Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux, the capital of the Aquitane region, is a port and a university city, but it is best known for wine, which has been produced here since the 8th century, and is often considered to be the wine capital of the world.
The city is built on a bend of the Garonne River and the area is known to have been inhabited by Neanderthal man, whose remains were found in a cave north of the city. Around 300 BC Bordeaux was settled in by a Celtic tribe but fell under Roman rule around 60 BC and became capital of Roman Aquitaine until in it was sacked by the Vandals, a Germanic tribe, in 276 BC and again in 409.
The Visigoths took control in 414 and finally the Franks in 498, after which it fell into a period of obscurity. In the late 6th century the city re-emerged as the seat of an archdiocese within the Merovingian kingdom of the Franks and from the 12th to the 15th century regained importance as part of the English realm, following the marriage of Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine with the French-speaking Count Henri Plantagenet, born in Le Mans, who became, within months of their wedding, King Henry II of England.
The city flourished, primarily due to the wine trade and the cathedral of St André was built and consecrated by the Pope in 1096. Bordeaux was also capital of an independent state under Edward, the Black Prince, but returned to France after the Battle of Castillon in 1453.
Bordeaux’s golden age was in the 18th century, many old buildings, including those on the quays are from this period. Victor Hugo, French novelist, poet and playwright, found the town so beautiful he said: “Take Versailles, add Antwerp, and you have Bordeaux”.
Please note that as the ship is berthed overnight, you may take two included tours in this port – one on each day
Below are examples of excursions that have previously been offered from this port of call. A fully detailed programme of the included and optional tours available during your cruise will be sent shortly before your departure.
A Toast to Bordeaux
Let us introduce you to the taste of Bordeaux, declared a city of art and history and a candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A panoramic drive will reveal the main sights of this beautiful city, including the 18th century Place de la Bourse, the Cailhau Gate, the Big Bell, which dates from the 14th century, and the Palais Rohan, now the City Hall and the magnificent 13th century Cathedral of St André, where Eleanor of Aquitaine was married, aged 15, to Louis VII in 1137 (the marriage was dissolved in 1152 and she married Henry, Count of Anjou, Duke of Normandy, later Henry II of England).
After sightseeing you will visit a nearby vineyard on one of the prestigious estates in the region to visit the cellars, be introduced to the art of wine making, and enjoy a tasting.
Included excursion
Duration: 3 hours
Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Live like a lord for a night and enjoy a four-course meal at a spectacular wine château combined with a wine tasting at one of Bordeaux’s oldest and most successful vineyards, Château Smith Haut Lafitte, has been producing wine from the time of the Crusades.
As early as 1365 the noble house of Boscq had chosen this land to cultivate a vineyard, and in the 18th century the Scots navigator George Smith bought the estate. For this special evening, the Chateau has prepared an exclusive set menu for Spirit of Adventure guests.
You will be served a starter of Scorpion fish and lobster in a caul-casing with small crab sauce. For your main course you will enjoy a Bordeaux style Entrecote (ribsteak).
After a cheese course you will be treated to a memorable dessert - the Château's special chocolate gâteau. Each course will be served with specially selected complementing wine from the Château's cellars.
Optional excursion
Duration: 4 hours
Slow Foods of Bordeaux
The Slow Food Movement was founded in Italy in 1986 by the eminent Italian food critic and journalist Carlo Petrini. Through education and ‘eco-gastronomic’ intervention, the movement seeks to conserve endangered plant species, breeds, cultivars, and processes.
The idea is that by celebrating the magnificent foods currently under threat from standardisation, bureaucratic hygienism, and commercialisation, we can ensure that these products continue to be made and, having guaranteed their future, we can enjoy them.
One of the key tenets of Slow Food is the belief in the right to pleasure! The president of the Bordeaux branch will accompany you during this tour. He will guide your visit to the ‘Oh! Légumes Oubliés’ farm, which grows and develops several hundreds of 'forgotten' vegetables, plants and fruits. This farm is a perfect illustration of Slow Food’s philosophy.
After a guided visit of the farm’s conservatory, orchard and vegetable garden, you will enjoy a tasting of produce including Wild nettle pie, Dandelion flowers jelly and Jerusalem artichokes.
Optional excursion
Duration: 3 hours
St Emilion
What better way to spend a visit to this famed wine-region than to head to Saint Émilion, heartland of the Merlot grape, which produces delicious, rich, full-bodied wines.
The vines on the “hill with a thousand châteaux” reach right up to St Émilion’s 13th-century town walls, creating spectacular views. Members of the local wine brotherhood,the Jurats, proclaim the vintage banns in much the same way as their ancestors did during the reign of Richard the Lionheart.
You will see the main monuments, including a monolithic underground church dating from the 9th-12th centuries. There will be some free time for you to explore at your leisure or perhaps shop for souvenirs before visiting a wine château for a wine tasting.
Included excursion
Duration: 4 3/4 hours
Vineyards of Medoc
A drive along the famous Quai des Chartrons, cradle of the Bordeaux wine trade, brings you to the wine road, located betwen the Gironde estuary and the Landes forest, with a magnificent view of vine-covered terraces as far as the eye can see.
The Médoc vineyards, you will note, are well-kept almost to the point of fanaticism, where world famous châteaux produce some of the best wine in the world: Moulis, Listrac, Saint Julien, Saint Estèphe, Pauillac, Médoc, Haut Médoc and Margaux.
You will visit the cellars of one of the famous châteaux, where you will discover the techniques of wine-making and enjoy a wine tasting.
Optional excursion
Duration: 4 hours