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Barge Cruises in France ~
Loire
- Chenonceau
Magnificent
Renaissance chateaus at every turn! Please
note: The Cher River is currently closed to navigation, so this cruise is not
available for 2013. Cruise
the Cher River in the Loire River valley of France aboard a 6-passenger barge-hotel
(7 days - 6 nights). This small riverboat is a classic Dutch design with shallow
draft and is ideal for navigating the incredibly beautiful but sandy river. The
barge's traditional interior features a warm classic decor of rich varnished hardwoods,
stained glass and a welcoming country home atmosphere. 
TYPICAL
BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)
Day
1 - Sunday: Moulin de Nitray.
You are met in late afternoon at the designated meeting location and taken to
the barge, where a champagne welcome awaits you at the river mooring opposite
the 17th-century Moulin de Nitray. Dinner on the barge. Day
2 - Monday: Moulin de Nitray to Larcay. A
morning cruise through two locks takes you to the quaint town of Larcay, where
the barge moors for lunch. Afternoon excursion to the Chateau de Villandry with
its famous Renaissance gardens. Dinner
on the barge. Day
3 - Tuesday: Larcay to Vallet.
After a morning cruise passing six private chateaus, the barge stops across from
the village of Vallet, a cluster of buildings in the classic regional style of
architecture grouped around an 18th-century mill. From there, travel by minibus
to the chateau of Amboise on the banks of the Loire River. After touring this
magnificent royal chateau and the Clos Luce, Leonardo Da Vinci's last home, you'll
go back to the barge for dinner. Day
4 - Wednesday: Vallet to Chissay en Touraine.
Morning cruise with a possible stop at the Domaine de Fontenay for a wine-tasting,
then lunch on the barge while moored in Blere. In the afternoon you'll cruise
through one of the arches under the impressive Chateau de Chenonceau (a sight
to remember forever) and moor at Chisseaux before visiting the chateau. Continue
cruising upstream to Chissay en Touraine. Tonight you can enjoy dinner in one
of the local restaurants specializing in regional cuisine.
Day
5 - Thursday: Chissay en Touraine to Montrichard. Morning
cruise to the cave-dwelling hamlet of Bourré. A short walk from the next
lock takes you to one of the most unusual dwellings in the area, La Magnaneraie.
The Coquillat family have grown up in this hillside cave dwelling, which has been
in turn wine cellar, limestone quarry, and most recently a silkworm nursery. After
lunch take the minibus to Valencay, one of the most splendid chateaus of the Loire
River valley and the home of Talleyrand, Napoleon's foreign minister. Returning
to the barge, cruise to Montrichard and moor for the night. Dinner on the barge. Day
6 - Friday: Montrichard to Nitray.
Following breakfast, take a short walk to the heart of Montrichard and browse
at one of the largest weekly street markets in the Touraine region. You can also
explore the 12th-century chateau overlooking the medieval town square and enjoy
a wine-tasting at a local vineyard. After an early lunch, the barge travels back
down the river through the arches of Chenonceau. Captain's farewell dinner on
board the barge. Day
7 - Saturday: End of cruise.
After breakfast, transfer by minibus to the designated drop off location. This
itinerary is subject to change without notice.
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Highlights -
Chateau and gardens in Villandry
- Chateau
of Clos Luce, Leonardo Da Vinci's last home
- Chateau
of Amboise
- Chateau
of Chenonceau - visit and cruise underneath
- Chateau
of Valencay
- Other
Renaissance chateaus can be visited when on a charter cruise
- Visit
to a cave dwelling and silkworm nursery
- Montrichard
street market and chateau
- Wine
tastings
- Optional
hot-air ballooning
Included - Accommodations
with private bath or shower and all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on
day 7
- Wine
with lunch and dinner and selected alcoholic beverages consumed aboard the barge
- Sightseeing
tours and entrance fees as specified
Not
Included - Transportation
to and from beginning and end points.
- Health
and travel insurance
- Barge
crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
- Personal
expenses
- Optional
activities when available
- Other
items not specifically listed under "Included" above
Barge
Features - Cabins:
2 twins; 1 cabin can be set up as twin or double (6 passengers)
- 3
crew members
- Size:
81 ft. x 14 ft.
- Sundeck
- Air
conditioning and central heating
- Air-conditioned
minibus for excursions
Cruise
Departures Every
Sunday subject to availability, from Jun 24 through Oct 7
This
barge can be chartered for groups. Various themes and dates can be arranged to
fit the specific interests of each group. DEPARTURES
AND PRICES BOOK
YOUR CRUISE [top]
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