Classic Loire Valley "Family" Cruise - Moulin de Nitray to Montrichard

Sunday, Day 1 - Moulin de Nitray
You are met at the designated meeting point and transferred to Nymphea where a “Champagne Welcome” awaits you at our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray. Dinner on board.

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 Amboise, where we visit the Mini Chateau and Aquarium Du Val De Loire. Set in 5 acres of landscaped park and crisscrossed by 6 railway lines of miniature trains, the model village has 45 miniature recreations of the finest chateaux in the Val de Loire region. The Aquarium has 40 pools displaying a diversity of aquatic life, including fish from the Loire, crocodiles from the Amazon and sharks from the deepest oceans. Return to Nymphea for dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 - Larcay to Vallet
After a morning cruise past no less than six private chateaux, we tie up opposite the hamlet of Vallet, a cluster of classic Tourangeau architecture grouped around its 18th century mill. We then enjoy Chateau du Clos Luce and its gardens, the last residence of Leonardo Da Vinci. Here you can discover his 40 fabulous machines, inventions that were 5 centuries ahead of their time, including his airplane, helicopter, parachute, car and tank, many of which are displayed in the landscaped gardens of the Chateau. If there is still time we visit Les Caves Monmousseau in Montrichard, cellars of the Monmousseau vinery. This is a 15km labyrinth of passages and deep caves which were once an old limestone quarry. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 - Vallet to Chissay en Touraine
While cruising in the morning we may pull into the tiny landing stage next to Domaine de Chateau de Fontenay from where 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. One can take a canoe from the lock before the castle, follow the barge and then explore the moat and arches of Chenonceau, before paddling upstream to rejoin the barge at its mooring. We can also visit St Aignan sur Cher to the ZooParc de Beaval, home to 4000 animals. Discover elephants, tigers, alligators, gorillas, tropical birds and much more including hourly marine animal and birds of prey shows to entertain you. (Alternatively we can visit Chateau de Loches, a huge 9th century Castle, steeped in history and famous for its massive Keep. In August they hold a 4 day Medieval Spectacular with cannons, sword fighting, and crossbow making and firing.) Upon our return we cruise upstream to Chissay en Touraine. We take dinner tonight in one of the local restaurants.

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 and take a short walk to La Magnaneraie one of the more unusual troglodyde dwellings in the Loire Valley. The Coquillat family has grown up in this hillside troglodyte habitation, which has been in turn a wine cellar, quarry for the tuffeau stone, and lastly a silkworm nursery. After lunch we visit the Chateau de Chambord which is one of the largest castles in the world and certainly the largest in the Loire Valley. The first sighting will take your breath away simply due to the scale of it. There are daily tours and costumed tours for children with special audio guides. Surrounding the chateau is the Parc du Chambord, the largest walled game reserve in Europe, where wild boars and red deer roam freely and can be seen from one of the 4 game observatories. There is a twice daily equestrian dressage display in the grounds and further exploration can be done by bike, boat or horseback, all of which are for hire. Returning to the barge we cruise to Montrichard where we moor for the night. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 - Montrichard 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. Additionally take time to explore the 12th Century Chateau de Montrichard and its Donjon constructed by Foulques Nerra overlooking the medieval town square. Then afterwards maybe spend some time on the ‘parc plage’ a small beach at the yachting club where you can hire a canoe or ‘pedaleau’ or go swimming. After lunch, Nymphea sets off downstream again, for another passage under the Chateau de Chenonceau where there is an outside children’s play area, maze and canoeing. On arrival at the hamlet of Nitray there may be time to visit the Chateau de Nitray, a large winemaking estate with an exceptional architectural ensemble including a chapel, pigeon house and landscaped ‘English Rose Garden’. Here you can enjoy an aperitif from their vineyards. Captains ‘Farewell Dinner’ on board.

Saturday, Day 7 - Nitray
After breakfast disembark, and return to the destignated drop off point.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
 

Classic Loire Valley "Honeymoon" Cruise - Moulin de Nitray to Montrichard

Sunday, Day 1 - Moulin de Nitray
You are met at the designated meeting point and transferred to Nymphea where a “Champagne Welcome” awaits you at our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray. While you unpack, enjoy a complimentary bottle of Champagne on ice in your cabin before your first romantic, candlelit dinner on board.

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 shady weeping willows, for lunch. Afternoon excursion to Chateau de Villandry, with its world-renowned renaissance gardens. Champagne cocktails before your romantic, candlelit dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 - Larcay to Vallet
This morning you will enjoy a romantic hot air ballooning flight above the beautiful Loire Valley. Return to the barge for a cruise past no less than 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. Champagne cocktails before your candlelit dinner on board.

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 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 Chissay en Touraine. From there we depart by minibus to visit the Chateau. We take dinner tonight a Michelin starred restaurant where we have arranged for you the best seats in the house.

Thursday, Day 5 - Chissy en Touraine to Montrichard
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. Champagne cocktails followed by a candlelit dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 - Montrichard 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 on board.

