Loire Valley Wine Cruise
Cruise Highlights
• Cruise under the famed Chateau de Chenonceau
• Visit a Troglodyte cave dwelling and see the silkworm nursey
• Excursion to the Chateaud Amboise
• Private wine tasting at Montrichard & Civray
• Chateau visit to Valency or Blois
• Optional Ballooning
Special Interest Cruises on Request
Boat Features
• 80 Feet Long
• 6 Passengers
• 3 British Crew
• 2 Twin Staterooms
• 1 Twin Dbl. Staterooms
• Air Conditioned Saloon
• Central Heating
• 16 Touring Bikes
• Bus with A/C
Boat Design
Cuisine Aboard
Regional Specialities
• Filet Mignon de Veau à la Bière
et Moutarde
• Selle d'Agneau au Romarin
• Saumon et
Friture
Wine Cellar
• St. Nicholas de Bourgeuil
• L'Alliance des Generations
• Sancerre
• Vouvray
Cheese Board
• Valancay
• St. Maure de Touraine
• Selles sur Cher
Testimonials
"We have recently returned from a holiday on La Belle Epoque and felt that we must write to compliment your Company on the quality and service you have delivered. Martin Pocock and his staff, Rachael, Dean, Georgina and latterly Guy cannot be praised too highly. They all played their respective parts in making our holiday happy and truly memorable. "
"We just returned from a fabulous week aboard La Belle Epoque.
The crew was wonderful, and made our trip so pleasant! Our hostesses,
Lynn and Barbara were so pleasant to be around and took such good
care of us. The chef, Guy prepared wonderful meals with a wonderful
variety of regional tastes.
We really appreciated that he kept the meals fairly light (I
didn't even gain a pound!). Our first mate/tour guide Nick Jones
was delightful and very knowledgeable and capable. He made us
feel very at home. Finally, our captain, Leigh Wooton was just
wonderful. He welcomed us aboard with open arms and made us feel
safe while keeping us entertained.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and we have sent many
people that we ran into in Paris to your web site for more info."
Details
Gastronomy
BREAKFAST: Breakfast is usually continental with fresh breads, pasties, jams, fruit, cereals, yoghurts, fruit juices, regular and decaffeinated coffee and tea.
LUNCH: Luncheons are buffets of colourful salads, pates and cold meats that may be accompanied by hot soup or entrée, delectable desserts and a different selection of regional cheeses and wines daily
DINNER: Always a gastronomic adventure by our talented chef. A taste of regional cuisine by candlelight. Harmonizing food and good wines from the best vineyards. Followed by a selection of regional cheeses. Coffee and liqueurs served in the saloon. Non-alcoholic beverages and regular or decaffeinated tea and coffee, whole or low fat milk, are offered with all meals.
Captain's Dinner: Captain’s dinner on the last night. Dress slightly formal.
Special Food Requirements: Special food requirements (such as vegetarian or allergies) are catered for if requested in advance. Please give as much advance notice as possible – preferably 8 weeks prior to the cruise departure at least.
Drinks which are included: There is an open bar on board with alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks available 24 hours a day. Champagne and Special vintage wines are not included although you may purchase bottles at cost of Champagne and Premier and Grand Cru wines on board if you let us know in advance how many of each you would require
Leisure & Entertainment
ON BOARD CYCLING HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES EXCURSIONS BY MINIBUS EXCURSIONS FOR CHARTER GROUPS FOR THOSE NOT WISHING TO ATTEND EXCURSIONS Golf Charter - $500 per golfer supplement – Available for Charter Groups only Walking Charter - $3000 per charter supplement
– Available for Charter Groups only Wine Charter - $3000 per charter supplement – Available for Charter Groups only. |
Groups and Agents
100% customer satisfaction is our aim so if you have a special request, just contact us and we will be pleased to help you.
We have more than 40 vehicles with the latest active and passive safety measures to provide comfortable and efficient Transfers
We can create Tours based on practically any theme and any budget. We can also book hotel and chateau accommodation for any size party.
Barges in the Loire Valley :
Nymphea • 6 Nights • Nitray in the Loire Valley
Approximate Prices
Sundays
Prices - State Room
Regular Season: 2,700€ pp
Note: Rates include TGV train tickets Paris - Saint Pierre des Corps - Paris
Inquiry Form The 6 passenger Nymphea is a classic Dutch design with shallow
draft and is ideal for navigating the incredibly beautiful yet
somewhat sandy reaches of the river Cher in the Loire Valley.
Refitted throughout, her traditional ship interior features a
warm classic decor of rich varnished hardwoods, stained glass
and a welcoming country house atmosphere
Nymphea has three comfortable cabins providing two twin bedded
state- rooms and one twin or double stateroom with en-suite facilities.
Her crew of Captain, Chef and Tour Guide are most knowledgeable
about the history in this beautiful area, , and are excellent
hosts for your luxury cruise along the river Cher in the Loire
valley.
ITINIRARY
Sunday, Day 1
Azay sur Cher to Moulin de Nitray
You are met at 4.30 pm at the TGV railway station at St Pierre
des Corps and transferred to Nymphea where a Champagne Welcome
awaits you. Cruise upstream to our mooring opposite the 17th century
Moulin de Nitray. Dinner aboard
Monday, Day 2
Moulin de Nitray to Bléré
A morning cruise through two locks takes us to the quaint town
of Bléré where we moor for lunch. Afternoon excursion
to Chateau D'Amboise and the Clos Lucé, Leonardo Da Vinci's
home. Dinner aboard
Tuesday, Day 3
Bléré to Chissay en Touraine
A short stroll over the bridge to admire the colourful street
market in Bléré. Morning cruise to Civray de Touraine
where an optional short cycle ride takes us to Les Caves de Père
Auguste for a wine tasting. After lunch we cruise under the 5
arch bridge of the impressive Chateau de Chenonceau and moor at
Chisseaux. From there we depart by minibus to visit the Chateau.
Early evening cruise to the village of Chissay en Touraine. Dinner
aboard
Wednesday, Day 4
Chissy en Touraine to St Aignan
An early start sees the Nymphea tackling the upper reaches of
the navigable Cher, arriving at St Aignan, the head of navigation
where we moor in the shadow of the castle. An afternoon excursion
is made either to Blois with its chateau, Musée de la Résistance
and cosmopolitan shopping streets, or the Chateau de ValenVay,
with its renowned gardens. Dinner ashore in a local hostelry
Thursday, Day 5
St Aignan to Montrichard
After a chance to stroll the old centre of St Aignan, we cruise
downstream to the hamlet of Bourreé. A short walk from
the lock takes us to 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. Before supper we visit the local vineyard
of the Meriau family, to taste the regional Touraine vintages.
Dinner aboard
Friday, Day 6
Montrichard to Nitray
Following breakfast, a short stroll takes us to the heart of Montrichard,
into the midst of one of the largest weekly street markets in
Touraine. There is much to explore at the 12th century Chateau
of Foulques Nerra overlooking the mediaeval town square. After
an early lunch, Nymphea sets off downstream again, for another
passage under Chenonceau and arrives at the hamlet of Nitray in
time to visit the Chateau and rose garden of Nitray. Enjoy a pre-Captains
dinner aperitif from their vineyards. Captains Dinner aboard
Saturday, Day 7
Return to Paris
After breakfast disembark and transfer by minibus to St Pierre
des Corps Station in time for the 09.30 TGV to Paris.
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change
