Garonne River Dinner Cruise in Bordeaux (2 Hours)

Quai des Chartrons, the merchants' riverside

The cruise starts from the Quai des Chartrons, the long riverside of the old merchants' quarter north of the city centre. From the 17th to the 19th century, trading families built tall stone houses here with cellars and warehouses opening straight onto the quay, and ships loaded goods bound for northern Europe and the Atlantic colonies. Today the district is known for its antique shops, design boutiques and a lively Sunday market along the river.

Arrive a little early to stroll along the landscaped quays before boarding. The pier is easy to reach by tram line B, which stops a few minutes away. The exact pontoon appears on your booking confirmation, and the crew welcomes guests on board shortly before the 8 pm departure, so you have time to settle at your reserved table.

The floodlit Port of the Moon

Bordeaux grew along a wide crescent-shaped bend of the Garonne, which is why it is called the Port of the Moon, the name used for its UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2007. The listed waterfront stretches for kilometres, with an almost continuous line of 18th-century limestone facades. From the river you understand the city's design better than from any street: the grand buildings were made to be admired from the water.

At dusk the facades are floodlit one by one and their reflection trembles on the river, which is the best reason to choose an evening cruise. In summer the boat leaves in daylight and you see the sunset over the city; from autumn to spring the whole cruise takes place by night. Either way, a Bordeaux river cruise at night is one of the most atmospheric ways to see the city.

Place de la Bourse and the Water Mirror by night

The highlight of the evening is the view of Place de la Bourse, the royal square built between 1730 and 1775 and opened directly onto the Garonne. Its two pavilions and central fountain glow golden under the lights, and in front of them the Water Mirror, created in 2006, reflects the square in a thin sheet of water when it is in service.

From the boat you see the whole composition at once, something even visitors on the square cannot do. The relaxed dinner setting leaves you free to enjoy the view at your own pace and step out on deck for photos. If you want to see the square up close afterwards, it is only a short tram ride or stroll from the pier.

The Stone Bridge and the river bridges

Upstream, the Stone Bridge was the first bridge across the Garonne in Bordeaux, completed in 1822. Its seventeen arches of brick and pale stone are lit at night, each arch topped with a white medallion, and the bridge links the historic centre with the right bank. Downstream, the modern vertical-lift bridge opened in 2013 has four tall concrete pylons; its central deck rises to let tall ships and cruise liners through, and it is beautifully illuminated after dark.

The Garonne is a tidal river, and its strong currents and changing levels are part of its character. On a dinner cruise in Bordeaux you see how the city now faces its river again, with lawns, promenades and new districts growing on both banks, especially on the right bank where old docks have become parks and housing.

Dinner on board: the premium menu

Dinner is served at your table as the boat sails. The premium menu of the default option includes a starter, a main course and a dessert, with more refined dishes than the classic menu; the classic menu option is also available in the booking panel. Each dish is prepared on board by the chef and his team rather than brought in, so the food arrives freshly cooked.

Drinks and coffee are not included and can be ordered on board. The set menu follows French cuisine and changes with the seasons; please tell us about dietary needs when you book so we can pass them on, though we cannot guarantee halal-certified meat on board. Halal restaurants are easy to find in central Bordeaux if you prefer to eat before or after a shorter river trip.