A cruise in Aquitaine : the great wines of Southern France

The glorious port city of Bordeaux, which lies on the Garonne River in Aquitaine, near the Atlantic coastline of southwest France, is one of the country's loveliest cities and arguably one of the finest in the world, a delightful blend of ancient and modern so well laid out and easy on the eye that it was used as the model for the 19th-century rebuilding of Paris. A major renovation of the city began in 1996. In 2007, Bordeaux's entire old city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was the first time such a large area had received this honor; Bordeaux's Heritage Site spans nearly 5,000 acres and includes 347 listed monuments and three churches that -- as key stops on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela -- were already listed as World Heritage Sites. The Bordelais have continued the good work of restoring their fine city. Once-derelict warehouses and shabby wharves on both banks of the river have been extensively renovated, with a large swath of its Left Bank turned into a lovely recreation area with bars, cafes, sports facilities and parkland. And that's not all. The city's magnificent 18th-century buildings and public squares have been cleaned up and access to it all made sustainably accessible via a network of tramlines. So, modern-day Bordeaux (also known as the wine capital of France and gateway to the Saint-Emilion area) is a city to savor, its broad boulevards and fine restaurants, art galleries, museums and lively neighborhoods so well worth exploring that, faced with only a few hours there, you'll feel torn between browsing on your own and taking a tour of vineyards and grand chateaux in the surrounding countryside. Our tip? Book a cruise that overnights there if possible, or be prepared to come back for a longer stay (or both).

The glorious port city of Bordeaux, which lies on the Garonne River in Aquitaine, near the Atlantic coastline of southwest France, is one of the country's loveliest cities and arguably one of the finest in the world, a delightful blend of ancient and modern so well laid out and easy on the eye that it was used as the model for the 19th-century rebuilding of Paris. A major renovation of the city began in 1996. In 2007, Bordeaux's entire old city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was the first time such a large area had received this honor; Bordeaux's Heritage Site spans nearly 5,000 acres and includes 347 listed monuments and three churches that -- as key stops on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela -- were already listed as World Heritage Sites. The Bordelais have continued the good work of restoring their fine city. Once-derelict warehouses and shabby wharves on both banks of the river have been extensively renovated, with a large swath of its Left Bank turned into a lovely recreation area with bars, cafes, sports facilities and parkland. And that's not all. The city's magnificent 18th-century buildings and public squares have been cleaned up and access to it all made sustainably accessible via a network of tramlines. So, modern-day Bordeaux (also known as the wine capital of France and gateway to the Saint-Emilion area) is a city to savor, its broad boulevards and fine restaurants, art galleries, museums and lively neighborhoods so well worth exploring that, faced with only a few hours there, you'll feel torn between browsing on your own and taking a tour of vineyards and grand chateaux in the surrounding countryside. Our tip? Book a cruise that overnights there if possible, or be prepared to come back for a longer stay (or both).

The Garonne and the Dore River combine near Bordeaux to create Western Europe's largest estuary, the Gironde. Serving many beautiful tows, the rivers flow through stunning countryside.

Blaye is located in Aquitaine in south-western France on the Gironde estuary. Blaye is the site of a magnificent and imposing citadel, built by Vaubin which overhangs the Estuary and affords magnificent panoramic views over the Gironde. Inside are the ruins of an old Gothic chateau which contains the tomb of Charibert II, king of Aquitaine, and son of Clotaire II. Blaye is also defended by the Fort Pate on an island in the river and the Fort Medoc on its left bank, both from the 17th century. From here you can also visit the village of Bourg, built on a rocky outcrop enclosed by medieval ramparts. In ancient times Blaye (Blavia) was a port of the Santones. Tradition states that the Frankish hero Roland was buried in its basilica, which was on the site of the citadel. It was early an important stronghold which played an important part in the wars against the English (who burnt it in 1352) and the French Wars of Religion (when it was the site of a Spanish naval victory in 1593). The duchess of Berry was imprisoned in its fortress in 1832-1833.

