Loire Valley, a Royal legacy (port-to-port cruise) Tour by CroisiEurope

6 daysDuration

Cruise TourExperience this tour on a cruise

15 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 79 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Brittany, France

Ends

Brittany, France

Highlights

EXCLUSIVE TO the Loire from above(1-2)

Offered full-day excursion to the castles of the Loire Valley Guided tour of the castles of Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry, and its gardens.

Wine-tasting in the cellars of the Brissac castle(1-4)

The Saint-Nazaire(1) shipyard, embodiment of French pride

The wine route of the Muscadet(1) through the vineyards of the Nantes region

Cruise on board a paddle steamer

Itinerary

Embark on a regal journey through the Loire Valley, renowned for its legendary beauty and royal heritage. This 6-day cruise trip begins and ends in Brittany, tracing a route through Bouchemaine and Ancenis in France.

Highlights include the vibrant city of Nantes and its imaginative Machines of the Isle, the impressive shipyards of Saint-Nazaire, and the majestic castles of the Loire, such as Brissac—France’s tallest château. This tour package is ideal for travelers who appreciate a blend of history, innovation, and architectural splendor.

The unique selling point: an immersive cruise through France’s "Valley of Kings," where every stop brings a new chapter of royal legacy and cultural wonder.

day 1 - Nantes - Saint-nazaire (6)

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner. The ship will sail towards Saint-Nazaire.

day 2 - Saint-nazaire (6) - Nantes

This morning, join us for an optional CLASSIC / DISCOVERY excursion: Saint-Nazaire, a seaside town. We’ll begin our visit with Escal’Atlantic, which traces the history of Norman and French ocean liners. We’ll then visit the actual Saint-Nazaire shipyard as it is today. Once the birthplace of the most outstanding French transatlantic liners, it is now the construction site for modern, elegant cruise ships. While following a tour designed especially for understanding the complexity of constructing these veritable floating palaces, you’ll discover the immensity of this site (267 acres), the stunning logistics, and the high technology put in place to build the ships (This excursion must be booked in advance through your travel agency. Each passenger will be asked to produce a valid passport in order to book the excursion and gain access to the shipyard).In the evening, join us on an optional CLASSIC / DISCOVERY excursion: A boat tour on the Erdre, one of the most beautiful rivers in France.

day 3 - Nantes

This morning, join us for the optional excursions proposed:
- CLASSIC: Guided tour of Nantes and the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.
- DISCOVERY: Nantes, the Machines de l’Île(3), secret courtyards and covered passageways.This afternoon, join us for the optional excursions proposed:- CLASSIC: The Muscadet Wine Route and the medieval village of Clisson. We'll pass through many of the villages attesting to the region's vigorous wine culture. We'll continue toward La Chapelle Heulin and stop at the Château Cassemichère (or similar site). This exceptional site invites you to discover its history-filled vineyards, visit its cellars and taste the dry, light, fruity and aromatic wine. Our next stop will be Clisson, a charming medieval city with 15th century ruins and an Italian flair.
- DISCOVERY: Soar over the Loire in a helicopter (you must register for this excursion at your travel agency before your departure).(2) An unforgettable experience! Catch a bird's eye view of Ancenis, its hills and castle, the 14th-century tower in Oudon, the châteaux de Clermont and de la Turmelière, etc.

day 4 - Nantes - Chalonnes-sur-loire - Angers(1)

We'll cruise to Bouchemaine. Optional excursions proposed:- CLASSIC: Visit the historical sections of Angers and see the legendary Apocalypse Tapestry(4). Capital of the Anjou region, Angers has many artistic and historic treasures and has become famous as much for its rich heritage as for its modernity and excellent quality of life. We'll visit the Château d'Angers, which dominates the old town, and admire the extraordinary Apocalypse Tapestry(4), one of the most important collections of medieval tapestries in the world. And we'll finish up with a tour of the cathedral area, combining Roman art ruins and rich Gothic-style architecture.- DISCOVERY: Tour of the Château de Brissac and wine tasting (4). We'll leave by coach for the Château de Brissac and visit the seven-story, 204-room splendid residence. The castle's spectacular decorations and the breathtaking Belle Époque theater are definitely not to be missed! At the end of our tour, we'll discover the castle cellars and enjoy a wine tasting.Tonight, join us for an evening of entertainment.

day 5 - Chalonnes-sur-loire - The Châteaux Of The Loire Valley - Ancenis

Today will be dedicated to an offered full day’s excursion to the Châteaux of the Loire Valley. Departure by coach towards the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau. Built on an island in the middle of the Indre River, the structure as it stands today was erected during the reign of Francis I by a wealthy financier, Gilles Berthelot, who sought to combine Italian innovations with French architectural art. Listed as a historic monument, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau embodies all the refinement of an early French Renaissance château.

Continuation to Villandry for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a stroll through the gardens of the Château de Villandry: spread over three levels, they combine aesthetics, diversity, and harmony. Then, visit the Château de Villandry. Through its furniture, décor, and atmosphere, it stands as a living testament to French heritage. The estate of Villandry has evolved over the centuries. Acquired by Jean Le Breton, it transitioned from a medieval fortress to a residence enriched with Renaissance elements. In the 18th century, the Marquis de Castellane transformed it into a comfortable and luminous place, reflecting the art of living of the time. In the 19th century, it was saved by Joachim Carvallo and Ann Coleman, who restored it to its Renaissance state. Today, Henri Carvallo continues this legacy by combining preservation with the enhancement of the site.

We’ll return to Ancenis for our festive gala evening. Our ship will cruise to Nantes during the night.

day 6 - Nantes

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast before disembarking at 10:00 a.m. End of our services.

The Loire Valley, a Royal legacy (port-to-port cruise)

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What's Included

Meals

Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final dayGala dinner

Others

Onboard drinks included (except for drinks from our special lists)Double-occupancy cabin with shower in bathroomWelcome cocktailOnboard entertainmentTravel assistance and repatriation insuranceAll port fees.

What's Excluded

Ship Details

MS Loire Princesse

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. The noble burgundy and pearly colors mingle with copper elements, which give a prestigious character to the interior decoration. A “royal” atmosphere to discover the Loire châteaux from the water. A nod to the famous “inexplosibles” that once crisscrossed the Loire: 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.

View Ship Details

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Sistema di prenotazione semplice e intuibile. In caso di necessità le istruzioni presenti sul sito sono risultate utili e chiare. Nessun problema riscontrato

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