Rivers, Harbours & Vineyards of France

La Pallice is the commercial port for La Rochelle, the popular coastal city in south-western France, and capital of the Charente-Maritime region, featuring a long legacy of maritime significance. Due to its strategic position on the Atlantic coast, the heritage stretches back almost five centuries, and was a sought-after naval base. La Rochelle is known as La Ville Blanche – The White City, so named for its limestone buildings which shine brightly in the warm Atlantic sun.

Exploring Bordeaux during the autumn offers you the opportunity to discover not just the world’s wine capital but also its fascinating cultural and historical sites. Spend time at Place de La Bourse, with its iconic Miroir d’eau, the world’s largest reflecting pool, or wander along the Rue de Saint Catherine and the maze of streets running through the city, lined with boutiques and wine shops. Renowned for its incredible wines, the region surrounding Bordeaux is home to numerous wineries and vineyards producing some of the best wines from around the globe. You can explore La Cite du Vin, a museum dedicated entirely to wine and its production and designed to look like a wine decanter, discover local food markets and 18 th -century architecture, or simply enjoy a glass of Bordeaux wine on the banks of the Garonne River.

The beautiful city of Rouen – known as the ‘City of a Hundred Bells’ is a hugely significant and historical destination, particularly prominent in both the Roman times and Middle Ages. Home to the imposing Cathédrale Notre-Dame, painted by Claude Monet, who grew up in Normandy; Rouen is also gateway to the French capital of Paris and its plethora of well-known cultural sights.

Originally occupied in the 9th century by the Vikings, the charming town of Honfleur has attracted artists for many years, with masterpieces housed in its museums and art galleries. Under the guidance of Eugène Boudin, a young Claude Monet and his friend Alfred Sisley began studying light effects and painting landscapes outdoors, rather than from memory, trailblazing for artists of the future.