Cadillac is a village in the Gironde department in Aquitaine in south-western France directly across the Garonne river from Sauternes. Located on the right bank of the Garonne, the Grailly family, the lords of Cadillac, established this walled town in 1280 where the Dukes of epernon then built their magnificent chateau. See the gates and ramparts, the central square with its arches, ancient houses and the church dating from the 15th century. You can also visit the nearby chateau at Roquetaillade. This famous, magnificent medieval chateau is a listed historic monument dating from the 12th and 14th centuries. There is also a castle keep from the Middle Ages, the first ever Renaissance chimneys in the region (dating from 1600) and some unique 19th century interiors – created by Viollet-le-Duc and today listed as part of France's historic heritage.

Cadillac is a village in the Gironde department in Aquitaine in south-western France directly across the Garonne river from Sauternes. Located on the right bank of the Garonne, the Grailly family, the lords of Cadillac, established this walled town in 1280 where the Dukes of epernon then built their magnificent chateau. See the gates and ramparts, the central square with its arches, ancient houses and the church dating from the 15th century. You can also visit the nearby chateau at Roquetaillade. This famous, magnificent medieval chateau is a listed historic monument dating from the 12th and 14th centuries. There is also a castle keep from the Middle Ages, the first ever Renaissance chimneys in the region (dating from 1600) and some unique 19th century interiors – created by Viollet-le-Duc and today listed as part of France's historic heritage.

The glorious port city of Bordeaux, which lies on the Garonne River in Aquitaine, near the Atlantic coastline of southwest France, is one of the country's loveliest cities and arguably one of the finest in the world, a delightful blend of ancient and modern so well laid out and easy on the eye that it was used as the model for the 19th-century rebuilding of Paris. A major renovation of the city began in 1996. In 2007, Bordeaux's entire old city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was the first time such a large area had received this honor; Bordeaux's Heritage Site spans nearly 5,000 acres and includes 347 listed monuments and three churches that -- as key stops on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela -- were already listed as World Heritage Sites. The Bordelais have continued the good work of restoring their fine city. Once-derelict warehouses and shabby wharves on both banks of the river have been extensively renovated, with a large swath of its Left Bank turned into a lovely recreation area with bars, cafes, sports facilities and parkland. And that's not all. The city's magnificent 18th-century buildings and public squares have been cleaned up and access to it all made sustainably accessible via a network of tramlines. So, modern-day Bordeaux (also known as the wine capital of France and gateway to the Saint-Emilion area) is a city to savor, its broad boulevards and fine restaurants, art galleries, museums and lively neighborhoods so well worth exploring that, faced with only a few hours there, you'll feel torn between browsing on your own and taking a tour of vineyards and grand chateaux in the surrounding countryside. Our tip? Book a cruise that overnights there if possible, or be prepared to come back for a longer stay (or both).

The glorious port city of Bordeaux, which lies on the Garonne River in Aquitaine, near the Atlantic coastline of southwest France, is one of the country's loveliest cities and arguably one of the finest in the world, a delightful blend of ancient and modern so well laid out and easy on the eye that it was used as the model for the 19th-century rebuilding of Paris. A major renovation of the city began in 1996. In 2007, Bordeaux's entire old city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was the first time such a large area had received this honor; Bordeaux's Heritage Site spans nearly 5,000 acres and includes 347 listed monuments and three churches that -- as key stops on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela -- were already listed as World Heritage Sites. The Bordelais have continued the good work of restoring their fine city. Once-derelict warehouses and shabby wharves on both banks of the river have been extensively renovated, with a large swath of its Left Bank turned into a lovely recreation area with bars, cafes, sports facilities and parkland. And that's not all. The city's magnificent 18th-century buildings and public squares have been cleaned up and access to it all made sustainably accessible via a network of tramlines. So, modern-day Bordeaux (also known as the wine capital of France and gateway to the Saint-Emilion area) is a city to savor, its broad boulevards and fine restaurants, art galleries, museums and lively neighborhoods so well worth exploring that, faced with only a few hours there, you'll feel torn between browsing on your own and taking a tour of vineyards and grand chateaux in the surrounding countryside. Our tip? Book a cruise that overnights there if possible, or be prepared to come back for a longer stay (or both).