Châteaux of the Loire Valley Chambord and Chenonceau and Cruise on the Royal Loire River

Paris

We¿ll greet our passengers at 5:00 p.m. at the Quai de Grenelle in Paris. You¿ll be transferred by coach to a typical Parisian brasserie for dinner. Our coach will then take you to your 3- or 4-star hotel for the night.

Paris - Châteaux of the Loire - NANTES

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. At 8:00 a.m., we'll set off by coach for the Château de Chambord. King Francis I built this extraordinary castle as a hunting lodge. It is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinctive architecture blending traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. Enjoy a tour of this majestic castle and its grounds. We'll then continue on to Chenonceau, stopping for lunch in a local restaurant. Our afternoon will be spent visiting the Château de Chenonceau. Once of the best-known and most-visited châteaux in the Loire Valley, it spans the Cher River. Its architecture is a fascinating mix of late Gothic and early Renaissance. The list of aristocrats and nobles that have lived in it is astounding: Thomas Bohier, Diane de Poitiers, and Catherine de' Medici, to name just a few.

After our visit, we'll head to Nantes, arriving in the evening. We'll welcome our passengers on board upon your arrival. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Excursion for both packages: A boat tour on the Erdre, one of the most beautiful rivers in France.

NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE

This morning, join us for the excursions proposed :
CLASSIC : Guided tour of Nantes and the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.
DISCOVERY: Nantes, the Machines de l'Île, secret courtyards and covered passageways.
In the afternoon, take part in our excursion for both packages : Tour of Saint Nazaire, a town on the sea. We'll visit Escal'Atlantic, a museum that explores the historic ocean liner experience, and the Saint-Nazaire shipyard, one of the largest shipyards in Europe (this excursion must be booked in advance through your travel agency. Each passenger will be asked to produce a valid passport in order to gain access to the shipyard). We'll return on board in Saint-Nazaire. Enjoy an evening of dancing.

SAINT-NAZAIRE - ANCENIS

We'll spend this morning cruising towards Ancenis. In the afternoon, join us for the excursions proposed:
CLASSIC : The Muscadet Wine Route and Clisson, a charming medieval town.
DISCOVERY: Helicopter ride(2), the Loire from above (this excursion must be booked in advance through your travel agency).
Enjoy an evening of entertainment.

ANCENIS - BOUCHEMAINE(1) - Angers

We'll cruise towards Bouchemaine. Join us for the excursions proposed :
CLASSIC : Guided tour of Angers, its historic districts and the famous Apocalypse tapestry.
DISCOVERY: Tour of Brissac castle and its cellars complete with a wine-tasting session*.
Enjoy an evening of entertainment.

BOUCHEMAINE(1) - The Châteaux of the Loire Valley - ANCENIS

Join us on a full-day excursion for both packages to discover the Castles of the Loire Valley. We'll return on board in Ancenis. Tonight's our gala dinner and evening. Our ship will start sailing towards Nantes.

NANTES - Paris(3)

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast before disembarking at 10:00 a.m. Possibility of coach transfer(3) between Nantes and Paris. End of our services.