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Bordeaux by River: An Unforgettable Avalon Waterways FAM Experience in France
- Frank
- Aug 12
- 7 min read
There are some travel experiences that stay with you long after you return home. My recent Avalon Waterways Familiarisation (FAM) Trip through Bordeaux, France, was definitely one of them.
I had the incredible opportunity to spend a week aboard the Avalon Artistry II, travelling alongside 20 other travel advisors from across Canada. It was an unforgettable combination of beautiful scenery, exceptional food and wine, fascinating history, French culture—and, of course, plenty of laughter and new friendships.
But what made this journey especially valuable was experiencing Avalon Waterways firsthand. As a travel advisor, it's one thing to recommend a river cruise to my clients. It's another to experience the ship, the service, excursions and destinations personally and be able to share that experience with confidence.
Welcome Aboard the Avalon Waterway Artistry II
From the moment we stepped aboard the Avalon Artistry II, it was easy to understand why Avalon Waterways stands out in the world of river cruising.
One of the biggest advantages is the space and design of the accommodations. Avalon is well known for its award-winning Panorama Suites, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and the innovative Open-Air Balcony. Rather than simply looking out at the scenery, you can open your space to the river and enjoy the landscape as you cruise along.
And in Bordeaux, the scenery is certainly worth watching.
The ship also offers a relaxed atmosphere, attentive service, excellent dining and a wonderful selection of included excursions and activities. Whether you're interested in exploring a destination on foot, getting active on a bicycle or simply relaxing onboard with a glass of wine while watching France glide by, Avalon gives you the flexibility to experience the journey your way.
One of my favourite things about river cruising is that the destination comes to you. Instead of constantly packing and unpacking and moving from hotel to hotel, your ship becomes your floating hotel while you explore multiple destinations.
Bordeaux: Where Wine, History and Culture Meet
Bordeaux is a destination that seems almost designed for travellers who appreciate the finer things in life.
The city itself is beautiful, with elegant architecture, historic squares, impressive waterfront views and a wonderful café culture. But Bordeaux is about much more than its famous wine.
During our journey, we explored the incredible landscapes surrounding the city and discovered the stories, traditions and people behind some of France's most famous wine regions.
And being there during Bastille Day made the experience even more memorable.
The streets were filled with French pride, celebration and excitement. 🇫🇷
But there was something else happening while we were in France that made this trip truly unforgettable—we were there during the FIFA semi-finals, cheering on France as the country celebrated its football success.
Experiencing France during Bastille Day while the entire country was caught up in FIFA fever was something you simply can't recreate in a brochure. We weren't just visiting France.
We were experiencing France.
Saint-Émilion: A Village Straight From a Storybook
One of the highlights of our journey was Saint-Émilion, one of the most beautiful wine villages in the Bordeaux region.
Walking through its narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and charming little squares felt like stepping back in time.
Of course, wine is at the heart of Saint-Émilion, and we had the opportunity to experience that firsthand.
Our visit to Château Montlabert offered a wonderful glimpse into the world of Saint-Émilion wine. From the beautiful property to the wine tasting, it was an experience that connected the landscape, history and traditions of the region.
This is one of the things I love about travelling with Avalon. The experiences aren't simply about checking a destination off a list. They're about connecting with the destination.
Blaye: History on the Gironde
Another fascinating stop was Blaye, located along the Gironde Estuary.
Dominating the landscape is the impressive Citadelle de Blaye, a remarkable military fortress designed under the direction of the famous French military engineer Vauban.
Standing within the historic walls and looking out across the estuary gives you a real appreciation for the strategic importance of this location throughout French history.
But Blaye also gave us another opportunity to experience the region's wine culture.
A visit to Château La Rose Brisson introduced us to another local producer and another perspective on Bordeaux's incredible wine heritage.
That's the beauty of travelling through Bordeaux—you can visit several estates and discover that each has its own personality, history and approach to winemaking.
Discovering Margaux
No Bordeaux experience would be complete without exploring the famous Margaux wine appellation.
We had the opportunity to visit Château Siran, one of the historic estates of Margaux.
The visit offered another fascinating look into Bordeaux's winemaking traditions and, naturally, another memorable tasting.
For anyone who loves wine, Bordeaux is a dream destination. But even if you're not a wine enthusiast, the estates themselves are worth experiencing for their architecture, history, landscapes and stories.
