Cruising Bordeaux’s waterways offers the most relaxing way to experience this grand French city. The UNESCO-listed riverfront comes alive from the water, where you’ll float past 18th-century facades and under historic bridges. River tours range from basic one-hour sightseeing trips to elegant dinner cruises featuring local wines. We especially love the brunch cruises, which combine morning views with traditional French pastries and coffee. For wine lovers, the afternoon wine-tasting cruises provide excellent value, with expert commentary and generous pours of regional varieties. The best operators maintain small group sizes and employ knowledgeable local guides who speak clear English.
Our favorite tours mix sightseeing with culinary experiences and stay clear of tourist gimmicks. Let’s explore the top boat tours worth your time and money.
Key Points
- Bordeaux offers a variety of cruises, including prestige commented tours, Garonne River cruises, brunch cruises, themed/intimate cruises, and dining cruises.
- Dining cruises in Bordeaux provide gourmet experiences with local wines, such as the Bordeaux Wine Tasting Cruise, Bordeaux Lunch Cruise, and Bordeaux River Dinner Cruise.
- Cruises in Bordeaux offer unique perspectives of the city’s historic architecture and riverside charm, often with open-air decks or cozy cabin settings.
- Bordeaux cruises feature multilingual guides and accommodate those with mobility needs, with various wheelchair-accessible options available.
- Positive customer reviews and high ratings across different cruises in Bordeaux highlight the overall value, quality of experiences, and the scenic views, knowledgeable guides, and food/wine offerings.
Prestige Commented Cruise Glass of Wine and Canelé in Bordeaux
The Prestige Commented Cruise with a glass of wine and canelé in Bordeaux offers visitors a unique and immersive experience.
This 1.5-hour tour, with an actual cruise time of 70 minutes, allows travelers to explore the city from the water while enjoying a complimentary Bordeaux wine and traditional pastry.
With a maximum capacity of 150 participants, the cruise provides an intimate setting and knowledgeable, bilingual guides who share insights into Bordeaux’s history and attractions.
While some guests found the commentary difficult to hear over engine noise, the scenic views and value-for-money proposition make this cruise a recommended way to discover the city from a different perspective.
Read our full review: Prestige Commented Cruise Glass of Wine and Canelé in Bordeaux Review
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Bordeaux: River Garonne Cruise With Glass of Wine and Canelé
A popular choice among visitors to Bordeaux, the River Garonne Cruise with a glass of wine and canelé offers an immersive way to experience the city’s rich history and architecture from the water.
Lasting 1.5 hours, the wheelchair-accessible cruise features live commentary in French and English, providing insights into Bordeaux’s UNESCO-listed monuments and 18th-19th century landmarks.
Guests can take in the panoramic vistas from the rooftop while sipping local wine and sampling a traditional canelé pastry.
With an overall rating of 4.4/5 from over 2,475 reviews, this cruise is a recommended first-day activity in Bordeaux, offering excellent value for money.
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Bordeaux Cruise Port Shore Excursion: Full-Day Private Medoc Wine Tour
Designed for cruise ship passengers seeking an immersive wine experience, the Full-Day Private Médoc Wine Tour offers a personalized exploration of Bordeaux’s renowned wine region.
With a maximum group size of 8, the tour provides a worry-free shore excursion, including pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal.
Highlights include visits to prestigious Classified Growth châteaux, where guests can savor the region’s acclaimed wines.
While tasting fees aren’t included, the tour covers transportation and a knowledgeable English-speaking guide.
With overwhelmingly positive reviews, this tour is an excellent choice for wine enthusiasts and families seeking an authentic Bordeaux experience during their cruise.
Read our full review: Bordeaux Cruise Port Shore Excursion: Full-Day Private Medoc Wine Tour Review
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Bordeaux: Garonne River Yacht Cruise With Brunch
For a scenic and leisurely way to experience Bordeaux, travelers can board a 1950s yacht for a brunch cruise along the Garonne River.