Saturday, Day 7 - Nitray
After breakfast disembark, and return to the destignated drop off point.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
 

Classic Loire Valley "Cycling" Cruise - Moulin de Nitray to Montrichard

Sunday, Day 1 - Moulin de Nitray
You are met at the designated meeting point and transferred to Nymphea where a “Champagne Welcome” awaits you at our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray. Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 - Moulin de Nitray to Larcay
After a continental breakfast we follow the Cher river by bike , downstream twenty kilometres, to visit the chateau and amazing gardens of Villandry. Cycling back is optional as the car and trailer meet us there after the visit. After lunch on board we cruise past the hamlets of Azay and Vallet. After a couple of little private chateaux on the left bank the small town of Blere appears ahead, and careful navigation is the order of the day under the many arched bridge, pilings of a 10thC mill left underwater pose a considerable obstacle and its always comforting to arrive for supper in the lock to the cheery welcome from the lockkeeper. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 - Larcay to Vallet
After breakfast we cross over to the River Loire by bike to tour the Chateau d'Amboise and then le Clos Luce, Leonardo da Vinci's home and its basement stuffed with models of his inventions. (10kms) We start up the Cher again, after a late lunch and after a tricky bit of navigation under Civray bridge, we are safely into the lock . Shortly after, around the corner , we see Chenonceau castle hove into site, its one of the most visited private chateaux in France, and belongs to Mr.Meunier of chocolate making fame, and we aim under the second arch from the right while being recorded for posterity in about 400 tourists holiday albums, being the only barge on the Cher has its privileges. We moor at the little village of Chisseaux and pedal back to the castle when the crowds start to die down, and see the amazingly decorated rooms, no expense spared by Thomas Bohier, Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis since its conception in 1515. Chateau visiting can be thirsty work so a sip and a swirl of the regional vintages can be had in the Chateau's winery or around the corner at the Caves de Pere Auguste in Civray. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 - Vallet to Chissay en Touraine
After breakfast we cruise to the village of Chissay en Touraine. In the afternoon we drive to the Chateau of Valencay, once home of Talleyrand and after our tour, take to the bikes again for a return cross country (24KM)via the myriad lanes to Seigy where we taste a plethora of regional wines at Domaine Max Meunier. An optional cycle ride afterwards or trip in the sag wagon returns us to Nymphea. Dinner onshore in a regional auberge.

Thursday, Day 5 - Chissy en Touraine to Montrichard
A morning ride to the regional capital, Blois, to see the impressive 15 th C.Chateau Royale, then we pick up the bikes and cycle along the banks of the Loire to a picnic spot (15kms)where we enjoy an al fresco lunch. Those that wish can continue back by cycle, (15kms) to the barge moored at Montrichard. A short walk from the next lock takes us to 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 on board.

Friday, Day 6 - Montrichard 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. After an early lunch, there is a choice of transport ;- bikes or our floating home as 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. Meet up with the cycle party there and enjoy a pre-Captains dinner aperitif from Nitrays vineyards. Captains Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 - Nitray
After breakfast guests are transferred to the designated drop off point.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
 

Classic Loire Valley "Golf" Cruise - Moulin de Nitray to Montrichard

Sunday, Day 1 - Moulin de Nitray
You are met at the designated meeting point and transferred to Nymphea where a “Champagne Welcome” awaits you at our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray. Dinner on board.

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 spent at Golf de Touraineat the Chateau de la Touche, Ballan Miré. Return to Nymphea for dinner on board (18 holes Par 71 - length 5673 m).

Tuesday, Day 3 - Larcay to Vallet
After a morning cruise past no less than 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 Tours Ardrée Golf Club. Laid out in 350 acres of park and woodland, the fairways thread their way through the trees and water hazards, leading to large but well protected greens. We take dinner tonight in one of the local restaurants specializing in regional cooking. (18 holes, par 72, 5734 metres).

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 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 Civray. In the afternoon we play the golf on the estate of the Chateau de Cheverny. Winding round the Rousseliere Lake, home to mallard ducks, swans and grey herons. Before returning to the barge we can visit the Chateau if time permits. An evening cruise takes us under the famed Chateau de Chenonceau to the village of Chisseaux. Dinner on board. (18 holes par 71, 6272 metres).

Thursday, Day 5 - Chissy en Touraine to Montrichard
A morning cruise takes us to Montrichard. After lunch we drive to Chateau des Bordes, which was originally conceived by industrialist Baron Marcel Bich (Bic pens fame) and businessman Mr Yoshiaki Sakurai. The two friends decided to create a world class golf course with an international dimension for their own and their guests' pleasure. Robert von Hagge, Texan architect of more than 200 courses, was employed to bring American expertise to the project. With no expense spared and free from development constraints, von Hagge created a masterpiece of extraordinary beauty exploiting the abundance of the Sologne's lakes to present water hazards at 12 of its 18 holes as it winds its way through the forest. The golf here is in the same league as Valderama. In fact, along with the former Ryder Cup venue, Les Bordes is one of only two courses in Continental Europe to enjoy the highest rating in the Peugot Golf Guide to 1000 European courses. Dinner on board. (18 holes, par 72, 7062 yards).

Friday, Day 6 - Montrichard to Nitray
There is much to explore at the 12th Century Chateau of Foulques Nerra overlooking the mediaeval town square. Before lunch, we visit one of the more unusual dwellings in the Loire Valley, La Magnaneraie. The Coquillat family has 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, Nymphea sets off downstream again, for another passage under Chenonceau with a chance to visit the castle, and arrives at the hamlet of Nitray. Enjoy a pre-Captain’s dinner aperitif grown in Nitray and Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 - Nitray
After breakfast disembark, and return to the destignated drop off point.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.