Château de la Brède: Following in Montesquieu's Footsteps
One of the most fascinating historical visits of the trip was Château de la Brède, the birthplace of the famous French philosopher and political thinker Montesquieu.
Surrounded by a moat and beautiful countryside, the château is an extraordinary piece of French history.
Walking through the property and learning about Montesquieu's life added another dimension to our journey. Bordeaux isn't just about wine and beautiful scenery—it has centuries of history and culture woven into the landscape.
Arcachon: A Change of Scenery
From vineyards and historic villages, we headed toward the coast and Arcachon Bay.
The contrast was incredible.
After spending so much time surrounded by vineyards and historic wine estates, arriving at the Atlantic coast provided a completely different side of southwestern France.
Arcachon is known for its beautiful coastline, beaches, seafood and relaxed seaside atmosphere.
We had the opportunity to explore the area, enjoy the coastal scenery and experience a completely different side of France.
It's another reminder of just how much variety can be packed into a single river cruise itinerary.
A Special Memory: Taking the Helm—and Ringing the Ship Bell!
Some travel memories simply can't be planned.
During our time aboard the Avalon Artistry II, I was given the incredible opportunity to take the helm and actually drive the ship.
Standing at the controls and looking out over the river was an experience I'll never forget. As a travel advisor, I spend so much time helping clients plan their dream vacations, but every once in a while, you get to experience something that feels completely unexpected.
And then came another memorable moment.
I asked the captain if I could ring the ship's bell.
His response?
"You can… but you'll need to buy everyone a drink!"
Well, how could I say no?
I rang that bell! 🔔🍷
And yes, that little adventure apparently came with a bar tab!
Everyone had a great laugh about it, and it became one of those spontaneous moments that made the trip even more special.
Because that's what travel is really about.
It's not just the destinations you visit or the photographs you bring home.
It's the unexpected moments.
It's the stories you tell years later.
It's standing at the helm of a river cruise ship in France, ringing the ship's bell, and laughing with a group of travel advisors from across Canada.
Special memories like this don't come around every day—and I'm incredibly grateful that I got to experience this one. 🇫🇷🔔🍷
More Than a Cruise—It's an Experience
One of the biggest takeaways from my Avalon FAM trip was just how much you can experience in a relatively short period of time.
We explored:
Bordeaux
Saint-Émilion
Blaye
Margaux
Arcachon Bay
Château de la Brède and Montesquieu
We tasted incredible wines, explored historic villages, experienced French culture, enjoyed local cuisine and created memories with 20 travel advisors from across Canada.
There were also opportunities to get active, including cycling through vineyards, valleys and villages, exploring markets and discovering the destinations in ways that went beyond simply riding on a coach.
And at the end of the day, we always had the comfort of the Avalon Artistry II waiting for us.
Why Avalon Waterways?
After personally experiencing this itinerary, I have an even greater appreciation for what Avalon Waterways offers.
More Views, More Space
Avalon's Panorama Suites are designed around the destination, with floor-to-ceiling windows and Open-Air Balconies that allow you to enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your own room.
Unpack Once
Your ship travels with you, meaning you don't have to repeatedly pack and unpack as you move from destination to destination.
Included Experiences
Avalon offers a variety of included excursions and activities, allowing travellers to explore destinations through cultural experiences, active adventures and guided sightseeing.
A Relaxed Way to Travel
There's something incredibly enjoyable about waking up in a new destination without having to change hotels or worry about transportation between cities.
Food, Wine & French Culture
And in a destination like Bordeaux, the combination of regional cuisine, world-class wine and French culture makes the river cruise experience even more special.
A Journey I'll Never Forget
This FAM trip was much more than a professional opportunity. It was a chance to experience France in a way that I will never forget.
From raising a glass of Bordeaux wine at a beautiful château to celebrating Bastille Day, from exploring Saint-Émilion to watching France's FIFA excitement unfold around us, every day brought something new.
And sharing it all with 20 incredible travel advisors from across Canada made the journey even more special.
As a travel advisor, I believe the best way to recommend a destination is to experience it yourself.
I've been there. I've sailed the river. I've explored the villages. I've tasted the wine. I've experienced Avalon.
And now I'm excited to help my clients discover Bordeaux and France for themselves.
Perhaps your next great French adventure should begin on the river. 🇫🇷🍷🚢
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