Most of the time cruise ships dock in the center of Bordeaux, at Port de La Lune along the quays of the Garonne river. However, larger ships may dock outside of the city at Le Verdon located at the entrance of the Gironde estuary approximately 2 hours’ drive from Bordeaux city, or at Bassens across the river from the city center.
1. Port de la Lune
Port de la Lune, or Port of the Moon, is the harbor of Bordeaux named this way in the Middle Ages, because of the bend of the river Garonne in this place.
The central Bordeaux terminal, the Port of the Moon allows docking of cruise ships up to 255 m. You will be in the very center of the historic city, only minutes away from monuments, key attractions, and shopping.
The ships dock on Quai Louis XVIII between Place des Quinconces and Bourse Maritime.
La Cite du Vin is only 15-minutes by foot from the Port de La Lune. You can also catch tram B just in front of the docks which will get you to La Cite du Vin in minutes.
A 48-hour Bordeaux City Pass may be a good option for you as it includes tickets to major attractions and museums as well as unlimited public transit rides.
Is Bordeaux City Pass a Good Value?
If you are interested in a wine tour, a private wine tour guide will pick you up at the bus parking in front of the docks. Small-group wine tours often depart from the Office of Tourism which is only a few minutes on foot from Port de la Lune, just across Place des Quinconces.
You will find a map of the Bordeaux terminal here and the timetables here.
2. Bassens
The Bassens Bordeaux terminal is not in the center of Bordeaux but within 30 minutes by car from it on the right bank of the Garonne river.
You cannot rely on public transportation to reach the city center. Taxi is the best option to reach Bordeaux attractions.
Being on the right bank you are in a good position to explore the wine regions of Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and Fronsac. However, the Medoc is also easily accessible from Bassens.
For your wine tour from the Bassens port, either rich the Office of Tourism, a point where many small-group tours depart from, or choose a private wine tour with pick up and drop off at the docks.
Bordeaux Wine Tours and Tastings
The map of the Bassens terminal can be found here.
3. Le Verdon
The Le Verdon terminal is located at the entrance of the Gironde estuary, near Le-Verdon-Sur-Mer. It is a major deepwater port (12.5 meters draft) specializing in the transportation of containers. However Le Verdon terminal can also accept large cruise ships.
The driving time from Le Verdon to Bordeaux is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.
However, if you are interested in wine, you are in the right place as some wineries of the Médoc are within a 30-40 minutes drive from Le Verdon.
See the map of the Medoc wineries and other Medoc resources in my Bordeaux Blog.
The map of the Le Verdon terminal can be found here.
