Name: Bordeaux Affair with Highlights of Paris & Madrid
Brand: Scenic
Rating: 4 (1 reviews)

Overview

Join Scenic aboard Scenic Diamond for 12 nights of discovery and relaxation, departing from the port of Paris. Your journey takes in 3 ports of call, including Bordeaux, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, and Cadillac. Mediterranean and Spain has a way of getting under your skin, and seeing it from the water only deepens the experience. Prices for this cruise start from £5,037 per person.

Scenic

Scenic River Cruises is one of the most luxurious cruise operators in the world.

It’s the cruise line behind the innovative and super luxurious yacht-style ship Scenic Eclipse, a ship that revolutionised the cruise industry when it launched.

That same level of luxury can be had on its fleet of river ships.

The cruise line offers an all-inclusive experience, featuring amenities like spas, terraces, panorama lounges and spacious cabins with private butlers.

Cruise Itinerary

Days 1-3

Paris

The French capital needs no introduction, but seeing it from the Seine offers a different perspective on the city. The river winds through the heart of Paris, its banks flanked by many of its most iconic sights, from Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay.Most cruises start or end in Paris, allowing at least a full day to explore, at your own pace or on an organised excursion. Independent exploration is easy, with the metro, bateaux-mouches and a good pair of shoes all offering ways to see the city on your terms.The Left Bank brims with literary cafés, while the Right Bank has grand boulevards and elegant arcades. And while you shouldn’t miss the city’s big hitters, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Jardin du Luxembourg, don’t hesitate to adventure beyond the headliners, whether you want to browse the shelves at English-language bookshop Shakespeare and Company, sip coffee at Les Deux Magots or take in the view from Montmartre.

Day 3

Bordeaux

Ships dock close to the centre, making it easy to explore on foot. The UNESCO-listed old town is packed with neoclassical buildings, lively cafés and riverside walks. Landmarks like Place de la Bourse, the water mirror and the gothic cathedral are all within easy reach.Bordeaux is also home to La Cité du Vin, a futuristic wine museum with interactive exhibits and a panoramic tasting area. You can also hop on a tram to explore the Chartrons district, once home to wine merchants and full of vintage shop and galleries.Cruise excursions might include vineyard visits, bike tours or food tastings. Some itineraries even offer evening moorings here so you can enjoy dinner in town or take a night-time stroll along the Garonne.

Day 4

Libourne

Cruise ships dock right in town, making it an easy starting point for excursions into the surrounding countryside. Most visitors head straight for Saint-Émilion, just 20 minutes away, but Libourne itself is worth a stroll, with its central square, old arcades and riverside market.Expect guided trips to nearby châteaux and vineyards, where Merlot is the star of the show. Many tours include tastings and walks through the vines. There’s often free time too, with the option to explore Libourne’s boutiques and cafés.

Day 4

Bordeaux

Day 5

Libourne

Days 5-6

Blaye

Ships dock just below the ramparts, so you can walk straight up into the fortress for panoramic views of the estuary and countryside. Inside the walls, you’ll find a small village, art galleries and a few shops.Excursions often include guided walks around the citadel and visits to nearby vineyards. This part of the Gironde is known for its Côtes de Blaye wines, less famous than neighbouring regions but often great value.Some cruises include the option to cross the estuary by ferry to Bourg or explore the Route de la Corniche, a scenic riverside road lined with limestone cliffs and wine cellars.

Day 6

Cussac-Fort-Médoc

The village is named after the 17th-century Fort Médoc, a stone fortress designed by Vauban to protect the river route to Bordeaux. Some cruise excursions include a guided tour of the site, with time to walk the grounds and learn about the fort’s military past.Other trips head inland for wine tastings and château visits. This is classic Médoc territory, with gravel soils and Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy blends, making great alternatives to Pauillac.

Day 7

Bordeaux

Day 7

Bourg

Ships dock in the lower town, and it’s a short uphill walk to the old centre. The town’s history stretches back to Roman times, and it became a key stronghold in the Middle Ages. Today, you’ll find a handful of wine bars, bakeries and craft shops tucked among its narrow streets.Some tours focus on Bourg’s role in the local wine trade, while others link it with nearby Blaye or offer tastings in the surrounding hills.

