4 - Festivals and sailing. Honfleur (Rouen) to Bordeaux

Voyage description

This voyage offers the rare opportunity to sail in convoy with France’s legendary three-masted square-rigger, Le Belem from Honfleur, south bound for France’s wine capital, Bordeaux.

Guests are invited to soak up the atmosphere on the final day of the Rouen Armada, as one of the world’s largest gatherings of tall ships parades down the River Seine. A bus will take you from the festivities to Honfleur to board the Santa Maria Manuela as we prepare to sail west and south, along France’s rugged coastline in the company of some of the 50 sailing ships which will have converged on Rouen.

With a favorable wind, and all hands on deck, our crew will invite you to help hoist the sails and trim for best speed. The feeling of helming a 67m sailing ship as she responds to the command of the wheel is something to savor forever.

Knot classes are a great way to learn a new skill whilst sharing sailing stories with shipmates, and if the weather allows there's the opportunity to go up the mast or relax in the bowsprit netting. A drink at sunset on the deck is the perfect way to round off each day.

Soon we sail up the river Garonne to dock on one of Bordeaux’s UNESCO classified quays.

When you think of Bordeaux, it’s wine that comes to mind. And no wonder, with 60 appellations and 7000 winemakers, the city is the capital of a region which is home to some of the oldest vineyards and finest wines in the world. But Bordeaux has so much more to offer, unveiled perfectly during our final 24 hours as enjoy our deck BBQ whilst cruising up the River Garonne passing a landscape rich in culture, nature, vineyards and enchanting chateaux.

A final climax to the voyage and an honor as the Santa Maria Manuela arrives on the dockside as the focal point of the Bordeaux Festival opening ceremony and light show at 23h00.

The next day we disembark, with the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of the festival and explore the historic city of Bordeaux.

NOTE:

18th June - 09h30 SMM guests drop bags off on the SMM before exploring the festival

18th June - 17h00 SMM guests board bus from Rouen to Honfleur to meet the SMM