Priced from $58.08 per person, the 2-hour cruise offers a 100% seasonal buffet, an open bar, and a guided tour highlighting the city’s UNESCO World Heritage status.
With air-conditioned indoor seating for 150 people, the cruise provides an enjoyable way to take in Bordeaux’s iconic riverside views.
Though some reviewers noted the simplicity of the buffet, the overall experience earns a rating of 4.3/5 based on 84 reviews, with praise for the pleasant guided tour and delicious brunch.
Read our full review: Bordeaux: Garonne River Yacht Cruise With Brunch Review
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Brunch and Cruise on the Garonne in Bordeaux
This 2-hour brunch cruise along the Garonne River offers travelers a leisurely way to experience Bordeaux’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed riverside scenery.
Boarding at 11:30 a.m., the cruise departs at noon and returns to the meeting point. Onboard, guests can enjoy private transportation, a restroom, and accessibility for wheelchairs, strollers, and service animals.
With a maximum capacity of 60 travelers, the cruise provides an intimate experience. Priced from $59.24 per person, the cruise has received a 4.0 overall rating based on 5 reviews, with one reviewer describing it as “Magnifique.”
Travelers can reserve now and pay later, and cancellations are free up to 24 hours in advance.
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Aperitive Guided Cruise ‘Wine and Canelé’
Embarking on the Aperitive Guided Cruise “Wine and Canelé” offers travelers a captivating 1.5-hour journey along the picturesque Garonne River in Bordeaux.
For just $20.06 per person, guests can enjoy a glass of wine or soft drink and a traditional canelé while learning about the city’s history from a live tour guide.
The air-conditioned vessel boasts a rooftop terrace with 360-degree views, and the return trip features musical pauses.
Travelers can also purchase additional drinks and snacks from the onboard bar and vending machine.
With an impressive 4.3/5 overall rating based on 31 reviews, this cruise provides an enjoyable and informative way to experience Bordeaux from the water.
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Intimate Cruise and Tasting With the Last Professional Bdx Fisherman
The Intimate Cruise and Tasting With the Last Professional Bdx Fisherman offers travelers a unique opportunity to explore Bordeaux’s waterways and learn about the region’s rich fishing heritage.
This private tour provides an exclusive experience, with only your group participating in the cruise and tasting. Guests can savor white prawns with wild fennel, prepared fresh on the boat’s BBQ, while sipping on their preferred aperitif drinks.
The tour departs from the iconic La Cité Du Vin and concludes back at the same location. With positive reviews highlighting the fun and interesting nature of the experience, this intimate cruise is a must-try for those seeking a personalized glimpse into Bordeaux’s maritime traditions.
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Bordeaux: Guided River Cruise
Gliding effortlessly along the Garonne River, the Bordeaux: Guided River Cruise offers travelers a captivating way to explore the city’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port de la Lune.
At just $15.84 per person, this 1.5-hour tour provides live commentary on Bordeaux’s architectural history, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
Passengers will enjoy views of iconic landmarks like the Place de la Bourse and Cite du Vin while listening to the sounds of the river and city.
With a 4.3/5 rating based on 655 reviews, the tour is praised for its knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and bilingual guides, as well as its good value for money.
The cruise is wheelchair accessible, and participants can enjoy drinks during the experience.
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Premium Cruise, Glass of Wine and Cannelé
For a more indulgent cruise along the Garonne River, the Premium Cruise, Glass of Wine and Cannelé option offers an elevated experience.
This 1.5-hour tour provides passengers with a glass of wine and the iconic Bordeaux pastry, the cannelé, as they admire the city’s riverside landmarks.
With a 4.4-star rating from 2,469 reviews, it’s a popular choice for those seeking a relaxing and refined cruise.
The ticket price of $20.06 per person makes this an affordable way to experience Bordeaux’s waterways and local flavors.
Whether as a standalone activity or combined with other tours, this cruise provides a delightful addition to any Bordeaux itinerary.
