Garonne

The Garonne and its tributary the Dordogne form the Gironde estuary — the gateway to Bordeaux, one of the world's great wine capitals. A river cruise through this corner of southwest France is a leisurely exploration of some of Europe's finest vineyards, most beautiful medieval villages, and most celebrated cuisine.

Bordeaux itself is a UNESCO World Heritage city — an 18th-century port whose elegant limestone quays and world-class wine museum (the Cité du Vin) make it one of France's most rewarding urban destinations. The surrounding appellations — Saint-Émilion, Médoc, Pomerol, Sauternes — produce the most sought-after red wines in the world, and many itineraries include visits to famous châteaux.

The Dordogne River winds through a landscape of prehistoric caves, medieval fortified villages (bastides), and limestone cliffs topped with dramatic châteaux. The Lascaux caves — containing the world's finest Palaeolithic cave paintings — are a highlight of this UNESCO-designated river valley.