Dramatic scenery, good food, and great wine are staples of any cruise along the Dordogne and Garonne. Trickling into life on the slopes of Puy de Sancy, the highest mountain in central France, the Dordogne makes its leisurely way through deep-hewn valleys and sleepy towns in gastronomic Périgord. Much of its route has been designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, thanks to its unique and ancient characteristics - people have been living along its banks for thousands of years, and it is one of the few freshwater waterways in the world where you can experience a tidal bore.
A confluence of the Dordogne is the Garonne River, which wends its way through the wine-rich lands surrounding Bordeaux, past the ageless landscapes of the Gironde Estuary and out into the Atlantic Ocean. Wine really is a big deal here, and this corner of southwest France is renowned as one of the world's top producing areas. Typical grapes that thrive in its temperate, Mediterranean climate include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.
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Beginning in the Pyrenees, northern Spain, the River Garonne flows down towards the French city of Bordeaux, travelling through quaint countryside, charming villages, and famous wine regions. Along the banks we will be treated to the terracotta buildings of Toulouse, also known as 'The Pink City', and the historical commune Aiguillon, which lies in between the Lot and Garonne Rivers.
