For booking information:
330 Rayford Rd #704 / Spring TX 77386
713.240.6753 / 888.869.7907
or E-mail: jan@europeanbarging.com

7 Day Loire Valley Cruise

PARIS - CHÂTEAUX OF THE LOIRE VALLEY - NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE -
NANTES - CHALONNES-SUR-LOIRE - ANCENIS - NANTES
NSN-CLR

 

Chenonceau in Minature

 

A taste of Paris linked with the history of France: discover the castles of the Loire between Chambord and Chenonceau before boarding the river boat for a cruise on the Royal Loire river whose beautiful landscapes are legendary. Visit Nantes and The Machines of the Isle of Nantes, a gallery that recreates the imaginary world of the famous writer Jules Verne. Discover Saint-Nazaire and admire its shipyard and the Escal'Atlantic which immerses you in the world of steamships from the beginnings of their gigantic construction to life on board. Soak up the magical castles of the Loire such as Brissac, the highest castle in France whose monumental facades rise up from its large landscaped park.

 

DAY 1: PARIS

Our guide will greet you starting from 5:00 p.m. at the your Paris hotel. At 6:00 p.m., you’ll be transferred by coach for dinner. After dinner, our coach will take you back to the hotel for the night.

 

DAY 2: PARIS - LOIRE CHATEAU - NANTES

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. At 6:30 a.m., we’ll set off by coach for the Château de Chambord. King Francis I built this extraordinary castle as a hunting lodge. It is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinctive architecture blending traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. Enjoy a tour of this majestic castle and its grounds. We’ll then continue on to Chenonceau, stopping for lunch in a local restaurant. Our afternoon will be spent visiting the Château de Chenonceau. Once of the best-known and most-visited châteaux in the Loire Valley, it spans the Cher River. Its architecture is a fascinating mix of late Gothic and early Renaissance. The list of aristocrats and nobles that have lived in it is astounding: Thomas Bohier, Diane de Poitiers, and Catherine de' Medici, to name just a few.

After our visit, we’ll head to Nantes, arriving in the evening. We’ll welcome our passengers on board upon your arrival. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail.

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DAY 3: SAINT-NAZAIRE - NANTES

This morning, join us for an optional excursion for both packages: Saint-Nazaire, a seaside town. We’ll begin our visit with Escal’Atlantic, which traces the history of Norman and French ocean liners. We’ll then visit the actual Saint-Nazaire shipyard as it is today. Once the birthplace of the most outstanding French transatlantic liners, it is now the construction site for modern, elegant cruise ships. While following a tour designed especially for understanding the complexity of constructing these veritable floating palaces, you’ll discover the immensity of this site (267 acres), the stunning logistics, and the high technology put in place to build the ships (Only on pre-booking before departure. Each passenger will be asked to produce a valid passport in order to gain access to the shipyard).

In the evening, join us on an optional excursion for both packages: A boat tour on the Erdre, one of the most beautiful rivers in France.

 

DAY 4: NANTES

This morning, join us for the optional excursions proposed :
CLASSIC: Guided tour of Nantes and the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.
DISCOVERY: Nantes, the Machines de l’Île(3), secret courtyards and covered passageways.

This afternoon, join us for the optional excursions proposed:

CLASSIC: The Muscadet Wine Route and the medieval village of Clisson. We'll pass through many of the villages attesting to the region's vigorous wine culture. We'll continue toward La Chapelle Heulin and stop at the Château Cassemichère (or similar site). This exceptional site invites you to discover its history-filled vineyards, visit its cellars and taste the dry, light, fruity and aromatic wine. Our next stop will be Clisson, a charming medieval city with 15th century ruins and an Italian flair.
DISCOVERY: Soar over the Loire in a helicopter (you must register for this excursion at your travel agency before your departure).(3) An unforgettable experience! Catch a bird's eye view of Ancenis, its hills and castle, the 14th-century tower in Oudon, the châteaux de Clermont and de la Turmelière, etc.

 

DAY 5: ANCENIS - THE CHATEAUX OF THE LOIRE VALLEY - CHALONNES-SUR-LOIRE

Day of excursion offered to the castles of the Loire. Departure by coach to the castle of Azay-le-Rideau. Built on an island in the middle of the Indre, the building, as it stands today, was raised under the reign of Francis I by a rich financier, Gilles Berthelot, who wanted to reconcile innovations from Italy and art of building French. Classified as a historical monument, the castle of Azay-le-Rideau expresses all the refinement of a castle of the first French Renaissance.

Continue to Villandry for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a walk in the gardens of Villandry Castle: spread over three levels, they combine aesthetics, diversity and harmony. Then visit the castle of Villandry. Through its furniture, its decor, its atmosphere, it is a living testimony of the French heritage. The estate of Villandry evolves over the centuries. Acquired by Jean Le Breton, it goes from a medieval fortress to a house enriched with Renaissance elements. In the 18th century, the Marquis de Castellane transformed it into a comfortable and bright place, a reflection of the art of living of the time. In the 19th century, he was rescued by Joachim Carvallo and Ann Coleman, who restored his Renaissance state. Today, Henri Carvallo pursues this heritage by combining preservation and enhancement of the site. Coach travel time is estimated at 4am round trip).

Back to Chalonnes-sur-Loire.

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DAY 6: CHALONNES-SUR-LOIRE - ANGERS - ANCENIS - NANTES

In the morning, optional excursions:

- AUTHENTIC: visit of Angers, its historical quarters and the famous hanging of the Apocalypse(3). At the gates of the Loire Valley, the cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty still radiates with all its splendor. The silhouette of the medieval fortress dominates the flourishing Renaissance city. It also houses the extraordinary hanging of the Apocalypse. Guarded like a treasure in the darkness inside the imposing Castle of Angers, you will have to pass the walls of the fortress before arriving in front of this monumental tapestry.

- EXPERIENCE: visit of the castle of Brissac(3) and wine tasting. The Dukes of Brissac has remained for more than half a millennium, the highest castle in France, elevating its monumental facades from its large landscaped park. Here, life at the castle is not an empty word, quite the opposite. You enter into the intimacy of a family history and its soul transports the visitor through its sublime rooms with a dazzling decor. The visit ends in the cellar with a wine tasting.Afternoon in navigation to Ancenis. Let yourself be charmed by the last wild river in Europe. Indeed, despite the transport of goods, the imprint left by man over centuries is shallow.

Return to board. Afternoon sailing to Ancenis.

Gala evening. Night sailing to Nantes.

DAY 7: NANTES - PARIS

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast before disembarking at 09:00 a.m. Transfer by coach from Nantes to Paris. End of our services.

 

**Please note that this is a bi-lingual ship with information provided in both English and French, and an international cruise host on board.**

For reasons of navigation and passenger safety, the Captain of the ship reserve the right to modify the itinerary of the cruise.

There might not be any other english speaking guests on these dates.

 

2026 / 2027 RATES:

Prices Include: Full board cruise from dinner of the first day to breakfast of the last day in a double cabin with showers and toilets, welcome drink, entertainment, the Captain's evening, the assistance of our hostess on board, FREE Wi-Fi and port taxes. DRINKS PACKAGE INCLUDED - Soft Drinks, as well as tea and coffee specialties, Beer, sparkling white wine, Cremant and Prosecco (in a glass), as well as open wines and daily recommendations from the wine menu (by the glass), Cocktails and long drinks throughout the day and evening.

Prices Do Not Include: Drinks, not listed above, insurance and optional excursions.

For reasons of navigation and passenger safety, the Captain of the ship reserve the right to modify the itinerary of the cruise.