Enjoy wine tastings at illustrious wine cellars and guided tours of authentic French towns, exquisite medieval cities and intriguing historic abbeys. Sample local delicacies including a goats cheese tasting at a traditional goat farm, accompanied, of course, by a chilled glass of crisp Sancerre.
Admire the views over the Loire Valley from the medieval hilltop town of Sancerre, explore the wine centre of Tour de Pouilly-Fumé followed by a wine-tasting, and visit former Cistercian monastery, Fontmorigny Abbey.
E876 Operated by CroisiEurope
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Upper Loire Hotel Barge Itinerary - NVB_AIPP/BNV_AIPP
Day 1 - Paris (France) - Nevers
Arrive in Paris and transfer by coach to hotel barge Deborah. Meet the crew before dinner and enjoy a romantic evening tour of Nevers with lanterns. Moored overnight.
Day 2 - Nevers - Marseilles-Les-Aubigny
This morning there is a guided tour of Nevers. Visit the Espace Bernadette Soubirous, the final resting place of a girl from Lourdes who claimed to see the Virgin Mary 18 times. In the city centre admire the Ducal Palace and Nevers Cathedral. Visit the pottery quarter and enjoy a tasting of local delicacies. Rejoin the barge and cruise towards Marseilles-les-Aubigny for an evening at leisure. Moored overnight.
Day 3 - Marseilles-Les-Aubigny - Herry
Travel to Fontmorigny Abbey and admire the magnificent stained-glass windows before continuing to the beautiful village of Apremont-sur-Allier with its floral garden. Rejoin the barge and cruise to Herry. Moored overnight.
Day 4 - Herry - Menetreol-Sous-Sancerre
Travel to La Charite-sur-Loire and visit the magnificent priory, an important restoration site, before heading to a farm in the heart of the countryside. Later, return to the barge and cruise towards Menetreol-sous-Sancerre to spend time at leisure. Moored overnight.
Day 5 - Menetreol-sous-Sancerre - Lere
Discover the vineyards of Pouilly-sur-Loire and visit a wine cellar for a tasting. Back on board, cruise towards Lere and perhaps cycle along a section of the EuroVelo 6, a bike route that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea. Spend time at leisure this evening. Moored overnight.
Day 6 - Lere - Briare
Travel to Sancerre, overlooking the beautiful Loire Valley, and follow the Fil d'Ariane, a red line painted on the streets which leads past the town's key sights. Later, visit to a goat farm and enjoy sampling the trademark cheeses and local Sancerre wine. Rejoin the barge and enjoy cruising to Briare, crossing the impressive Briare Aqueduct. Moored overnight.
Day 7 - Briare - Paris
Disembark after breakfast and transfer by coach to Paris.
The Captain reserves the right to modify the itinerary in the light of conditions.