Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
Relaxation is at the heart of this five-night escape to France, perfectly timed around a bank holiday weekend – so you can enjoy more time away with fewer days of annual leave. Late spring brings a greater chance of milder weather, while carefully chosen ports invite you to savour the flavours of France, from world-class wines to mussels, local cheeses and freshly baked baguettes. Wandering Honfleur’s cobbled streets lined with timber-framed houses and intimate art galleries feels wonderfully unhurried. In Pauillac, you’ll be ideally placed for guided vineyard visits – walking among iconic Bordeaux vines, exploring château estates and tasting renowned wines – or you may prefer a visit to St Emilion, known for its boutique shops, chocolate makers and artisan cafés.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Discover Charming French Towns
On this cruise, you will be perfectly placed to explore the historic city of Bordeaux from Paulliac. Situated on the banks of the Garonne River, the city is home to elegant architecture, winding streets, picturesque riverfronts and bustling squares. From here, you can also reach the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saint-Émilion. This picturesque city is located in the heart of the Bordeaux wine region and is renowned for its rich history, exquisite vineyards and exceptional wines. The charming port town of Honfleur is situated on the scenic shores of the Normandy coastline, where the town boasts a rich maritime heritage that is reflected in its colourful waterfront buildings and bustling harbour. Quaint cafés, art galleries and seafood restaurants line the cobbled streets of the Vieux Bassin, the historic heart of Honfleur, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Immerse yourself in the French Culture
This itinerary allows you to fully immerse yourself in the French way of life. From Pauillac, you can delve into the heart of the Bordeaux region, exploring local vineyards to taste renowned wines and observe the wine-making process up close. In Honfleur, you will have the opportunity to savour the flavours and customs of Normandy's culinary heritage, indulging in locally crafted Calvados and Camembert cheese, whilst also exploring the town’s vibrant and rich art culture. This picturesque town has inspired many artists over the years, including renowned Impressionist artists Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin, thanks to its coastal scenes, changing light and quaint harbour. Many galleries line the traditional streets of the old town, showcasing contemporary works by local and international artists, as well as traditional paintings inspired by the town’s maritime heritage.
Cabins, Prices & Offers
Cabin Options On Your Cruise
Please call our Reservations Team for latest pricing and availability.
What's Included
SO MUCH ALREADY INCLUDED
Alongside comfortable cabin accommodation, and peace of mind perks such as our Satisfaction Guarantee and all UK port taxes and fees being covered, your cruise price includes all of the following:
Full board dining
- Five course à la carte dinners
- Daily casual dining options
- Late night Supper Club
- Afternoon tea
- Self-service tea & coffee
Leisure
- Evening shows
- Live music, dancing & dance classes
- Enrichment lectures and expert talks
- A variety of on-board activities
- Swimming pools & jacuzzis
- Fitness centre & classes
Freedom Fares also include
- Free shuttle service (for ports over one mile from the ship)
- Selected drinks with lunch and dinner
- Gratuities
- Pre-book fitness classes
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
Sister ship to Bolette, Borealis is perfectly suited for taking guests on journeys 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.
Your Cruise, Your Way
Whether you prefer a peaceful spot with a good book or a full day of activities and entertainment, life on board offers plenty of choice, all in the warm, welcoming atmosphere of our smaller ships. Just check your Daily Times each day for full details.
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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Take a look at our FAQs
Bank holiday cruises are ideal for a short escape. Enjoy more time away, less planning, and the comfort of our smaller ships and friendly crew, whilst exploring new destinations.
Thanks to the weekend and bank holiday, you will only need to take 3 days annual leave and can enjoy a 5-night getaway, making it perfect for relaxing and exploring.
Your first port of call is the pretty town of Honfleur, renowned for its charming harbour lined with cafés, and for inspiring several paintings by Claude Monet. Aromas of mussels and freshly baked bread will tempt you as you wander along cobbled streets and visit art galleries. From here, you can take a shore tour to visit Monet’s House & Garden, or sample Calvados and local cheeses at a traditional distillery.
Pauillac is your gateway to one of the greatest wine regions of the world, Bordeaux, where you can stroll through iconic Bordeaux vineyards and taste renowned wines; or explore Bordeaux itself, known for its impressive Opera House and the famous Miroir d’eau (water mirror) at the Place de Bourse.
This cruise is ideal for wine lovers, as you will have ample opportunities to explore the Bordeaux region, with its wealth of renowned vineyards and rich wine culture. The acclaimed Saint-Émilion wine region can be reached on a tour from Borealis, where you can explore the historic village and wander through the vineyards; or explore Château Rousseau de Sipian with its vat room and aging cellar and enjoy vintage wines and lunch in the Château’s dining room.
This Borealis cruise has been planned to offer you the chance to relax and spend the Bank Holiday weekend leisurely exploring Honfleur and Pauillac, or nearby Bordeaux. Savour world-class wines, local cheeses and bread; stroll amongst iconic vineyards or wander cobbled streets admiring charming architecture.
Late spring in France promises milder weather with pleasant temperatures and sunshine, perfect for exploring vineyards and sightseeing.
Your cruise to France is ideal for first-time cruisers who want to discover new destinations on a short break. It’s also perfect for couples who enjoy wine, French culture and food, as you’ll have a full day in both Honfleur and Pauillac to explore at a leisurely pace.
22 May 2026 - 27 May 2026
Bank Holiday Escape to France
May 22
Departure: late afternoonSouthampton
United Kingdom
May 23
Arrival: early morning - Departure: late afternoonHonfleur
France
Originally occupied in the 9th century by the Vikings, the charming town of Honfleur has attracted artists for many years, with masterpieces housed in its museums and art galleries. Under the guidance of Eugène Boudin, a young Claude Monet and his friend Alfred Sisley began studying light effects and painting landscapes outdoors, rather than from memory, trailblazing for artists of the future.
1 Day Sailing
Some of the best moments of cruising are the days spent at sea where you can relax and enjoy the wonderful programme of events and activities we have planned for you.
May 25
Arrival: late night - Departure: late nightCruise River Gironde
France
The Gironde River is West Europe’s largest estuary and is created at the meeting point of the Garonne River, flowing from the East, and the Dordogne River, flowing from the northeast. It extends for around 75 miles and widens considerably as it connects with the vast coastline along the Bay of Biscay. The area surrounding the Gironde River is renowned for its wine-producing, where many prestigious Bordeaux vineyards and chateau are located, and so the river plays a vital role in the city's history, trade, and transportation.
May 25
Arrival: late night - Departure: late afternoonPauillac
France
Situated in the Bordeaux wine region, Pauillac is well regarded as a key wine-producing area of France. The combination of renowned vineyards, beautiful landscapes and rich wine culture make it a special place to visit. The town itself is full of character with local cafes and restaurants offering regional dishes such as Canelé, a delicious cake with a rich, custardy filling, enrobed in a caramelised exterior; or meat dishes accompanied by bordelaise sauce, paired perfectly with a Médoc wine. Pauillac's other notable highlights are related to the chateaux and wine estates, among which are the acclaimed estates of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild and Chateau Latour.
1 Day Sailing
May 27
Arrival: early morning