Today we are docked in Libourne, France, a quaint fortified harbor town at the confluence of the Dordogne and Isle Rivers, just east of Bordeaux, and a few minutes' drive south-east to reach Saint Émilion and Pomerol.

Saint-Émilion is a honey-colored wine village in the Gironde department in southwest France, where it gracefully adorns a rocky outcrop overlooking the Dordogne River valley.  In 1999, Saint-Émilion was awarded the title Cultural Landscape by UNESCO; protecting its ancient architecture, landscape, and historic vineyards that still produce world famous wines today.  This quaint wine village will pull at your heart strings with its photogenic beauty, glistening limestone facades, and vine-laced vineyards.

The most practical piece of advice I can give you for visiting Saint-Émilion is to wear sturdy walking shoes. You will thank me later, as you navigate up and down those captivating winding lanes, all inlaid with centuries-old shiny and slick ballast-cobblestones, beckoning you forward - to explore this remarkably rich village.

 The Aquitaine region straddles a prominent position in southwest France. It stretches long and lean against the French Atlantic coastline, reaching up to the Pyrénées mountain range and transcending to the Spanish border.  It is here, in the Gironde department, where intrepid travelers can scamper to the summit of storybook castles, bike through vineyard-laced countryside, walk through ancient villages, and sip world-renowned wines.  Tourist and travelers alike can discover the douceur de vivre in this tiny one-kilometer-long settlement, once named Blaye-et-Sainte-Luce.

Let me introduce you to Blaye, France, a petite but mighty hamlet, sitting at the southern tip of the Gironde estuary, formed by the confluences of the nearby Dordogne and Garonne rivers.  Blaye is a historical and powerful commune from medieval times, where the Citadel of Blaye and its military fortifications sit majestically over the waters of Western Europe’s largest estuary.

Bordeaux is a port city located in the southwestern region of France, known globally for its famous wine production. After many years of revitalization, this "sleeping beauty" has awoken from its slumber. With civic pride, a vision, and a grand plan for urban revitalization, the Bordelais set in motion a cosmopolitan renewal. Going about cleaning centuries of soot from historical limestone buildings, removing walls and traffic from the ancient city center. Demolishing and relocating riverfront warehouses and docks – creating a riverfront promenade for tourists, cyclists, and joggers to explore this beauty on foot.

Bordeaux is so much more than a place of world-renowned vineyards and wine. Bordeaux abounds with unexpected and heartwarming surprises, like experiencing the historical and heavenly Canelé, dating back to the 19^th century, created by the nuns at Saint Eulalia.  It is a bite-size, crispy golden-brown cake, with a thin outer crust, slightly burnt and caramelized, hiding a luscious melt-in-your-mouth treat permeating with a vanilla and rum fusion.

Surprises like Marché des Capucins, Bordeaux’s oldest and largest historical covered market, dating from 1749, still thriving in modern times. This market is often called the “belly of Bordeaux” where the history of the market has stood still. It offers regional delicacies like white asparagus from Blaye, briny oysters from Arcachon, pork belly from the Médoc region, fresh lamb chops from Pauillac (pojak) and more varieties of cheeses than one can imagine.

On the other hand, discover the pilgrim’s trail to Le Chemin de St. Jacques de Compostelle (the Way of St. James) through the heart of Bordeaux. The pilgrim’s route is marked by the inlaid scalloped seashells throughout Bordeaux. The route weaves through cobblestone streets beginning at Porte Cailhau, loops past Sainte Pierre, and on to Saint-André Cathedral for 8.4km through the historic city and beyond.

Bordeaux offers unparalleled treasures to explore, noble chateaux, and breathtaking scenery. Join me in savoring its best kept secrets.

 October 19-October 30, 2023

Tram, Taxi, Recommendation in/around Bordeaux 

Bordeaux-Mérignac airport

TBM  Tram, Bus, train

Marché des Capucins  (open Tuesday – Sunday)

Bordeaux Visitors Tourism

J. Christina is the author and owner of Scribbles and Smiles. Through our blog, we share stories of the wonderful discoveries we have made on our European travels. Christina (Christie) is married to John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie.  Hence, their bespoke pen name, J. Christina.  Christie is traveling solo on this adventure, 2023.

Travel dates: July 26- August 8, 2022

The S.S. Catherine leaves the twin towns of Tain L’Hermitage-Tournon behind and sails 77km north reaching Lyon tonight. Captain Pascal skillfully navigates four more locks en route; Gergans, Sablons Vaugris & Pierre-Benite, docking at Quai Claude Bernard in Lyon, near the Pont de l'Universite bridge. Lyon is the third largest city in France, after Paris and Marseille, and the capital of both the Rhône department and the Auvergne-Rhône Alpes region.  We are nearing the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers.