Next a guided tour of Libourne and view its quaint 16th century townhouses, Jewish quarter, and 19th century synagogue. We begin at Place Abel-Surchamp, the main square of the city, hosting its famous outdoor market; we then continue to explore the ancient buildings on its narrow streets leading to the main square. Streets include Rue Victor Hugo, Rue Fonneuve, and Rue Lamothe, where its 19th century synagogue is located. At the synagogue we will visit with the local Jewish community and learn about Jewish life in the Bordeaux region.

Jewish Libourne: The Jewish presence in Libourne dates from the 16th century and was authenticated with the existence of its first synagogue, located in the Rue de Périgueux in the 18th century. In 1847, with the inauguration of its current synagogue, the Jewish population of Libourne was estimated at just 77 persons out of a total population of 9714 inhabitants. The synagogue was closed during the World War and its Sifrei Torah kept in a house in Bordeaux. They were then returned in 1950, following the arrival in the 1960s of Jews from North Africa; the synagogue reopened in 1962.

Guests will be presented with a choice of excursions: 

Option 1: Medoc region panoramic bus tour, chateaux visit and wine tasting: The name Médoc is synonymous with exceptional wines. Considered the world’s leading red wine producer, Médoc has been a winemaking region since the 18th century, with more than 16,000 hectares of vineyards across eight appellations. The epic ‘Route des Chateaux’, which translates to the ‘Route of Castles’, winds through the undulating countryside from Bordeaux to the Pointe de Grave, at the northern end of the Médoc region. We travel on a panoramic bus tour through this magnificent scenic region to a prestigious chateau and kosher winery for a tour and tasting.

Option 2: Chateaux visit and wine tasting at 2 kosher wineries: For those guests interested in more wine options, we have created a shorter panoramic bus tour with the option to visit 2 kosher wineries for chateau tours and tastings.

Afternoon tour options:

In the afternoon guests have the option to explore the local town on their own or

Option 1: Guided group walking tour of Ft Medoc

Option 2: Guided e-bike exploration of the local countryside

Or enjoy Kosher River Cruises signature onboard programming

Tonight is something special! A classical concert at Chateau d’Agassac: Set in spectacular surrounds in the Médoc countryside, Château d’Agassac is truly enchanting. Dating back to the 13th century, the Château is one of the oldest winemaking establishments in the region and is the venue for our unforgettable evening concert. We wandered through the château and its gardens and soaked in the ambiance of this magnificent property before a string quartet performed classical masterpieces for us.

Bordeaux’ ancient and rich history contrasts with its modernity and dynamism today. The city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 for several reasons. It functions as a hub of commerce and exchange – thanks to its role as the capital of a world-renowned wine growing region – and the importance of its river and port. In addition, it has an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble, with splendid honey-colored stone buildings. These make up a city core with 1810 hectares and over 360 historic monuments registered and protected. Trade with the French colonies built this handsome city, providing vanilla, sugar, spices and cocoa to inventive chocolatiers and bakers, who used these goods to create iconic desserts. Chocolate, once a Spanish monopoly, became part of Bordeaux’ culinary heritage when banished Spanish Jews brought the art of chocolate-making to France.  

Jewish Bordeaux:  Explore with our scholar in residence over 1,000 years of Jewish presence in the city.  We complete our tour with a visit to the majestic Great Synagogue of Bordeaux, inaugurated in 1882, where we will have the chance to meet and interact with the local Jewish Community. 

Guided tour of Bordeaux: We joined our local guides on a tour of Bordeaux. We discovered the highlights of the city by coach and on foot. Along the way, we learned interesting facts about the city’s history, culture and way of life. Next, we visit the magnificent Grand Synagogue where we have the chance to meet with the chief Rabbi who will give us a private tour of the synagogue and talk to us about Jewish life in the city.

Guests will have free time to explore the streets and go shopping through its famous pedestrian-only shopping districts at leisure.

Evening we begin a magical Shabbat onboard with old and new friends!

In the afternoon we have a Shabbat-friendly, guided walking tour from the boat as we continue our exploration of Bordeaux. After a magical Havdalah we depart and set sail for our next port of call. 

Three choices of standard or active tours to choose from 

Option 1: Guided walking tour of Blaye and the Citadel: Stroll through the charming city of Blaye with a local guide. Contained within the walls of the 17th-century Citadel of Blaye, a World Heritage-listed monument that overlooks the Gironde Estuary. 

Option 2: Active guided walking tour of Blaye and the Citadel: Explore the fascinating World Heritage-listed city and Citadel of Blaye on an active walking tour as we venture through its secret passages and underground system to gain an understanding of the defense system created by the famous architect Sébastien Vauban.

Option 3: Guided e-bike tour along the Captain’s Road: Named in honor of the WWI captains who chose to purchase their homes along this beautiful stretch of waterway in the early 20th century. We cycled with electric bikes through beautiful riverside villages and vinyards before returning to the ship.

Two tour otions to choose from:

Option 1: Guided walking tour of Cadillac and visit to a château: On the site of this well-preserved castle, Charlemagne constructed the first earth and timber fortifications as he advanced toward the Pyrenees. His fortress was later replaced with stone fortifications. Between 1860 and 1870, the French architect Viollet-le-Duc transformed the castle, with extraordinary interior decorations that earned the castle a listing by the French Ministry of Culture on the French Heritage roster as a Monument Historique.  Then next, on to Chateau de Cadillac, easily the most impressive building in the town, the home of the Dukes of Epernon; a gorgeous example of classic French architecture. 

Option 2: Kosher Winery & panoramic tour of the Sauternes Wine Route: Explore the famous wine region of Sauternes. Located in the southeast of the Graves de Bordeaux region it benefits from a microclimate that allows it to produce a liqueur wine called Sauternes Wine that is unique in the world.  Stunning scenery and large chateaus throughout this region make for a perfect excursion for an off the beaten path day of chateau exploration and kosher wine tasting.   

After breakfast, we bid you farewell. We hope to welcome you back again soon!