Private Tour: Along the French Wine Route by the River 8 Days 7 Nights (Bordeaux, Cussac-Fort-Medoc, Royan, Libourne)

• Pickup from Bordeaux Airport and travel by private van to Cussac-Fort-Médoc.
• Stop to admire the scenic landscapes along the Garonne River extending toward the Gironde Estuary.
• Get acquainted with the estuary island scenery, including Cazeau Island and Patiras Island, choosing vantage points from the shore depending on local conditions before checking in.

Visibility of the river islands depends on viewpoints and weather conditions. There is no island landing scheduled for today.

hotel Overnight Cussac-Fort-Médoc · example hotel Hotel in Cussac-Fort-Médoc (4-star) or similar

• Travel along the Médoc wine route through Saint-Julien and Haut-Médoc
• Enjoy the vineyard atmosphere around Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, and Château Mouton Rothschild, with the option to stop for wine tastings according to reserved time slots
• Travel overland along the estuary to Royan, an Atlantic seaside resort town
• Stroll around to admire vintage villas, gardens, shops, and the harbor, and visit the town church rebuilt in the 1950s

Vineyard visits and wine tastings must be booked in advance before traveling. Admission and wine tasting fees are not included in the van price. Passing by the châteaux does not include admission inside.

hotel Overnight Royan · example hotel Hotel in Royan (4-star) or equivalent

• Depart from Royan to Rochefort to see the old town and buildings related to the history of the French Navy
• Stop by the Corderie Royale, a historic rope factory that once produced ropes for naval ships
• Continue to La Rochelle, a coastal city on the Bay of Biscay, and take a break for lunch at your leisure
• Walk through the old town and harbor, passing the Grosse-Horloge gate, Renaissance arcaded buildings, half-timbered houses, decorated mansions, and the city cathedral
• Head back through Royan before traveling overland to stay overnight in Libourne on the Dordogne River

Today covers multiple cities; an early departure and proper time management for visits are recommended. Admission and meals are not included in the van price.

hotel Overnight Libourne · example hotel Hotel in Libourne (4-star) or equivalent

• From Libourne, head to Saint-Émilion to stroll around the medieval town and opt to visit underground historic monuments, including the Monolithic Church carved from rock
• Visit vineyards to learn about winemaking, with options to taste wine and local products
• Return for a walking tour of Libourne at the confluence of the Isle and Dordogne rivers, passing Saint John the Baptist Church, Abel Surchamp Square, and the harbor clock tower
• Travel by van to the Pomerol wine region, with the option to stop for wine tastings or organize a cycling activity in the area based on your interests, before returning to Libourne and continuing to Bordeaux

Historic monument admission fees, wine tastings, bicycle rentals, and site-specific guided tour services are not included in the van price. Activities should be booked in advance.

hotel Overnight Bordeaux · example hotel Hotel in Bordeaux (4-star) or equivalent

• Depart Bordeaux along the Garonne River route to Cadillac
• Stop at Château de Roquetaillade to admire its medieval castle architecture, with the option to tour the towers and interior areas during public opening hours
• Continue to the Sauternais region to visit wine cellars and taste Sauternes wine
• Return to Cadillac to stroll along the harbor, town walls, central square, historic houses, and a 15th-century church
• Opt for a local tasting walk from the bastide fortified town area to the surrounding hills and vineyards, enjoying river views along with wine and local food tastings, before returning to Bordeaux

Castle admission, wine tastings, meals, and local tasting walk activities are not included in the van price. Walking distances can be adjusted based on traveler fitness.

hotel Overnight Bordeaux · example hotel Hotel in Bordeaux (4-star) or equivalent

• Travel to Arcachon Bay to enjoy the coastal atmosphere and oyster farming areas
• Learn about Bird Island and the stilt huts (Cabanes tchanquées), an iconic sight of the bay, with views from the shore depending on accessible vantage points and visibility
• Stroll through the town of Arcachon and stop for lunch at your leisure before visiting the Dune of Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe
• Return to Bordeaux, with the option to explore the Chartrons District and the Wine and Commerce Museum along with wine tasting activities
• Another optional highlight to schedule is Bassins des Lumières, a digital art center housed in a former submarine base

If you spend a full day exploring Arcachon Bay and the sand dune, the Chartrons District, Wine Museum, or Bassins des Lumières can be moved to Day 7. Art exhibitions change annually. Admission and wine tasting fees are not included in the van price. Today does not include traveling onto the island or viewing the stilt huts by water.

hotel Overnight Bordeaux · example hotel Hotel in Bordeaux (4-star) or equivalent

• Continue exploring Bordeaux, catching up on places not yet visited from Day 6, including the Chartrons District, the Wine and Commerce Museum, and Bassins des Lumières, then relax at the hotel
• For those interested in the Loire Valley Châteaux route, you can opt for a round-trip van day excursion instead of touring Bordeaux, specifying the châteaux to visit before traveling

The Loire Valley is an option that requires significant overland travel time and a separate itinerary for the day; it cannot be combined with a full day of touring Bordeaux. Admission fees to all sites are not included in the van price.

hotel Overnight Bordeaux · example hotel Hotel in Bordeaux (3-star) or equivalent

• Pick up from the hotel and travel by private van to Bordeaux Airport according to flight time.

Meals and flights are not included in the van price.