In addition to being pleasant, discover Bordeaux it is an activity that can be done in different ways. The center can be explored on foot or on two wheels, as the city encourages us to walk and ride a bike; and larger vehicles, such as cars and vans, take us to the renowned vineyards.
But there is still a sophisticated alternative that goes beyond the ordinary: getting to know Bordeaux aboard a cruise along the river waters of the destination.
A recent tourist mode here, getting to know the city, its districts and local communes along the river takes on more interesting air, as the region is explored from a totally different perspective than we are used to.
The itinerary and its stops, in addition to what is offered on board, is part of a journey of experiences – every day there are new things to see, do and eat. In Bordeaux: Experiences in the Kingdom of Wine, second episode of the international series CNN Travel & Gastronomy, the luxurious ship Scenic Diamond turned my house and the program team’s house for about 10 days.
Long, on three floors, with restaurants and a terrace, it has the advantage of being like a floating hotel, facilitating discoveries during stops. Market, beach and charming villages are among some of the attractions, as well as our gaze gets lost with the amount of castles and châteaux that we see along the rivers. Embark on this discovery with me and experience a different France!
Scenic Diamond: luxo a bordo
Exclusively designed to explore the waters of the rivers of France, the Scenic Diamond surprises us even in numbers. It is 135 meters long, has three floors, a terrace and accommodates 149 passengers in 75 cabins with the service of 57 crew.
The reduced number of booths gives us a feeling of intimacy – you can hardly see people walking in the corridors! One of the details that shines in the eyes of many people is that it is a all-inclusive cruise: all tours, drinks (including alcoholic drinks) and food are included in the package.
Two more refined restaurants are on board, such as L’Amour Restaurant, an elegant dining space where we can taste the best of regional French cuisine; and Table La Rive, an exclusive space where a more intimate tasting dinner is served for a few guests.
Two other larger rooms house tables and a structure for breakfast and lunch. One of the most interesting details is that the kitchens add ingredients and regional elements to the dishes according to each stop. Angry!
The program also includes the traditional captain’s dinner, a special event where we dress more formally and enjoy a menu made for the occasion. A lounge, bar and cafeteria complement the dining options, as well as a space for us to take cooking classes with the ship’s team.
Curiosity: there are 110 types of cheese served in meals, between breakfast, lunch and dinner, stored in numerous refrigerators.
There are seven categories of cabins, from the Standard, simpler, measuring around 15 m² and without a balcony, to the most luxurious, such as the Royal Owner’s, with 47 m², with a balcony, lounge area and large bathroom with bathtub. gym, space wellness and even a therapy room with salt are among the amenities for us to relax and take a break. up in the routine.
One of the most enchanting spaces on the ship, however, is the terrace: here we have a panoramic view of the city and the fascinating scenery on the banks of the river. Running track, swimming pool and special corners with chairs to relax are among the amenities.
It is a river vessel categorized as a luxury vessel, where we clearly notice the care with the guests, the stimulus to new experiences and, of course, the desire to know a piece of France from a different perspective.
special stops
The ship’s main base is Bordeaux, from where it departs and returns through the communes and villages, being docked at the port on the banks of the Garonne River. O Scenic Diamond 11 Day Package contemplated passeios em: Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, Libourne, Pauillac, Médoc, Cadillac, Arcachon, Cognac e Blaye.
All our programming is included in the package and is divided into groups – if you don’t want to follow the group, there is the option of hiring the private service. Tours through markets, the beach, preserved villages and châteaux, in addition to diving into history, are part of the itinerary.
In Médoc, for example, there is a dinner and concert for guests at Chateau d’Agassac, an exclusive experience that will stay in the memory forever. Below, I will share the most special stops and what to see and do in these charming corners of France:
Bordeaux
Vibrant, pleasant and captivating for its balance between history and modernity, Bordeaux is the starting point of the ship’s itinerary and also one of the places visited along with the schedule. In addition to being free to walk around, we visited o main “mercadão” in Bordeaux, o Marché des Capucins.
Located on Place des Capucins, the stalls with succulent fruits are starting to show their faces outside, where we can see a wide variety of them, as well as vegetables. Bananas, pineapples, mangoes, oranges, spices, and other delights are outdoors and are beyond photogenic.
If the outside gives us a taste of what we’re about to find, the inside can be defined as a hodgepodge of local and European produce, with mouthwatering abundance. Here, I sampled locally produced strawberries on a small scale, as well as the kiwai, a mini kiwi fruit – just as delicious.
