Châteaux, Rivers & Wine

Travel to the elegant resort town of Arcachon to experience the daily life of an oyster farmer. Join your guide for a scenic drive to Arcachon, located on the eponymous sheltered bay. Upon arrival, you will find yourself transported to the Belle Époque, surrounded by the red roofs of Victorian-era villas and fishing boats bobbing on the water. At the pier, embark a vessel and take a short cruise into open water to an oyster farm, where you will learn about farming techniques, cultivation and the varieties of mollusks. You can inspect the fascinating oyster banks and sample the day’s catch in the oysters’ purest and freshest state. Continue by boat to your lunch destination, the fashionable headlands of Cap Ferret. After your fresh-from-the-sea meal, you will return to the picturesque town of Arcachon and drive back to your ship in Bordeaux.

Accompany our onboard chef on a shopping excursion, experiencing France’s unique market culture for yourself. Drive to Bordeaux’s covered market of Le Marché des Capucins, south of the Old City. The best cooks of Bordeaux shop here for fruit, vegetables, meats and fish. You will soon learn that there is no more enticing and rewarding way to experience a French market than with a Viking chef. Tour the stalls alongside him and engage with local vendors during your culinary journey, as he describes the ingredients and translates conversations with locals for you. Soak up the atmosphere of this bustling central market as you pause to sample regional specialties such as cheese, olives, cold cuts and other local delicacies. At your tour’s end, return to your awaiting ship.

Admire the historic sites of Bordeaux during a panoramic pedal by e-bike around this vibrant port’s city center. See why Bordeaux is called “an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble” by the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your approximately 7½-mile journey will take you past many of the city’s famed landmarks, with several stops along the way for insights into their historical and architectural importance. In the Chartrons district, you will meet your guide, receive a short briefing and then set out on your e-bike. Highlights will include the Place de la Comédie fronting the neoclassical Grand Théâtre, the elegant Place de la Bourse, the Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Andrew, the decanter-shaped Cité du Vin and more. Cross over to the right bank and pedal along the river past the botanical gardens, enjoying sweeping views of the city’s skyline. Your scenic ride will culminate at your ship.

Taste a selection of wines from the famed Bordeaux region during a visit to the Wine and Trade Museum. Meet your guide for a short walk through the ancient trading district of Chartrons to the Wine and Trade Museum (Musée du Vin et du Négoce) and visit its historic wine cellars. Once an Irish merchant’s house, the building dates back to 1720. Step inside for a peek at its vaulted cellars and admire a display of artifacts. Afterward, join your host for a wine-tasting experience that guides you through tips of the trade. Learn the importance of decanting the wine, assessing the color, smelling and tasting. You will also discover more about the significance of Bordeaux’s wine-growing region and sample a handpicked selection of wines—two whites, three reds and a Premier Cru Supérieur—from the Château d’Yquem estate.

Immerse yourself in a multimedia art installation that features the work of two prominent 20th-century artists. During World War II, Bordeaux was occupied by German troops and was the site of a Nazi submarine base that was active for just over a year. Today, the space has been transformed into the largest digital art center in the world. Drive to the Bassins des Lumières, where you will watch as some of the most recognized works in the world of art are brought to life via projections and animations. See Frida Kahlo’s deeply personal and emotive work dance across the walls and reflect off the water, offering a new perspective into some of her most iconic pieces. Then, observe the vibrant colors and bold forms of Henri Matisse as they take over the hall, watching his artistic journey unfold through his early impressionism, his stylized masterpieces and Fauvist work.