Top 10 Le Verdon Shore Excursion
If you are a long-term reader of this website or a long-term viewer of the CruiseHols YouTube channel, you will know I am not a big fan of Le Verdon, or Le Verdon-sur-Mer to give it its proper name, as well, there’s nothing there.
That means you either do what I did and that is simply stay on the ship or you head off on an excursion.
The lines know that of course and with no local operators nearby, they have somewhat of a monopoly at the port, so the prices of the excursions offered tend to be much higher than you would pay for similar trips from nearby ports.
That makes it imperative that you pick the right shorex for you and your travelling party but doing just that can be tricky.
So, just what are the top 10 Le Verdon shore excursions? That is just what we answer in this list, which is based on our experience of visiting the port on a cruise holiday and the research we did before visiting there.
Shore Excursions In Le Verdon
Soulac-sur-Mer Shuttle
With the often laughably high price of shore excursions in Le Verdon and with not too much on offer aside from trips to Bordeaux or Wineries, the best option can often be one that is free.
Some cruise lines offer included shuttles to the nearby village of Soulac-sur-Mer and whilst there isn’t a huge selection of things to do there, it is a great place to simply stroll around, enjoy the sea views and grab a cup of coffee in one of its café’s.
There are some interesting buildings to look at and a beautiful church and a day at the beach is always a great option for those with kids, so even if a shuttle down the coast to Soulac isn’t including in your cruise fair, paying for one may still be worth it.
Bordeaux on your Own
Bordeaux is a great city that sits around 65 miles from the port and there is lots on offer for those who choose to go there.
Whilst most lines will offer a few different ways to visit the city, the best way for me is to simply book on a shuttle there and explore all that it has to offer on your own.
The city centre is very walkable and it has a decent metro system utilising a number of different tramlines, so you can easily get around and enjoy all that Bordeaux has to offer.
Bordeaux Tour
It can take up to two hours to get from the port to Bordeaux, depending on traffic, so if you are only docked in Le Verdon for a few hours but want to see the best of Bordeaux, a guided tour of the city will likely be the best option.
Driving around the city allows you to see many of its sights including the huge Pace de la Bourse square, the La Cite du Vin museum, the Cathedrale Saint-Andre, the Grosse Cloche and the beautiful Pont de Pierre bridge.
WWII Atlantic Sea Wall
Much of the coastline of France was impacted by World War Two and the coastline close to Le Verdon certainty wasn’t spared.
Anticipating an Allied invasion by sea, Hitler ordered an impenetrable defence system to be built along the coastline and whilst it maybe didn’t prove to be as successful as hoped, parts of it do still survive to this very day.
Visitors with an interest in history or who just want to gain an insight into those dark days, a few bunkers near to Le Verdon have been saved from demolishment and can now be explored.
Hennessy Distillery
Lovers of brandy will likely know that the French version of it is known as Cognac, but many may not know that it is named after the town of the same name.
One of the most famous Cognac was established in the town by Richard Hennessy in 1765 and the Hennessy distillery can still be found there to this very day.
Starting with a ferry ride, you head to Cognac and arrive around 3 hours later so this is only an option for those with a long time in port, but you do get plenty of time to explore the distillery, learn about the history of the company and also try a few tipples for yourself.
Chateau Visit
The area around Le Verdon is home to many beautiful villages and the historical wealth of the region can perhaps be best seen at the numerous chateau you will see as you drive around.
One of the best examples is the stunning Medoc Chateau, for which many lines will offer an excursion to but other popular examples include the Chateau Cos d’Estoumel located about half way between Bordeaux and Le Verdon.
Medoc Vineyards
The Medoc Vineyard are located just off of the Route des Chateaux, which gives you incredible views of the French countryside as you travel to some of the most orderly and beautifully kept vineyards in the country.
You will get to visit some of the cellars which are full of wine barrels, learn about the techniques used to produce the drink and then get to try some of the local produce.
Fort Medoc
After enjoying a drive through the Medoc peninsula and enjoying stunning views, you will arrive at the historic Fort Madoc.
King Luis the XIV built the fort way back in the 1690’s and much of it still exists allowing cruisers to see its impressive entrance, its waterworks, the guard room and its underground room.
You will also gain an understanding of just how vast the complex once was and take in the stunning views out over the Gironde Estuary.
Bordeaux Food Walk
Bordeaux is famous for its wine and other alcoholic drinks but just like most French towns and cities, the food on offer there is just as good- if not better.
The enjoy the widest range of local dishes, from Canele to deserts and from chocolates to cheeses, Bordeaux has something for everybody when it comes to a gastronomic adventure.
Cordouan Lighthouse
Take a boat ride out into the Gironde Estuary entrance to take a look at, and guided tour of, the impressive Cordouan Lighthouse.
Referred to as the ‘King of Lighthouses’, it is one of the oldest in Europe having been built in the 17th century.
Le Verdon Shorex
If you are visiting Le Verdon on a cruise holiday, you will more than likely need to book a Le Verdon shorex to make the most of your time there.
With few options and high prices, choosing the right shore excursion in Le Verdon-sur-Mer is a difficult choice to make but hopefully this look at what we believe the be the 10 best Le Verdon shorex opportunities should help.