Impossible to get out of there and not throw yourself into the cheeses and breads. Stop by the stalls and taste what you find most appetizing, like the creamy cheese stuffed with truffle that is almost a little piece of heaven, as well as enjoy the beauty of the bread coming out of the ovens.
The hard part is not wanting to taste everything. If you’re hungry, stop by Chez Jean-Mi, an oyster and seafood restaurant inside the market. As I did, order a drink and a portion of fresh oysters with lemon to delight yourself. It was also here that I bought several fresh products and, back on the ship, I made a recipe for four hands from the traditional Paris Steak Café with the chef of Scenic Diamond.
I think that markets, especially foreign ones, are places where we get to know local products and eating habits, where we delve into the country’s culture through food – it’s another chance to get to know Bordeaux and France in depth.
Another place visited within the city is the The Pools of Lights, an old underwater base that was occupied to make way for art and culture. It’s a historic place. ao lado do museu The City of Wine, on the banks of the Garonne. With a charged aura that hangs in the air, it was built in World War II by the Germans as a base for submarine attacks.
It was in 2019 that the huge bunker was occupied by one of the biggest digital galleries in the world, becoming a technological cultural center. Currently, works by Monet, Renoir and Chagall are projected in every corner of the place along with a soundtrack, literally putting us inside the paintings – it’s chilling.
It’s also exciting to see where the submarines left towards the Atlantic, where we see the remains of the bomb holes, a sensation that cannot be put into words and into the lens of the cameras. The intriguing thing is that, looking from above, some holes that were opened by the bombs gave way to the blossoming of trees, giving us a sense of hope. What was once death is now full of life.
Arcachon
Another exuberant destination that is part of the Scenic Diamond itinerary is the enthralling Arcachon, commune by the sea characterized by a hydrographic basin. With about 12 villages, the destination is much sought after by the French for its fresh oysters – always well accompanied by a good white wine.
Here are some family businesses that have been operating in the production of oysters for decades, maintaining a rich tradition and the freshness of molluscs. The zeal in the family work is remarkable and it is interesting to follow the process of extracting the sea and cleaning this seafood.
But, more than following the entire process, the best part is tasting the oysters. Beachfront restaurants offer generous portions on ice that are best enjoyed in the French way: with bread with butter and lemon. With a privileged view of the sea, have a glass of white wine and, here is, try to be one well living for one day. The commune is full of piers over the sand and the sea with white details that provide beautiful views – and photos.
The stunning seaside resort of Pyla-sur-Mer, which stretches from the entrance to the Arcachon basin, is home to white dunes, fine sandbanks and landscapes with the shimmering blue sea in the background. I joke that it’s love at first sight. In this piece there is the La Coorniche, oceanfront hotel and restaurant serving delicious fish and seafood with the dunes on one side and Cap Ferret on the other.
Outside the shore, the commune of Arcachon reveals itself as a charming place, where it gives us that feeling of wanting to discover its little corners for days. Its small buildings and friendly shops welcome us in a pleasant way, as well as some local delicacies cannot be resisted, such as Dunes Blanches (White Dunes in Portuguese), a choux filled with balanced cream that explodes in the mouth. Unmissable!
Libourne
It is another charming commune in France and part of the ship’s itinerary. With about 25,000 inhabitants, Libourne is north of the Gironde department, where the river Isle merges with the Dordogne. Here there are some preserved tourist spots dating back centuries with some vineyards as a backyard.
One of the most recommended means of transport to get to know the center is by bicycle. That said, one of the most charming corners here is the market square Place Abel Surchamp, commerce and meeting point for over 600 years.
The square is styled with several arches, all from past centuries, which were used for the trade in wool, salt, wine and wood. Today, the food trade is still the spirit of the place, but with services from cafes, restaurants and patisseries. The old city hall, dating back to the 15th century, stands on the square and has been remodeled over the centuries, where we can see several different elements. Today, the second floor houses the Museum of Fine Arts.
In Libourne we can experience a slower France, where time must be consumed in another way. How about stopping for a coffee in the square? At Patisserie Lopez we can try traditional sweets, such as those that mix choux with crème brûlée and eclair (our famous chocolate bomb). This is the moment when the typical French soundtrack of the films accompanies us!
Another attraction in Libourne is the Porte du Port, a medieval gate dating back to the 14th century, where you can get a glimpse of what a fortress tower looked like and imagine the walled city that used to exist there. It is definitely an important piece of history before our eyes.
Reference: CNN Brasil
