See spectacular chateaux as you cruise the picturesque Loire Valley from Moulin de Nitray aboard luxury Hotel Barge Nymphea. Includes transfers, excursions, open bar and meals prepared by a Master Chef
The Loire is the longest river in France, flowing through verdant countryside from the Cevennes Mountains to the Bay of Biscay. This spectacular cruise winds through a broad, fertile valley passing fairytale chateaux.
Explore the magnificent Chateau de Villandry with its world-renowned Renaissance gardens, visit Chateau du Clos Luce, Leonardo Da Vinci's home, and cruise under the 5-arch bridge of the impressive Chateau de Chenonceau. Explore the troglodyte village of Bourre and enjoy a wine tasting in Montrichard, before Nymphea cruises to the charming hamlet of Nitray.
The Nymphea has a classical Dutch design, with warm wood interiors and stylish furnishings. The 3 en suite cabins accommodate six passengers, who are hosted by the Captain and expertly served by a Master Chef and Housekeeper. Bicycles are kept on board to allow guests to ride along the towpaths or explore at their own pace.
6 nights accommodation on 6 passenger Hotel Barge Nymphea
All meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef
Open bar with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
All wines served throughout the cruise
Excursions and admittance fees as per itinerary
Use of barge facilities including bicycles
Transfers to and from barge
Itinerary
Day 1Moulin de Nitray (France)
Guests are met near Tours** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to hotel barge Nymphea where the crew and a Champagne Welcome await you at our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray. Dinner on board.
Day 2Vallet
After breakfast we stroll up to Nitray to visit the château and rose garden. We taste their range of Touraine wine before returning to the barge and cruising up to the hamlet of Vallet. In the afternoon, we enjoy an excursion to Château de Villandry on the banks of the Loire. The château is world-renowned for its amazing array of ornamental, water, vegetable and herb gardens. Dinner on board.
Day 3Civray-de-Touraine
After a short morning cruise we enjoy a pre-lunch aperitif at Bruno Curassier’s Domaine de la Grange before continuing our cruise to Civray de Touraine. After lunch on board, we tour the Château d’Amboise, a royal residence of the Kings of France for 200 years. We also visit Château du Clos Lucé nearby, Leonardo Da Vinci’s home for the last 3 years of his life. Dinner on board.
Day 4Chissay en Touraine
This morning we cruise under the 5-arch bridge of the impressive Château de Chenonceau before mooring at nearby. From here we take a short drive in the air-conditioned minibus to visit Chenonceau, often called ‘the ladies château’, after those such as Henry II’s mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who added the bridge over the River Cher and the beautiful gardens. Evening cruise to Chissay-en-Touraine and dinner ashore at a local restaurant, La Boulaye.
Day 5Montrichard
A morning cruise takes us towards the troglodyte village of Bourré and we moor near one of the more unusual dwellings, La Magnaneraie. The Coquillat family have grown up in this hillside troglodyte habitation, which has been in turn a wine cellar, a quarry for the tuffeau stone, and lastly, a silkworm nursery. After lunch we drive to Valencay, one of the most splendid châteaux of the Loire. We then cruise to Montrichard where we moor for the night. Dinner on board.
Day 6Moulin de Nitray
Following breakfast, we explore the street market of Montrichard and the 11th century château overlooking the medieval town square, as well as the local vineyard of the Meriau family, to taste the regional Touraine vintages. In the afternoon, we cruise back downstream to Nitray before the Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Day 7Moulin de Nitray
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the drop-off point near Tours**.
Loire Valley River CruiseThis is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. **Other locations available for private charter bookings
