8 Day Loire Valley Cruise on Loire Princess Paddleboat

NANTES - SAINT NAZAIRE - ANCENIS - ANGERS - the Castles of the Loire -
SAUMUR - BOUCHEMAINE - ANCENIS - NANTES
NHN

 

Villandry Castle

Villandry Chateau

 

DAY 1: NANTES

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Our ship will start cruising towards Saint-Nazaire during the night.

DAY 2: NANTES – ST NAZAIRE

Join us for the optional excursions proposed:
CLASSIC: Tour of Saint Nazaire, a town on the sea. We'll visit Escal'Atlantic, a museum that explores the historic ocean liner experience, and the Saint-Nazaire shipyard, one of the largest shipyards in Europe (this excursion must be booked in advance through your travel agency. Each passenger will be asked to produce a valid passport in order to gain access to the shipyard).
OR
CLASSIC: Guided tour of Gurande, a fortified medieval city entirely enclosed by ramparts. We'll discover the process of harvesting Gurande salt, the undeniable symbol of the region.
DISCOVERY: Hiking in Gurande. Take a hike along the ramparts through the medieval city of Gurande and discover its salt marshes.
The afternoon will be spent cruising towards Nantes. In the evening, join us on an excursion for both packages: we'll board a local boat for a cruise on the Erdre River, one of the most beautiful in France.

DAY 3: SAINT NAZAIRE – ANCENIS

Join us for the excursions proposed:
CLASSIC: Guided tour of Nantes and the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.
DISCOVERY: Nantes, the Machines de l'le, secret courtyards and covered passageways.
Enjoy onboard entertainment as we cruise towards Ancenis this afternoon.

Or an optional guided visit of Guérande, surrounded by walls and overlooking the salt marshes, you will discover this medieval city and its history which has long captivated illustrious writers such as Flaubert, Gracq and especially Balzac. Continue with a visit of the salt marshes, undisputed symbol of the region. Accompanied by your guide, you will discover how the Guérande salt is formed as well as visit the salt marshes. Return on board for lunch. The afternoon is spent cruising to Ancenis. Entertainment on board. Overnight stop in Ancenis.

DAY 4: ANCENIS – BOUCHEMAINE

Join us on the excursions proposed:
CLASSIC: The Muscadet Wine Route and Clisson, a charming medieval town.
DISCOVERY: Helicopter ride(3), the Loire from above (this excursion must be booked in advance through your travel agency).
Our cruise continues to Bouchemaine. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.

DAY 5: BOUCHEMAINE - ANGERS

Join us on the excursions proposed :
CLASSIC: Guided tour of Angers, its historic districts and the famous Apocalypse tapestry.
DISCOVERY: Tour of Brissac castle and its cellars complete with a wine-tasting session*.
In the afternoon, we'll set out for an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Saumur and the Cadre Noir(1), which is on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and visit of the fortified city of Saumur.
Enjoy an evening of dancing.

DAY 6: BOUCHEMAINE – CASTLES OF THE LOIRE

Join us on a full-day excursion for both packages to discover the Castles of the Loire Valley. Enjoy an evening of entertainment.

DAY 7: BOUCHEMAINE – ANCENIS – NANTES

Join us on the excursions proposed:
CLASSIC: Excursion along the Angevine Corniche with its picturesque villages and many viewing points along the Loire.
DISCOVERY: Enjoy a scenic bike trip along the Loire River including charming typical villages.
The afternoon will be spent cruising the Loire towards Nantes. Tonight's our festive gala dinner and evening.

DAY 8: NANTES

Buffet breakfast on board. Disembark at 10.00 am. End of our journey.

 

(1) Optional excursions.
(2) Guided visits do not guarantee that you will see the riders and horses at work during the visit, particularly if the Cadre Noir de Saumur is away, or during competitions.

 

**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.

 

2021 RATES:

Departure
Ship
Main Deck

Upper Deck
07-Apr-21 Loire Princess $2,313 $2,801
15-Oct-21 Loire Princess $2,534 $3,022

 

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 excursion to the Castles of the Loire, the Captain's evening, the assistance of our hostess on board, 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.