Margaux-Cantenac

Margaux-Cantenac is a river cruise port and town in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, in the Gironde department, about 20 kilometres north of Bordeaux. It is one of the gateways to the Médoc wine region and its vineyards, with river ships calling here typically being smaller vessels designed for river cruising rather than the large ocean going ships found at coastal ports.

The village lies in the Haut Médoc wine making region on the left bank of the Garonne estuary, and wine is central to the character of the area. Margaux is also the name of the wine appellation covering the village and the neighbouring villages of Arsac, Labarde, Soussans and Cantenac. It is the most southerly of Médoc’s appellations. The 1855 classification included more wines from Margaux than from any other appellation, while Château Margaux was one of only four wines awarded Premier Cru status.

For cruisers, the main attraction is the collection of historic wine estates surrounding the port. Shore excursions can visit properties including Château Margaux, Château d’Issan, Château Prieuré-Cantenac, Château Brane-Cantenac, Château Palmer and Château Cantenac Brown. Many of these estates feature grand manor houses and gardens, giving visitors a chance to see the landscapes and properties associated with some of the region’s best known wines.

A stop at Margaux-Cantenac offers an easy introduction to the Médoc wine country, with vineyards, historic estates and the traditions of Bordeaux wine all close to the river. It is a place where the setting is as much a part of the visit as the wine itself. On The Cruise Globe, you can see the route your ship took as it passed through this historic wine region.