Day 7

Pauillac

The port sits right on the Gironde estuary, and from here it’s an easy drive inland to the Route des Châteaux, where names like Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild line the vineyards.Most cruise excursions from Pauillac focus on wine: guided tastings, vineyard tours and cellar visits. Expect to hear about the terroir of the Médoc and the ageing processes behind Bordeaux’s iconic reds.The town itself is small but pleasant, with a marina, riverside promenade and several wine shops and cafés.

Day 8

Bordeaux

Day 8

Cadillac

Ships dock close to the historic centre, which is still partly enclosed by old stone walls. There’s a château in town – the Château des Ducs d’Épernon – and a scattering of shops and cafés.Most visitors use Cadillac as a springboard for trips into the golden vineyards of Sauternes. These wines are among the world’s finest dessert wines, and cruise tours usually include tastings and cellar visits.Some itineraries also offer food pairings or cooking demonstrations themed around this part of southwest France.

Days 8-9

Bordeaux

Day 10

Madrid

Day 10

Bordeaux

Days 11-13

Madrid

Days 1-3

Day 3

Day 4

Day 4

Day 5

Days 5-6

Day 6

Day 7

Day 7

Day 7

Day 8

Day 8

Days 8-9

Day 10

Madrid

Day 10

Bordeaux

Days 11-13 Madrid

Madrid

147

Passengers

Crew

2009

Launched

2024

Last refit

2721t

Tonnage

135m

Length

Decks

EUR

Currency

Scenic Diamond

Sailing on the Rhine, Main, Danube & Moselle Rivers in Europe are Scenic Crystal, Scenic Jewel and Scenic Jade, offering the ultimate ultra-luxury.

All Prices

Customer reviews

Reviews

6 star river cruising

10/10 from start to finish, cruise, staff, food , excursions were all excellent. Would highly recommend a scenic river cruise , yes it was expensive but definitely worth it in terms of service, quality of food etc

Scenic Scenic Jewel

Reviews

Romantic rhine

Very good cruise excellent crew great entertainment and superb food and drink

Scenic Scenic Jasper

Reviews

A wonderful river cruise

We spent ten days on the Danube, and although the water levels meant that we did not get as far as our planned destination, we had a wonderful time drifting through some stunning scenery. The service was superb, there was a tremendous range of food, and even the wines varied depending on which country we happened to be in at the time! Now that the Covid years have died down, we plan to travel with Scenic again next year.

Reviews

Reviews

Itinerary was great. Ship was lovely. Good public rooms. Had a balcony cabin but it was small. Food was first class. Staff and crew were friendly, welcoming, professional and efficient. Wonderful cruise.

Scenic Scenic Jasper

Reviews

2022-12-14 12:44:41

This was our first river cruise, having previously done a number of Sea cruises. Yes it was more expensive, but you can see where the extra money goes. From being collected at the airport to being taken back to the airport this was a wonderful cruise. The staff were all friendly, hard working and attentive with a ratio of 2 staff to 1 passenger. Each cabin had a personal butler who was available for any needs, reachable on the phone. The food was excellent, the drinks all included (not just with meals and including the mini bar), as were the gratuities and a choice of trips each day. All the trips that we did were top notch, with local knowledgeable guides. The balcony cabin was spacious and comfortable with a super size bed that you could remotely adapt to your needs. The cruise director, JJ, was always available and presented a fun presentation each evening about the next days offerings. A wonderful Enrich experience on the night in Vienna was a private concert of music, dance and opera in a lovely palatial setting. E bikes were available for personal use or some arranged trips and the scenery down the Danube was spectacular. I cannot fault the whole experience and it has left us wanting more.

Scenic Scenic Amber

Reviews

2022-12-09 15:00:25

An enjoyable trip from Marseilles to Lyon with good food and quality excursions. This was slightly marred on departure by the coach taking us to Lyon Airport actually dropping us about 800 yards away at the railway station [to avoid paying the drop-off charge at the airport?] giving us all - including elderly - a totally unnecessary hike with our luggage

Scenic Scenic Sapphire

Reviews

2022-11-10 10:19:32

Had a lovely time onboard , the staff were excellent but you could tell they were training new people up post covid. The accommodation used to be first rate but is now starting to look aged . The entertainment on the TV ie films and TV was old and the system now feels clumsy to use given todays technology . I think Apple discontinued these controls 5 years or more ago . Hardly any evening entertainment , I recall bing on this cruise line where guest performers arrived most nights on the Rhine . Given the high cost v other boats it no longer represents great value . It might cheaper more cost effective to go to Viking and pay for drinks .

Scenic Scenic Azure