| DEPARTURE
DATES - (sundays) |
RATE |
ROUTE |
| June
- 24 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
| July
- 01, 08, 15, 22, 29 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
| August
- 05, 12, 19, 26 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
| September
- 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
| October
- 07 |
Regular |
Loire
Valley |
MEETING POINT
FRANCE - Loire Valley -
St Pierre des Corps TGV station at 4.30pm
(Charter groups can be met at their Tours Hotel at 4.50pm if preferred)
| Cruise Highlights |
Cuisine Aboard |
- Excursion
to the Château D'Amboise
- Cruise
under the famed Château de
Chenonceau
- Visit a Troglodyte cave dwelling
and see the
silkworm nursery
- Private tastings at Montrichard and Civray
- Château visit to Valençay
or Blois
- Experience the colourful street markets
- Optional Hot air Ballooning
|
Regional
Specialities
Filet Mignon de Veau à la Bière
et Moutarde,
Selle d'Agneau au Romarin, Saumon et Friture
|
|
Wine
Cellar
St Nicolas de Bourgueil,
L'Alliance des Generations, Sancerre, Vouvray
|
|
Cheese
Board
Valençay, St Maure de Touraine,
Selles sur Cher
|
ITINERARY
FOR Moulin de Nitray to Montrichard
Sunday, Day 1 St Pierre des Corps to
Moulin de Nitray
You are met at 4.30 pm at St Pierre des
Corps TGV station and transferred to Nymphea where
a “Champagne
Welcome” awaits you at our mooring opposite the
17th century Moulin de Nitray. Dinner aboard.
Monday, Day 2 Moulin de Nitray to Larcay
A morning
cruise through two locks takes us to the quaint town
of Larcay where we moor under the weeping
willows for lunch. Afternoon excursion to Chateau de
Villandry, with its world-renowned Renaissance gardens.
Dinner aboard.
After a morning cruise past no less that six private
chateaux, we tie up opposite the hamlet of Vallet,
a cluster of classic Tourangeau architecture grouped
around its 18th century mill. From there we leave for
our excursion by minibus to Amboise on the banks of
the Loire, where we visit the Royal Chateau D’Amboise
and the Clos Luce, Leonardo Da Vinci’s home.
Dinner aboard.
Wednesday, Day 4 Vallet to Chissay en Touraine
While
cruising in the morning we may pull in to the tiny
landing stage next to Domaine de Chateau de Fontenay.
A two minute walk brings us to their courtyard where
we can taste their range of Touraine wines as an aperitif
before lunch moored at Blere. In the afternoon we cruise
under the 5 arch bridge of the impressive Château
de Chenonceau and moor at Chisseaux. From there we
depart by minibus to visit the Chateau. Upon our return
we cruise upstream to Chissay en Touraine. We take
dinner tonight in one of the local restaurants specializing
in regional cooking
Thursday, Day 5 Chissy en Touraine to
Montrichard
A morning cruise takes us towards the troglodyte
village of Bourré. We tie up at the lock, a short walk
from which is one of the more unusual dwellings in
the Loire Valley, La Magnaneraie. The Coquillat family
have grown up in this hillside troglodyte habitation,
which has been in turn wine cellar, quarry for the
tuffeau stone, and lastly a silkworm nursery. After
lunch we drive east to Valencay, one of the most splendid
chateaux of the Loire and the home of Napoleon’s
foreign minister, Talleyrand. Returning to the barge
we cruise to Montrichard where we moor for the night.
Dinner aboard.
Friday, Day 6 Monttrichard to Nitray
Following breakfast,
a short stroll takes us to the heart of Montrichard,
into the midst of one of the
largest weekly street markets in Touraine. There is
much to explore at the 12th Century Chateau of Foulques
Nerra overlooking the mediaeval town square. Before
lunch we can visit the local vineyard of the Meriau
family, to taste the regional Touraine vintages. After
an early lunch, Nymphea sets off downstream again,
for another passage under Chenonceau and arrives at
the hamlet of Nitray in time to visit the Chateau and
rose garden of Nitray. Enjoy a pre-Captain’s
dinner aperitif from their vineyards. Captain’s
Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday, Day 7 Nitray to St Pierre des Corps
After
breakfast disembark, and return to St Pierre des Corps
Station arriving there at 9.30am.
This
is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
On alternate
weeks, cruise will be in reverse |