Group Tour Operator for river cruises in Northern Europe
Loire Valley – History, Châteaux and Wine River Cruise (CroisiEurope) – NEW FRENCH RIVER CRUISE
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Château de Villandry
DRINKS PACKAGE AND ONE EXCURSION INCLUDED!
Considered to have once been the favourite region of French Kings, the Loire Valley boasts so much history. The area is brimming with vineyards, historic towns and fascinating architecture. However, the majestic châteaux dotted throughout the region are some of its’ main attractions. Embark on a cruise on the Royal Loire River, whose beauty is legendary, to discover the world of Jules Verne in Nantes, the historical shipyards of Saint-Nazaire and, of course, the magical castles.
Our ship is operated by one of the leading river cruise companies ‘CroisiEurope’ who operate a 50+ fleet of river and canal vessels with a minimum 4* standard of comfort, facilities and catering.
Dates
On request April - October
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Travel to Dover and take the ferry to Calais or Dunkerque. On arrival in France, continue to the Rouen area for an overnight stay. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 2
Travel to Nantes
Depart after breakfast and continue to Nantes to arrive in time for embarkation at 18.00 hours. There will be a Welcome Cocktail and reception before dinner. This evening, the ship will cruise to Saint-Nazaire.
Day 3
Saint-Nazaire – Nantes
There will be an optional guided tour (approximately 3.5 hours) of Saint-Nazaire, a stunning port located in the Loire Estuary renowned for its ship-building industry. Visit the Escal’Atlantic which relates the history of Norman and French ocean liners and tour the shipyard which is now the construction site for modern, elegant cruise ships. (A valid passport will be required to access the shipyard). Return to the ship for lunch and the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
This evening there is the opportunity to take an optional local boat trip on the Erdre, one of the most beautiful rivers in France. The trip will take approximately 2 hour 45 minutes.
Enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening on board.
Day 4
Nantes
Whilst in Nantes there are several optional excursions available. In all instances lunch will be taken on board.
(Morning): A guided tour of Nantes and the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany including a stroll around the medieval Bouffay quarter OR a visit to the Machines de I’lle – mechanical creations brought to life inspired by the famous Jules Verne. Followed by a walking tour of the secret courtyards and covered passageways of Nantes. (Each will take approximately 4.5 hours).
(Afternoon): A coach tour along the Muscadet Wine Route and the medieval village of Clisson including a stop at the Chateau Cassemichere (or similar site) to discover the history-filled vineyards, visit the cellars and taste a selection of the fruity and aromatic wines. Return to the boat via Clisson, a charming medieval city with an Italian flair. (Duration approximately 5 hours).
Return to the boat for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Day 5
Nantes – Chalonnes-sur-Loire
In the morniing we will cruise towards Bouchemaine. After lunch there are a couple of optional excursions available:
- A guided tour of Angers and the Château d’Angers which dominates the town and where the legendary Apocalypse Tapestry can be seen. After the visit of the Tapestry, a tour of the cathedral area will be made which includes Roman art ruis and rich Gothic style architecture.
- Alternatively, make a coach tour to the Château de Brissac, home to a Belle Epoque theatre. This seven storey/204 room residence has spectacular decor with a splendid Belle Epoque Theatre. End the tour with a visit of its’ cellars including a winetasting.
Return to the ship and enjoy dinner with entertainment this evening.
Day 6
Chalonnes-sur-Loire – Châteaux of the Loire Valley – Ancenis – Nantes
Today, our included excursion is a full day visit to some of the most famous Châteaux along the Loire Valley including the Château d’Azay-le-Ridieu, built on a small island in the middle of the Indre River and which is a French National Monument. In Villandry we will have some lunch followed by a walk through the gardens of the Château de Villandry which are spread over 3 levels. Continue to the Château d’Usse, a stronghold with fortified towers, turrets and steeples making it look like a fairytale castle and an inspiration to Charles Perrault when writing Sleeping Beauty.
Return to the ship which will moored in Ancenis for our Festive Gala Evening whilst sailing to Nantes during the night.
Day 7
Depart Nantes
Disembark after breakfast and start to make the return journey home, making an overnight stop in the Rouen area. Dinner will be included at the hotel this evening.
Day 8
Return to the UK
Continue, after breakfast, towards Calais and take the ferry across to the UK.
MS LOIRE PRINCESS
The design of this ship is exclusive to CroisiEurope since it is the first French ship to sail on the Loire, the last “wild river” in France. Built in 2015 in Saint-Nazaire, its specificity lies in its side paddle wheels and shallow-draft and a large fireplace is located in the middle of the lounge.
The welcoming public spaces have large window areas and the cabins on the upper deck have terraces with outdoor furniture. All meals during the cruise are served in the restaurant on the main deck. Onboard fun, music and dancing happen in the lounge / bar on the upper deck, where a cozy patio also provides great landscape views. The sun deck has deck chairs and sun loungers ideal for relaxing. In the reception area you can admire the mechanism of the paddle wheels during navigation.
Located on the main deck, the restaurant is where all meals are served during your cruise. It seats all guests at tables which vary in size with a panoramic view. The atmosphere is casual but elegant. The lounge, tastefully decorated, is located at the back of the ship and offers panoramic views. Cocktails and games, dancing, and other forms of entertainment all happen here. Start your day by joining the morning fitness class on the sun deck.
Cabin information/facilities (CroisiEurope)
All cabins are located above the water level and offer panoramic views of the landscape. They are equipped with private toilet, shower, washbasin and towels. Cabins are comfortable and include Satellite TV, hairdryer, safe and storage space. Depending on the boat, cabins have twin beds, a large bed or 2 separable beds. Voltage on board in 220V. All cabins are air conditioned and have independent thermostat controlled heating and air conditioning. The size and configuration of cabins vary from boat to boat. Some boats have cabins which are specifically equipped for people with reduced mobility (please ask for further details). There is free Wi-Fi throughout the ship.
Deposit and Payment Guidelines
A non-refundable deposit will be due upon confirmation with staged payments prior to departure. Further details upon request as these vary for each cruise company.
| Departure date | 8 days/7 nights | Single Supplement |
| April – October on request | Price on request | Price on request |