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Bordeaux: Scenic River Cruise With Commentary and Canelés
A 75-minute Bordeaux river cruise offers passengers an immersive sightseeing experience, complete with commentary from a knowledgeable guide and the indulgence of two locally-renowned canelés.
Priced from €17 per person, this wheelchair-accessible tour showcases UNESCO-listed waterfront and historic facades along the Garonne River. Passengers can learn about Bordeaux’s rich history while passing the Stone Bridge and modern Bacalan district.
The seasonal offering includes a festive twist, providing hot chocolate or mulled wine with canelés and a Christmas playlist from November to December.
With an overall rating of 4.3/5 based on 545 reviews, this cruise presents excellent value and a delightful way to explore Bordeaux.
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Bordeaux: Evening Aperitif Cruise on the River Garonne
Bordeaux’s evening aperitif cruise along the River Garonne offers a delightful way to unwind and savor the city’s stunning waterfront.
As the sun sets, guests board a comfortable boat and embark on a leisurely voyage, sipping on local wines and nibbling on cheese and charcuterie.
The cruise provides a unique perspective of Bordeaux’s historic architecture and bridges, illuminated by the soft glow of twilight.
Passengers can relax on the open-air deck or in the cozy cabin, enjoying the gentle breeze and tranquil ambiance.
This evening excursion is an ideal way to experience Bordeaux’s riverside charm and indulge in the region’s renowned gastronomic delights.
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Bordeaux: Wine Tasting Cruise
Situated along the picturesque River Garonne, the Bordeaux: Wine Tasting Cruise offers an immersive experience that seamlessly blends scenic waterfront vistas with the region’s renowned winemaking heritage.
Over the course of 1.5 hours, participants can sample two wines from Bordeaux vineyards while taking in the city’s 18th-century UNESCO-listed facades, Stone Bridge, Chartrons district, and other iconic landmarks.
Led by knowledgeable guides in English and French, the tour provides valuable insights into Bordeaux’s history and wine trade.
With a cancellation policy allowing free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and an overall rating of 4.3/5 based on 486 reviews, this cruise is a must-do for oenophiles and sightseers alike.
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Bordeaux: Lunch Cruise
The Bordeaux Lunch Cruise offers an immersive gastronomic experience that seamlessly blends scenic river vistas with the region’s culinary delights.
Priced from Kč 1,481 per person, the 2-hour cruise departs at 12:00 PM from the CAPC Musée d’art contemporain. Guests can savor a 3-course menu prepared onboard, with an option to upgrade to a 5-course meal.
The cruise showcases Bordeaux’s UNESCO-listed waterfront and architectural highlights, including the iconic vertical-lift bridge and Pont d’Aquitaine.
With an overall rating of 4.5/5 based on 165 reviews, the Bordeaux Lunch Cruise is praised for its food quality, pleasant staff, and exceptional value for money.
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Bordeaux: 2-Hour River Dinner Cruise
For those seeking a romantic evening on the water, the 2-Hour River Dinner Cruise in Bordeaux offers an immersive gastronomic experience.
Priced from $72.86 per person, the cruise sails past Bordeaux’s UNESCO-listed waterfront, showcasing floodlit monuments. Guests enjoy a 3-course dinner, prepared on board, with options for wine tasting. The menu features a starter, main course, and dessert.
While no complimentary drinks are included, a wine list is available. With an overall rating of 4.4/5 from 225 reviews, the cruise receives praise for its relaxing ambiance, tasty food, and attentive service, despite a language barrier with the menu.
Wheelchair-accessible and with free cancellation up to 24 hours, this cruise provides a scenic and indulgent evening in Bordeaux.
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Recap
Bordeaux offers a diverse array of boat tours and cruises, catering to various preferences. From wine tastings and brunch to dinner cruises, visitors can enjoy the city’s picturable riverfront while indulging in local cuisine and beverages. These experiences provide a unique perspective and complement the region’s renowned wine culture. Whether seeking a relaxing voyage or a lively adventure, Bordeaux’s boat tours cater to all tastes, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking a memorable maritime experience.