Gourmet & Glamour: France, Spain & the Channel Islands with Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Your journey begins in Southampton, a buzzing port city on the south coast of England. Before boarding, you might visit the SeaCity Museum to learn about Titanic’s fateful voyage from this very port, or wander the medieval walls and Tudor architecture of the old town.

Once aboard Seven Seas Voyager®, settle into your luxurious suite and step out onto your balcony to watch Southampton fade into the distance as you glide away on your 5pm departure. With the English Channel and Bay of Biscay ahead, toast your adventures with champagne and cocktails before dinner at the restaurant of your choosing, perhaps Chartreuse or Prime 7.

Before leaving UK shores, you’ll sail into Falmouth, a vibrant Cornish port wrapped around a deep natural harbour. In town, soak up estuary views from the ramparts of Pendennis Castle, explore maritime museums and local galleries, or relax on one of Falmouth’s sandy beaches.

Beyond the town, arty St Ives beckons with its cobbled lanes, magical light, and artist studios and galleries, while the futuristic biomes of the Eden Project showcase plants from around the world. Visit the historic castle and gardens perched on the tiny tidal islet of St Michael’s Mount, or let ancient Cornwall reveal itself through standing stones, Iron Age settlements and the enigmatic stone dolman of Lanyon Quoit.

A leisurely day at sea gives you time to appreciate life onboard Seven Seas Voyager®, as you cruise the English Channel and Bay of Biscay. Unwind with a treatment in the spa or a few hours lounging poolside. Watch the scenery and seabirds drift by, as you listen to live music in the Observation Lounge or sip a glass of wine on your balcony. Or set off to explore the ship, playing shuffleboard on the top deck or browsing duty-free boutiques.

As evening approaches, the atmosphere shifts. Sip cocktails before a Broadway-style show, have a flutter in the casino, dance the night away, or slip away for a cigar and brandy (at additional cost) in the Connoisseur Club.

Today, you’ll dock in Bordeaux, the legendary wine capital where centuries-old vineyards produce some of the world’s most coveted vintages. Over the next two days, taste your way around some of its most famous wine regions. Explore the medieval charm and rolling vineyards of UNESCO-listed St Émilion, or head to the Médoc to visit grand châteaux and sample wine from their historic cellars.

In Bordeaux city, discover elegant 18th-century architecture and the interactive Cité du Vin wine museum, or venture to nearby Cognac for brandy tastings in historic houses. Experience Bordeaux after dark on an evening excursion, savouring fresh oysters at sunset in the Bay of Arcachon or enjoying a gourmet meal paired with exceptional local wines in a grand château.

Today, you’ll anchor in the picturesque fishing bay at Saint-Jean-de-Luz, your gateway to the French Basque Country and the Belle Époque glamour of nearby Biarritz. With its blend of chic seaside resorts, rugged Atlantic coastline and distinctive Basque culture, this fiercely independent corner of France is captivating.

Explore the glitzy resort of Biarritz, former playground of European royalty, and wander the atmospheric streets of Saint-Jean-de-Luz with its sweeping sandy bay. Discover half-timbered houses and chocolate stores along the river at Bayonne, or lace up your hiking boots and walk the dramatic coastal path. Perhaps you prefer to soak up Basque culture, joining a shepherd for the day in the Pyrenean foothills or mastering local recipes at a Basque cooking class.

Arrive in Bilbao, one of the treasures of the Spanish Basque Country and a city of contrasts, where the avant-garde blends with the medieval. Admire curvy architecture and contemporary art at Frank Gehry’s titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum. Then wander through the atmospheric cobbled lanes of the old town, pausing in lively bars to graze on pintxos paired with crisp txakoli wine.

Venture beyond the city to San Sebastián, home to elegant architecture and a golden, crescent-shaped beach, or set off along the coast to explore fishing villages and rocky coves battered by Atlantic swells. Alternatively, discover the wine regions of Rioja or Txakoli, or delve into local gastronomy, combining tastings with cookery classes.

After crossing the Bay of Biscay overnight, you’ll arrive in Lorient, known as the ‘city of five ports’ for its sprawling harbour network. It’s a lovely place for a wander, picking up local handicrafts in artisan boutiques, and visiting the old submarine base, now a naval museum.

Further afield, Southern Brittany is packed with history. Admire the gothic grandeur of Josselin Castle, a medieval fortress and jewel of the Breton Renaissance, or gaze in wonder at the Carnac megaliths, where thousands of Neolithic stone structures are arranged in long, mysterious lines. Vannes is one of the region’s prettiest towns with medieval houses and mighty ramparts, while Quimper is a Renaissance city of art and history, renowned for its half-timbered houses and traditional faience pottery.

Time for another leisurely day at sea as you cruise around the rugged Brittany coastline. If you’ve been inspired by the French and Basque food you’ve tasted, the Epicurean Enrichment Studio offers cooking demonstrations and tastings exploring regional flavours and techniques.

If you’re feeling energetic, hit the jogging track, fitness studio or padel court. Or just take it easy. Settle into a quiet spot on deck with a book, join other guests for cards or an aperitif before lunch, or simply watch the coastline drift by. Come evening, you might book a table at one of the specialty restaurants or enjoy dinner at Compass Rose or the Italian trattoria, Sette Mari, and see where the evening takes you.

Arriving in St Malo is an impressive sight, with tall granite townhouses rising behind the fortified walls. Walk the ramparts for sweeping views over the harbour and islands, visit the striking Saint-Vincent Cathedral, then explore the walled city center with its inviting cafes, artisan boutiques and historic buildings. Or simply relax on the sandy beaches.

Out of town, visit mystical Mont-St-Michel, where you can climb to the gravity-defying abbey perched on top of this holy island and wander the medieval lanes below. Inland, Dinan is a riverside town with plenty of medieval charm, while the seaside town of Granville attracts fashion lovers with its museum dedicated to Christan Dior, housed in the designer’s childhood home.

Experience life on the second largest of the Channel Islands with a day in Guernsey. Step ashore in the capital, St Peter Port, a charming harbour town with steep cobbled streets lined with boutiques and excellent restaurants. Discover the island’s history at Castle Cornet, the 800-year-old fortress guarding the harbour, or stroll through Candie Gardens for views over town and sea.

Beyond the capital, island tours showcase Guernsey’s beautiful beaches, historic sites and rolling countryside. You could take a boat trip around the neighbouring islands to spot gray seals and seabirds, join a guided coastal walk, or visit a local apple orchard to learn about – and taste – Guernsey’s famous cider.

Our final port is Le Havre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rebuilt after World War II by visionary architect Auguste Perret. The city’s striking modernist buildings are worth exploring on a guided walk, but most excursions head further afield.

The D-Day landing beaches offer a moving experience. Visit Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, and key sites from the 1944 Normandy invasion. Medieval Rouen is another option with its famous cathedral – one-time muse of Claude Monet – and charming old town. Or spend the day in Paris, taking in the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Louvre and Notre Dame on a guided tour, with free time to store in Parisian boutiques and explore at your own pace.

This morning, arrive back in Southampton at the end of your voyage. We can arrange for transport to the airport for your onward travel, or speak to our specialists about extending your trip in the UK.