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Wines of Bordeaux
La Rochelle Shore Excursion - Wines of Bordeaux
 



Private La Rochelle shore excursion visits the Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux wine region, home to the Citadelle de Blaye, a Vauban fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2008. Tour includes two Bordeaux winery visits with tastings and free time to explore Blaye's mile long ramparts. English speaking driver guide, round trip from the La Rochelle cruise port. 8 hours.

8 hours (private)
private excursion
driver guide
english speaking local
all group sizes
sedan to full size coach
››
port or hotel
pick up either location
  • Pick up from Port in La Rochelle
  • Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
  • Private Vehicle with English Speaking Driver / Local Guide
  • Included: Visit 2 Bordeaux Wineries with Wine Tastings
Read Full Tour Description





Tour Number:
FLARO-01


Group Size (Prices in USD)*:
2 People - $1320 Per Person
3 People - $974 Per Person
4 People - $782 Per Person
5 People - $672 Per Person
6 People - $596 Per Person
7 People - $552 Per Person
8 People - $510 Per Person



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TOUR DESCRIPTION
 

Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux Wine Region Shore Excursion from La Rochelle

This full day La Rochelle shore trip visits the Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux wine producing region where you have reservations to visit two wineries for you to learn the art of wine making, followed by wine tastings of the local wines. Between your two winery visits you have free time for lunch.

After meeting your driver guide at La Rochelle pier, you start the shore trip with a drive south until you reach the northern vineyards of Bordeaux. This is the heart of Bordeaux's famous wine region. The wines produced here are a blend of Merlot grapes with deep, bold flavors, along with other local grape varieties, including Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The red wines produced in the area are powerful while the white wines tend to be intense and complex with a slight acidity.

Your tour today will include both a morning and afternoon visit in a carefully selected Chateau winery, based on availability at the time of reservation. Between your two winery visits you will visit the town of Blaye, home to about 5,000 people, where you have free time for lunch (meal not included) and exploration.

Blaye is rich in military history. Its one mile long rampart walls were constructed between 1685 and 1689 under the direction of the military engineer Vauban. The Citadelle de Blaye, along with two nearby forts on the Gironde estuary, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 as part of the Fortifications of Vauban. It is free to enter the Citadel and explore the village streets and ramparts, the most interesting part of Blaye outside of the red wines produced in the region.

At the end of this La Rochelle shore trip you will be brought back to La Rochelle pier.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, our La Rochelle shore excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private La Rochelle tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.

Please note
  • Due to uneven surfaces, steps, and walking distances, this itinerary is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs. Please contact us for alternative sightseeing options, including private driving tours that may better accommodate your needs.

What's Included

Included

  • Pick up from Port in La Rochelle
  • Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
  • Private Vehicle with English Speaking Driver / Local Guide
  • Included: Visit 2 Bordeaux Wineries with Wine Tastings

Not Included

  • Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Gratuities (optional, at your discretion)
  • Personal shopping

Tour Timing

All times are approximate and will vary based on your group's pace and interests.

  • 1
    Meet and drive to Bordeaux- 1 Hour and 45 Minutes
  • 2
    1 Hour
    Morning Winery Visit
  • 3
    Free Time for Lunch in Historic Blaye- 2.5 Hours
  • 4
    1 Hour
    Afternoon Winery Visit
  • 5
    Return to pier in La Rochelle- 1 Hour and 45 Minutes

Resources

Port of La Rochelle. Official port authority site for La Rochelle. Official Website

La Rochelle Tourism. Official tourism site for the city of La Rochelle. Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
No. Due to uneven surfaces, steps, and walking distances at the wineries and in Blaye, this tour is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs. Please contact us for alternative sightseeing options.
Is lunch included on this tour?
Lunch is not included. You have free time between the two winery visits to eat in the town of Blaye at your own expense.
Is the Citadelle de Blaye a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. The Citadelle de Blaye, along with Fort Pate and Fort Medoc across the Gironde estuary, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 as part of the Fortifications of Vauban, a group of 12 fortified sites built under the direction of the military engineer Vauban.
What grape varieties are grown in the Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux region?
The region is planted primarily with Merlot, along with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The red wines tend to be powerful while the white wines are intense and complex with a slight acidity.

Also Available:

›Savor the Cognac Region - To swap wine tasting for brandy, this tour visits the Remy Martin and Hennessy houses in Cognac, the most famous brandy producing region in France, with free time in the historic town center. 8 hours.
›France's Green Venice with Wine Tasting - For guests who want nature and boating rather than a full day of wineries, this tour explores the Marais Poitevin nature park, known as the Green Venice of France, by flat bottom boat, with one winery stop and tasting. 7 hours.

Our Back-to-Ship Guarantee

Every excursion returning 1.5 hours before departure is covered. If we are late, we cover your costs to reach the next port. More info ›


Average Rating: Average Rating: 5 of 5 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 7 Write a review »

  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- La Rochelle Friday, June 12, 2026
Reviewer: Roving L from Oronoco, MN  
All of the Tour guides  Drivers were very humble, knowledgeable and cooperative. Excellent service.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- La Rochelle Monday, November 10, 2025
Reviewer: Marilyn K from Lakewood Ranch, FL�  
They just texted me they said they had a fabulous time.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- La Rochelle Sunday, September 7, 2025
Reviewer: Gerri A, Sea Dreams Travel from Saint Cloud, MN  
Thank you and I will use you again. I will also let my host agency know how great you are to work with.   Clients really enjoyed their tours in France!

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- La Rochelle Monday, August 4, 2025
Reviewer: Sarah H from Santa Barbara, CA  
Thank you for contact me.  We all had a great time with your company.  We found your guides to be ontime and the vehicles were clean and perfect and the AC worked!  We did take a ship tour Palma and that was aweful - especially after being spoiled with private tours in Italy, Spain and France.  Our 17 day sailing went very smooth.   Ill write a nice review on trip advisor.  The guide in La Rochelle was the most wonderful lady.  She was a sommelier and she had us tasting the best wines.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- La Rochelle Saturday, May 3, 2025
Reviewer: Ken H from Wichita Falls, TX  
The Bilbao guide was very personable, and her English was good. We enjoyed Bilbao although we did not get to tour the Guggenheim solely because the couple we were with were not up to it. The tour in Bordeaux was even better - primarily the trip to St. Emilion. Our driver took us to a wine broker who gave us a very interesting tour of a small vineyard and wine making and storage facilities. Upon our return to Bordeaux, we met a sweet young guide who gave us a walking tour of a small part of Bordeaux. Her English was pretty good and we enjoyed the tour although we didnt cover much of the city.

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