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The narrowboat Tourmente is stopping off at Bordeaux from 8th to 13th September 2020 at the ‘Ponton d’Honneur’ jetty on Quai Richelieu as part of its 8th ‘Entre Deux Mers Voyage 2020’, featuring local produce, two exhibitions, innovative projects, art and history.

The Tourmente and its crew navigate the canals of Le Midi, the Rhône basin and the Saône, meeting locals along the way with the aim of educating the general pubic, businesses and elected officials about the river world.

From August 18th onwards, the Entre Deux Mers Voyage will take in 12 ports, including Bordeaux, Sète, Lyon and Saint-Jean-de-Losne. Since 2011, this operation has been crossing regions irrigated by waterways. Each time the Tourmente drops anchor, the hold of this historic narrowboat from the Midi Canal (1934) is opened up to the public, filled with various propositions.

Free entry, 10am to 7pm

From 12/08 (2.15am) to 13/08 (13.30pm) – MARINA – Bordeaux
From 14/08 (7.00am) to 14/08 (12.00am) – DEUTSCHLAND – Le Verdon
From 14/08 (4.45pm) to 15/08 (4.30pm) – DEUTSCHLAND – Bordeaux
From 14/08 (5.00am) to 14/08 (12.00am) – SEVEN SEAS SPLENDOR – Le Verdon
From 14/08 (5.15pm) to 15/08 (4.15pm) – SEVEN SEAS SPLENDOR – Bordeaux
From 16/08 (6.45am) to 17/08 (6.15am) – AMERA – Bordeaux
From 17/08 (11.00am) to 17/08 (6.00pm) – AMERA – Le Verdon
From 19/08 (9.15am) to  20/08 (8.00am) – WORLD VOYAGER – Bordeaux
From 21/08 (10.45am) to  22/08 (10.30am) – BREAEMAR – Bordeaux
From 22/08 (10.15am) to 23/08 (7.00pm) – WIND SURF – Grattequina
From 21/08 (8.00am) to  21/08 (7.00pm) – SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR – Le Verdon
From 23/08 (12.15am) to 25/08 (11.45am) – CRYSTAL SYMPHONY – Bordeaux
From 27/08 (3.00am) to 27/08 (3.00pm) – VEENDAM – Bassens

Access the 2020 program
Photo: mattcardinal – adobe.stock

This summer, the yacht Bougainville, owned by the cruise ship company PONANT, is to make Bordeaux her home port. This elegant boat with 92 luxurious cabins will travel up and down the Atlantic coast, allowing her passengers to discover the highlights of Gironde, Charente Maritime and the Basque Country.

This initiative is part of a national strategy which aims to showcase the strengths of French tourism. Throughout the summer, the company is offering 100% French cruises that depart from 5 great national ports: Bordeaux, Saint-Malo, Le Havre, Marseille and Nice.

The first cruise departing from Bordeaux, called ‘The Nature and Tradition of Nouvelle Aquitaine’ sets sail on 11th July, with the trip lasting for 8 days. At the moment of writing, 11 such cruises are set to leave from Bordeaux.

© Ponant/Philippe Plisson

The Bordeaux port authorities, the CLYD shipyard and Bordeaux Métropole are hosting the yacht YERSIN while it is refitted, from Monday 18th May 2020.

Yersin left the Piriou shipyard in Concarneau in 2015. The 77-metre-long ice class yacht is somewhat unusual in that it is an exploration yacht, able to navigate any sea and face any weather, including that of the North and South Pole, thanks to its aluminium and steel hull.

The ship was designed to be used frequently by scientists for oceanographic missions, aptly bearing the name of the famous Franco-Swiss doctor and explorer Alexandre Yersin, who was a student of Pasteur and discovered the bacillus of the bubonic plague at the end of the 19th century.

The Yersin arrived in Bordeaux late on Monday 18th May to dock for technical repairs. Around twenty members of the crew – which is usually made up of 40 members, including 18 scientists – are present during the stopover in Bordeaux. The yacht is initially docking for a dozen days at the Ariane pontoon run by Bordeaux Métropole before entering the dry docks of the Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux for various repair works.

Copyright: Laurent Hodebar

Embark on a river cruise to discover the estuary of the Gironde!  Guests can now enjoy, on the right bank, a new call in Royan. There, the port can accomodate 2 river cruise ships up to 135 meters.

A good opportunity to taste regional specialities such as Cognac (brandy), or oysters ! With its 50’s architecture and five sandy beaches , Royan has all the ingredients for successful holidays! Ideal for swimming, the Grande Conche is known for its iconic beach tents.

The majestic and unique Lighthouse of Cordouan, located in the open sea, only accessible by boat, is also a tour opportunity from Royan.
Guests will also enjoy the Palmyra Zoo , one of the most famous in France, with 1600 residents!

One of the river cruise companies settled in Bordeaux has already programed various calls in Royan for 2020 season, and there should be others soon…