrelets,' perched on stilts.

Historical Richness

The rivers run through areas steeped in history, from ancient Roman ruins to medieval fortresses. Towns like Blaye offer glimpses of centuries-old architecture right from the river, such as the 17th-century Citadelle de Blaye, designed by the famed engineer Vauban.

Seasonal Timing

Spring and Fall offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Bordeaux's vineyards are especially picturesque during the Fall harvest season from late September to late October.

River Cruise Operators in the BordeauxFeatured Operators View all

Uniworld
Once you step onboard the world’s finest and most awarded river cruise line for the first time, we are quite sure the refined luxury onboard our fleet...more will sweep you off your feet. We draw our inspiration for the design philosophy of every one of the 17 ships in our fleet directly from the destination in which they sail. The craftsmanship, the attention to detail, the art onboard, the handcrafted furniture and intricacy of the fabrics are lovingly assembled to be a masterpiece in and of itself. Stepping onboard is to step into a world of beautiful colours and one-of-a-kind details that truly bring your destination to life. Crafting experiences you can’t find anywhere else, means continuing to elevate Uniworld to new heights year after year. From the addition of four new Super Ships in Egypt, Vietnam, Portugal and Italy, to the award winning service that comes from the heart, we’re putting even more emphasis on what’s onboard to enhancing several itineraries to accommodate guest’s diverse tastes for the future. We truly look forward to welcoming our Australian guests onboard.
Bordeaux Rivers105
Budget:Luxury
Known For:Boutique River Cruising
Fleet Size:18
Scenic
With Scenic, it’s more than a 5-star river cruise...it’s a seamless journey from start to finish that places you, our guest, at the heart of everything...more we do. It’s taking you to extraordinary regions and immersing you in meaningful and enriching experiences. It’s exquisite cuisine, indulgent wellness, and a world-class team who will anticipate your every need. You'll find the difference is in the details with Scenic: the innovative ship design, expertly trained crew, immersive journey, and an unrivalled focus on health and safety protocols.
Bordeaux Rivers112
Budget:Premium & Luxury
Known For:Luxury Cruising
Fleet Size:14
Avalon
One of our favourite sayings that describes Avalon Waterways is ‘the possibilities are as wide open as the views’. From Europe to the Galapagos and Asia,...more you can cruise in relaxed luxury with Avalon Waterways, with choices as unique as you. Avalon offers you a range of choices from excursions, dining options, activities that help you tailor your experience. Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Bordeaux Rivers172
Budget:Premium
Known For:Panorama Suites
Fleet Size:16

Discover Must do experiences and highlights in the Bordeaux region

Château Dining
Château Dining

Enjoy a meal at an age-old château, owned by consecutive generations who have perfected regional recipes and wine making techniques that will leave your palate aquiver.

Cycle the Route de la Corniche Fleurie
Cycle the Route de la Corniche Fleurie

Pedal your way along the riverside paths and charming roads that weave through scenic countryside and quaint villages between Blaye and Bourg.

Oui, Chef!
Oui, Chef!

Shop the local food markets of Bordeaux and be guided on French cooking techniques as you whip up (and devour) a deliciously authentic meal.

Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion

This picturesque medieval village is enshrined as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and nestled amongst sprawling vineyards. Its fine wine is matched by its stunning architecture, led by its Monolithic Church piercing the skyline.

A Glass Among the Vines
A Glass Among the Vines

Breathe in the scent of woody barrels hanging in the cool cellar air, raise a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon in the vineyards of Médoc and sip a dessert wine in amidst the twisting vines of the Sauternes region.

Recent Reviews What our clients are saying about their cruises through the Bordeaux region

Delightful   , VIC, Australia, Jul 2025
Our trip was better than we could have hoped. Viking lived up to its expected reputation with food, drinks, service and entertainment. What was unexpected was the special dining experience off the boat at a chateau, which was delightful. The itinerary looked repetitious on paper, but also worked wonderfully. I would recommend this trip highly.
Relaxing River Cruise in French regions with few other tourists     , SA, Australia, Jul 2025
This being the third Avalon cruise I have booked with Global Journeys through Hannah, I know what to expect. River cruising is the best way to be a tourist and surpasses ocean cruising with 1000s of other passengers. Based around Bordeaux we visited chateaux and villages where there were few tourists, apart from locals, a stark contrast from other parts ...read more of France. Every day there were various options from which to choose. The passengers were mainly retirees, so it was an older crowd compared to a previous Avalon cruise. The focus was strongly on wineries, so would appeal strongly to those that appreciate and understand the finer things in life. In my case, I, however stuck to Orangina. This is the 12th trip that I have booked with Hannah and expect to continue with Global Journeys due to their efficient service.
8 DAY CHATEAUX, RIVERS & WINE     , VIC, Australia, Nov 2023
Our Viking river cruise far exceeded our expectations. The crew provided exceptional service, the food was sensational the tour guides were professional, fun & informative, and the comfortable cabins were spacious and cleaned regularly. We will only book with Viking for future cruises and definitely recommend them to our friends. We also wanted to ...read more thank Georgie from Global Journeys for her great communication and help with our Viking holiday including organising our flights to ensure we have a seamless experience.😊
Enjoyable Bordeaux Cruise   , SA, Australia, Oct 2023
We didn't get off to a good start as the included transfer to the ship was 40 minutes late to meet us at Bordeaux airport but things improved from there. Overall the cruise was very good and well organized. The ship is in good condition and the cabin was well appointed, comfortable and very well serviced. The cabin size however is on the small side ...read more compared to other river cruise companies we have cruised with but we knew that when we booked and we know that you don't spend a lot of time in the cabin other than sleeping. The bathroom however was tight.

The food and service was very good and drinks were free flowing. The included excursions were all very good and the guides for the excursions were excellent. The passenger mix was about 50% Americans with the balance comprising Australians, British and Malaysians. We did enjoy the cruise but for a cruise longer than 8 days we would choose a river cruise company with larger cabins.

Explore More Your guide to traveling through Bordeaux

Bordeaux's Waterways & Wine

07 November, 2023

Bordeaux's Waterways & Wine

Nestled in the southwest of France, lies Bordeaux - a region renowned for its gastronomic prowess and world-class wines. Be treated to breathtaking views of lush vineyards,...