NYMPHEA - European luxury barge cruise vacations aboard the French Barge Nymphea in the Loire Valley region of France

NYMPHEA

- Standard Itinerary -

Luxury French barge cruises in the Loire Valley, France

You are met at 4.30 pm at the TGV railway station at St Pierre des Corps and transferred to Nymphea where a Champagne Welcome awaits you at our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray. Dinner aboard.

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.

While cruising in the morning we may pull in to the tiny landing stage next to Domaine 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. We take dinner tonight in one of the local restaurants specializing in regional cooking

A morning cruise takes us towards the troglodyte village of Bourré. 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. Once back on board we cruise to the next 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. Returning to the barge we cruise to Montrichard where we moor for the night. Dinner aboard.

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.

After breakfast disembark, and return to St Pierre des Corps Station arriving there at 9.30am.

NOTE: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternative weeks the cruise operates in reverse direction.