Day 1  ·  A Champagne Welcome

Moulin de Nitray – You are met at the TGV railway station at St Pierre des Corps at 4:30 and transferred to the hotel barge ‘Nymphea’. A Champagne welcome awaits you as we toast to the newly weds at our mooring opposite the 17th century watermill in Nitray.

While you unpack, enjoy a complimentary bottle of Champagne on ice in your cabin before your first romantic, candlelit dinner aboard.

Day 2  ·  Château de Villandry and its Famous Renaissance Gardens

Moulin de Nitray to Larcay – A morning cruise through two locks takes us to the quaint town of Larcay where we moor for lunch under the shady weeping willows.

In the afternoon an excursion to Château de Villandry, with its world-renowned renaissance gardens.

In the evening Champagne cocktails are served before your candlelit dinner aboard.

Day 3  ·  Château d’Amboise and Leonardo da Vinci’s home

Larcay to Vallet – In the morning if weather permits, you may enjoy a romantic hot air balloon flight above the beautiful Loire Valley.

Afterwards return to the barge for a cruise past no fewer than six private châteaux. We then 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 Château D’Amboise and the Clos Luce, Leonardo Da Vinci’s home. 

Champagne cocktails are served before your candlelit dinner aboard.

Day 4  ·  Wine Tasting and Visit the Château de Chenonceau

Vallet to Chisseaux – We cruise in the morning and we may pull in to the tiny landing stage next to Domaine de Fontenay.  A short two minute walk brings us to their courtyard where you can taste a range of their Touraine wines as an aperitif before lunch moored at Bléré. 

In the afternoon we cruise under the 5 arch bridge of the magnificent Château de Chenonceau and moor at Chisseaux.  Then we depart by minibus to visit the Château.

You will dine out tonight in a Michelin starred restaurant where we have arranged for you the best seats in the house.

Day 5  ·  Château de Valençay and a Troglodyte Home

Chisseaux to Montrichard – In the morning the cruise takes us towards the troglodyte village of Bourré. 

After lunch we drive to Valencay, and visit one of the most splendid châteaux of the Loire. It was the 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 are served, followed by a candlelit dinner aboard.

Day 6  ·  The Bustling Street Market in Montrichard

Montrichard to Nitray – A short stroll after breakfast, will take you to the heart of Montrichard, into the midst of one of the largest weekly street markets in Touraine.  The 12th Century Château of Foulques Nerra and it’s dungeon overlooks the medieval town square, and is well worth exploring. 

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, for another passage under Chenonceau and arrives at the hamlet of Nitray in time to visit the Château and English rose garden. 

Enjoy an early evening aperitif from the Chateau vineyards followed by the Captain’s Farewell Dinner served aboard.

Day 7  ·  Nitray to Tours

Nitray to Tours – After breakfast, disembark, and return by minibus to St Pierre des Corps Station arriving there at 9.30am.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change