The 8 Boat Tours in Bordeaux We Would Book Again

1.River Garonne Cruise with Glass of Wine and Canelé

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,630 reviews · 1h 30m · from $22Our pick

Cruise Bordeaux’s Garonne River for 90 minutes aboard the Maddalena. A French and English guide points out the cathedral, Place de la Bourse, bridges, Chartrons, and Cité du Vin while you enjoy wine, a soft or hot drink, and a canelé. Guides such as Fanny and Ann-Marie are known for lively storytelling.

“Excellent! Beautiful scenery and a great way to see Bordeaux from the river. Wonderful guide, very knowledgeable and very gracious.”

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2.Prestige Commented Cruise glass of wine and Canelé in Bordeaux

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 517 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $22

See Bordeaux from the Garonne on a 90-minute bilingual cruise with live commentary, a canelé, and one glass of wine. The route passes UNESCO-listed architecture, La Cité du Vin, Matmut Atlantic Stadium, Place des Quinconces, historic gates, and the Aquitaine Bridge. Aulien has led some departures.

“It was a great cruise . They offered us a canalé pastry at teh beginning before boarding and we got to chose wherever you sit and they gave us a card to redeem a glass of wine of yoir choosing. The live commentary both in French and English was great ! Overall a very pleasant stroll down the Garonne River !”

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3.2-Hour River Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 365 reviews · 2 hours · from $81

Board Les Bateaux Bordelais at Quai des Chartrons for a two-hour evening cruise past Bordeaux’s historic waterfront, the lift bridge, and Pont d’Aquitaine. Enjoy a chef-prepared three-course French meal, with wine and coffee available to buy separately. The boat is wheelchair accessible.

“The staff was very nice, great service. Food was good but no options, you get the set menu )which we liked but some might not).”

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4.Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 241 reviews · 2 hours · from $69

Meet at 24 Quai des Chartrons at noon for a two-hour cruise toward the Pont d’Aquitaine and Port de Bassens. Enjoy a chef-prepared starter, main course, and dessert while Bordeaux’s waterfront and protected monuments pass by. Drinks cost extra, and the boat is wheelchair accessible.

“Very nice boat, staff very friendly and helpful, and food very good. It would be helpful if at time of booking you could mention needing vegetarian and gluten free options, but all very good.”

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5.Guided Wine and Canelé Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 157 reviews · 1h 30m · from $22

Join Croisières Burdigala for a 90-minute guided cruise from Ponton d’Honneur. You’ll see the Port of the Moon, Cité du Vin, Pont d’Aquitaine, Darwin, and more while hearing Bordeaux’s story in English, French, or Spanish. A glass of wine and one canelé are included.

“La découverte de la ville par l’eau est agréable, on a eu des informations historiques interessantes. Cependant, les commentaires pourraient être réduits car trop de details parasitent l’essentiel. D’autre part, les boissons ont été servies pendant le dernier 15 min de navigation sur les 1h30…. Le verre de vin a été bu rapidement au lieu de le déguster : proposition de stopper les explications sur le trajet aller afin de servir les boissons pour en profiter (de plus, une pause auditive au milieu du parcours serait plus appréciable) Le vin blanc local était très bon, on aurait aimé avoir 2 mini canelés au lieu d’un seul Merci pour la balade”

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6.Garonne River Yacht Cruise with Brunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 112 reviews · 2 hours · from $64

Spend Sunday aboard the Yacht de Bordeaux for a two-hour Garonne River cruise with a seasonal sweet and savory brunch, coffee, cocktail, and open bar. You will see Bordeaux from the water, then hear commentary about the UNESCO-listed city on the return. Clément has led some departures.

“Belle expérience sur la Garonne, le brunch est copieux et le personnel aux petits soins. À renouveler dès que possible.”

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7.Guided cruise Bordeaux UNESCO

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 34 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $16Best value

Spend about an hour on the Garonne with an English-speaking guide, passing Pont de Pierre, Place de la Bourse, Pont Chaban-Delmas, Cité du Vin, and Pont d’Aquitaine. You’ll also taste a Baillardran canelé, with free filtered water and an onboard bar during the break.

“While traveling on a River cruise is always a pleasure the title of the tour was misleading as the guide barely mentioned any of the UNESCO buildings. In addition the sound wasn’t very clear so it was difficult to hear at times therefore a lot of information was missed.”

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8.Aperitive guided cruise « Wine and Canelé »

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 31 reviews · from $22

Spend 90 minutes on Bordeaux’s Garonne with live guiding in English or French, then enjoy music, a glass of wine or soft drink, and one canelé. From the Ponton d’honneur near Porte Cailhau, you’ll see the city from the water and return to the same dock.

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