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Cuisines & Culture of French Cities

S2607

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Place de la Bourse square in Bordeaux, France Place de la Bourse square in Bordeaux, France
14 Apr 2026
Southampton
8 nights
Borealis

Your cruise at a glance

Hand-crafted highlights

Join us on this springtime exploration of charming French cities, including La Rochelle and Bordeaux, reached via La Pallice and Pauillac, respectively. You’ll have plenty of chances to savour traditional French treats. Bordeaux is renowned for its wines, and a tour of the vineyards and the picturesque village of Saint-Émilion is a great way to immerse yourself in the wine culture. Elsewhere, you can indulge in local delicacies such as Cognac, Cancale oysters, calvados and crepes. An abundance of medieval sites await your discovery, too, from Cherbourg’s castle and Bordeaux’s bell tower to the architecture in La Rochelle’s old port area and the walled city of St Malo – the gateway to Mont. St Michel.

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Highlights

Saint Emilion

Explore Charming French Cities

Our Journey Planners have hand-crafted this itinerary to allow you the chance to discover charming French cities. From Pauillac, you are perfectly placed to explore Bordeaux. Nestled in the heart of France’s winemaking region on the banks of the Garonne River, this historic city is home to 18th-century architecture, a UNESCO-listed historic centre, bustling squares and winding, cobblestone streets. The quintessential French city of Saint-Émilion, located among the vineyards of Bordeaux, also awaits exploration. Meanwhile, La Pallice is your gateway to La Rochelle, a picturesque city home to narrow streets, medieval timber-framed houses and elegant Renaissance architecture.

Wine Tasting in  Bordeaux

Discover the French Way of Life

This Borealis cruise has been designed to include ports of call which will allow you to immerse yourself in the French way of life. From Pauillac you can journey into the heart of the Bordeaux region, visiting local vineyards to sample world-renowned wines and witness the wine-making process firsthand. From La Pallice, the Cognac region beckons. Lying on the banks of the Charente River, the area is home to some of the world’s most prestigious Cognac houses such as Hennessy and Rémy Martin, offering the opportunity to sample the locally produced Brandy. During our visit to Honfleur, you will have the chance to experience the flavours and traditions of Normandy’s culinary heritage, enjoying locally produced Calvados and Camembert.

Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

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Life On Board

Introducing Borealis

Sister ship to Bolette, Borealis is perfectly suited for enjoying scenic cruising of the world's lesser-known waterways. From cruising past remarkable landscapes and historical sites to capturing the beauty of the natural world. 

Borealis at sea at sunset
Borealis at sea at sunset

Borealis

Sister-ship to Bolette, Borealis is perfectly suited for taking guests on a journey around the globe, enabling more exploration in more exciting ports. Her smaller size, spacious public areas, open deck spaces and impressive array of restaurants make her perfect for longer voyages, and shorter journeys alike.

702 cabins
1,360 guests
662 crew
61,849 GT
25kts max speed
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Your Guest Speakers

We’ve arranged for some wonderful guest speakers to join us for this cruise. They will be delivering a programme of insightful talks and activities to deepen your cultural, artistic and historical understanding of the destinations we will be exploring, well as helping you to enjoy the natural beauty of the places we visit.

Julie Ackroyd
Medieval History

Dr. Julie Ackroyd FHEA

As we explore France together, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Dr. Julie Ackroyd FHEA will be hosting a series of talks on the medieval history of the destinations we will be visiting.

Treats & Pastimes

In addition to our Signature Experiences, we have a selection of lovely Treats & Pastimes for you to enjoy when on board. Just check your Daily Times each day for full details.

Discover our Treats & Pastimes

Cabins, Prices & Offers

Cabin Options On Your Cruise

* Prices correct as of 18:00 15/10/2024, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on two people sharing a twin cabin. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.

* Prices correct as of 18:00 15/10/2024, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on sole occupancy. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.

Cabin Grades

Standard Pricing Solo Pricing
Suite

Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)

Borealis' Balcony Junior Suites have a private balcony and sitting/bedroom area.

Freedom Fare From £2,599 pp
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Suite

Balcony Junior Suite Wheelchair Adapted (BJD)

Borealis' Balcony Junior Adapted Suites have a balcony and sitting/bedroom area.

Freedom Fare From £2,599 pp
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Suite

Balcony Suite (BS)

Located on Highland deck & Bridge deck, Borealis' Balcony Suites have a private balcony.

Freedom Fare From £2,699 pp
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Suite

Premier Suite (PS)

Borealis' Premier Suites are located on Bridge deck, and have a private balcony.

Freedom Fare From £3,399 pp
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Suite

Premier Suite Wheelchair Adapted (PSD)

Borealis' Premier Adapted Suites are spacious and stylish, and located on Bridge deck.

Freedom Fare From £3,399 pp
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Suite

Olsen Suite (OW)

The Olsen Suite is the largest suite on Borealis, with a private balcony and sitting area.

Freedom Fare From £4,299 pp
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What's Included

SO MUCH ALREADY INCLUDED

As well as our Signature Experiences, there are a host of other treats to enjoy on board our ships.

  • À la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Daily buffet dining options
  • Late night Supper Club
  • Afternoon tea
  • Self-service tea & coffee
  • In-cabin dining & snacks
  • Evening shows
  • Live music & dancing
  • Dance classes
  • Lectures & talks
  • Cookery demonstrations
  • Traditional deck games
  • Daily games & quizzes
  • Swimming Pools
  • Jacuzzis
  • Fitness Centre
  • Fitness Classes

Enhance your cruise

Each of our cruises has been carefully designed for you to get the very best out of your time on board; and now you can enhance your cruise to make it even more special.

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