Capital of the Aquitaine region, Bordeaux is celebrated for its thoughtfully preserved 18th-century architecture. Together, its glorious buildings, many of them built on the wine trade, comprise the world's largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, honored as a City of Art and History, Bordeaux is a "Little Paris” of beautiful boulevards, Gothic and baroque churches, and lovely parks and gardens. The towering spire of the flamboyant Basilica of St. Michael is visible from all over the city, while the city's green spaces are a delight to explore on foot.

Capital of the Aquitaine region, Bordeaux is celebrated for its thoughtfully preserved 18th-century architecture. Together, its glorious buildings, many of them built on the wine trade, comprise the world's largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, honored as a City of Art and History, Bordeaux is a "Little Paris” of beautiful boulevards, Gothic and baroque churches, and lovely parks and gardens. The towering spire of the flamboyant Basilica of St. Michael is visible from all over the city, while the city's green spaces are a delight to explore on foot.

Built as a fortified town intended to help colonize the wilderness areas of southwestern France, Libourne has hugged the confluence of the Dordogne and Isle Rivers since 1270. Libourne was founded and named by Roger de Leybourne under the English Crown and King Edward I. Later, the town was caught in the middle of struggles between the French and English in the 14th century; England's loss was France's gain when it joined the latter. Today, Libourne enjoys a respected status as a wine-making capital of northern Gironde and hosts one of the area's largest fresh food markets.

A producer of fine red wines, the scenic town of Blaye rests on the Gironde River, just north of Bordeaux. Blaye boasts an extraordinary 17th-century citadel, dramatically set on a rock along the river. The sprawling fortress was built on the orders of King Louis XIV to protect Bordeaux, upstream on the Garonne River. Its ancient Gothic château contains the tomb of Charibert II, King of Aquitaine. Legend has it that the Frankish hero Roland, who served Charlemagne, is also buried here. The citadel, its city walls and two nearby forts comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cussac-Fort-Médoc is a gateway to the Médoc wine country, home to the famed wine growing villages of Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Estèphe and Saint-Julien. Collectively, they produce some of the world’s most prestigious wines with four of the five Premier cru classé hailing from the Médoc region; Château Margaux, Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour and Château Mouton Rothschild. In addition, there are 60 Grand cru classé vineyards and many more incredible wineries, each offering insight into their rich winemaking heritage that has been passed on for generations.

Capital of the Aquitaine region, Bordeaux is celebrated for its thoughtfully preserved 18th-century architecture. Together, its glorious buildings, many of them built on the wine trade, comprise the world's largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, honored as a City of Art and History, Bordeaux is a "Little Paris” of beautiful boulevards, Gothic and baroque churches, and lovely parks and gardens. The towering spire of the flamboyant Basilica of St. Michael is visible from all over the city, while the city's green spaces are a delight to explore on foot.

Though its name may not be familiar, the Garonne River is among the most beloved waterways in the world of wine lovers. As you sail its languid waters, gaze upon gentle hills laden with vineyards and riverside outcroppings dotted with honey-colored castles that share long histories of skirmishes. Sleepy French villages set the tone of life along the Garonne, where a slow pace and gentle patience serve the wine-growing industry well. Fishing is also prevalent along the river’s banks; you will pass some of the many carrelets (small fishing huts) hugging the shores.

Capital of the Aquitaine region, Bordeaux is celebrated for its thoughtfully preserved 18th-century architecture. Together, its glorious buildings, many of them built on the wine trade, comprise the world's largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, honored as a City of Art and History, Bordeaux is a "Little Paris” of beautiful boulevards, Gothic and baroque churches, and lovely parks and gardens. The towering spire of the flamboyant Basilica of St. Michael is visible from all over the city, while the city's green spaces are a delight to explore on foot.