Cruise the Loire river on board a paddle rivership along some of France's most beautiful landscapes. Discover the Loire Valley châteaux and stroll through the famous gardens of the Villandry Château and visit the Ussé Château.
Explore Nantes for an authentic journey through one of the major cities in Brittany, and pay a visit to the Saint-Nazaire shipyard. Famous for its rich cultural, hisoric and natural heritage, a Loire Valley cruise is also ideal to discover Angers, the capital of historic Anjou, and situated along the flowered coast. Our exclusive itinerary will also take you to the heart of France's culinary heritage with a tour of the Muscadet region known for the wines of the Loire.
The MS Loire Princesse is a specially designed vessel for the river Loire, a particular waterway, an invitation to explore beautiful scenic France.
The journey begins in Nantes, a mysterious and vibrant city that reveals itself through its secret courtyards and passageways, the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, and the Machines de l’Île, a fascinating world where Jules Verne’s imagination meets the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci. The stop in Saint-Nazaire, meanwhile, takes you deep into the fascinating world of ocean liners, from the shipyard, a flagship of French shipbuilding, to Escal’Atlantic. The Muscadet wine route and the medieval village of Clisson round out this first leg of the journey, offering a deep dive into the Nantes region before heading upriver.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Loire Valley is the setting for a complimentary day trip to explore its most beautiful castles. Azay-le-Rideau, perched on the waters of the Indre as if mirroring the Renaissance, and Villandry, renowned for the perfection of its French gardens, paint a picture of rare beauty, bearing witness to a royal way of life shaped over the centuries. It is aboard the MS Loire Princesse, a paddlewheel boat unique in the world, that you’ll experience this exclusive cruise, gliding silently between the sandy banks of the “Royal River.”
The itinerary concludes with a stop in Angers, whose medieval castle houses the famous Apocalypse Tapestry, a masterpiece of medieval art whose colors and precision continue to amaze visitors today. Nearby, the Château de Brissac, the highest castle in France, rises majestically from its expansive landscaped grounds, offering wine tastings in its historic cellars. With its exceptional heritage, Loire Valley cuisine, and gentle landscapes, the Loire reveals a regal, refined, and deeply captivating side of France.
It was a fantastic cruise! A big thank you to the Captain, the purser Carol, the hostesses Raphaëlle and Viviana, Vincent and Cyril’s kitchen team, and the deck and housekeeping staff. Great job, everyone. Plus, Carol, Raphaëlle, and Viviana are always “attentive to the guests’ needs,” which we really appreciate.
