The Gironde Estuary is located in south-western France formed at the point where the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers meet, and is an entry point to the city of Bordeaux. This is an area of fine wines: Blaye, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe and Médoc to name a few. 75km long, the Gironde flows through around 40 ports located in the ancient marshlands, where the main industries are sailing and fishing. Gironde Estuary

The Gironde estuary in western France is the largest in France and is formed by the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers near the Bay of Biscay. 6 miles. It is divided by small islands and mud banks into an eastern and a western channel. At the mouth of the estuary stands a famous lighthouse, the Phare de Cordouan, built in 1585 and enlarged in the 18th century. Ports on the estuary include Blaye with its magnificent citadel and Pauillac with its famous vineyards.

Garonne River

The Garonne is 602 km (341 miles) long, rising in the Spanish Pyrenees and flowing into the Gironde estuary. It plays an important role in inland shipping allowing seagoing vessels to reach the port of Bordeaux and forming part of the "Canal des Deux Mers", linking the Mediterranean Sea to the Bay of Biscay. The Garonne remains navigable for larger vessels up to the "Pont de Pierre" (Stone Bridge) in Bordeaux. River vessels can sail upstream to Castets-en-Dorthe, where the Canal de Garonne joins the river at Castets-en-Dorthe. This canal leads to Toulouse and forms part of the Canal des Deux Mers which extends for 370 miles from Bordeaux to Sete.

Dordogne River

The Dordogne rises in the mountains of Auvergne and flows generally west about 500 km through the Limousin and Périgord regions before entering the Gironde estuary. It is one of the few rivers in the world that exhibits the phenomenon known as a tidal bore. Below Argentat and around Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, the valley widens to fertile farmland and orchards. Historic towns provide quaysides which are lined with restaurants and bars. In Périgord, the valley widens further to encompass one of France's main gastronomic regions, with vineyards, poultry farms and truffle-rich woodlands. Libourne is the wine-making capital of northern Gironde and lies near Saint Emilion and Pomerol at the confluence of the Isle and Dordogne rivers. What makes Azamara Club Cruises® different from everyone else? It’s our focus on Destination Immersion®—which lets you stay longer and experience more on every one of our voyages. This means you get to explore everything from nightlife in Stockholm and morning walks in the French Riviera to all-day adventures in Costa Rica’s rain forests. Because life isn’t on a 9 to 5 schedule, and neither are Azamara voyages.

You’ll also experience incredibly scenic waterways and prime docking locations—two great advantages of our boutique-style award-winning ships. Here you’ll find people who are genuinely friendly and happy to make you feel welcomed, and with a maximum of 690 guests, staff and crew can quickly learn your name, tastes, and preferences, too. Plus you’ll enjoy lots of inclusive amenities that will leave money in your wallet and put a smile on your face. We’re the voyage for those who love travel.