Cruising the Landscapes and the Châteaux of the Loire Valley

Local departure by coach, then to the Rouen area for an overnight stay.

Explore some of the beautiful Normandy Coastline as we visit Honfleur, with its famous 17th century harbour, a favourite or artists. We continue to pretty Deauville, before heading to overnight hotel, near Dinan.

Spend the morning in the pretty fortified town of St Malo. Explore the town and its many attractions, including the impressive ramparts, which surround it with beautiful views across the sea. We later head to Nantes, where we board our cruise ship for five nights. Dinner this evening is followed by a welcome party on board.

Optional cruise excursion along the Erdre, “the prettiest river in France” according to Francis I. Discover the history of this river and its many castles as you cruise along.

Join our included guided visit of Nantes. You will walk along the little streets in Bouffay (the medieval quarter), through to the beautiful and flamboyant Gothic Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul. Next you will visit Feydeau Island, a former island now joined to the rest of the town, and a superb example of 18th century architecture, before heading for the quays in Nantes.

Explore the shopping area, which began to appear in the 19th century around the Graslin Theatre and the famous 'Passage Pommeraye' shopping mall.

The tour then continues to the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. The last castle along the banks of the Loire before the river reaches the ocean, this Breton monument, with its remarkable buildings from the 15th and 17th centuries, is a magical and compelling part of Nantes’ history and heritage.

Return on board for lunch. Set off by coach from Nantes for an optional tour of Saint Nazaire.

We begin with a visit of Escal’Atlantic, which retraces the story of the two great liners (the Normandie and the France) in a quite ingenious way, using real film footage and actual artefacts, mixed with some special effects.

Continue on to the Saint Nazaire shipyard, one of the largest shipyards in Europe. The tour gives you an understanding on the various stages of construction of these modern floating palaces – very impressive! Each passenger will be asked to produce a valid passport or identity card in order to gain access to the shipyard. We rejoin the ship in Saint Nazaire for dinner, followed by an evening of music and dancing.

We spend the morning cruising along the Loire. We arrive in Ancenis in the early afternoon and set off for an optional excursion along the Muscadet Wine Route, passing through several villages.

Continue the tour to La Chapelle Heulin and stop at the Chateau Cassemichère (or similar). In this exceptional location, you will have the opportunity to learn about its historic vineyard, visit the cellars and taste the white wine.

Next, head for Clisson, a charming medieval town.

We continue our cruise to Bouchemaine. Join our optional excursion of the town of Angers. Capital of the Anjou region, Angers has many artistic and historic treasures and has become famous as much for its rich heritage as for its modern amenities.

Former home of the House of Plantagenet and a thriving Renaissance city, Angers also contains the famous medieval fortress of King René, with its enormous walls, where the world renowned Apocalypse tapestry hangs.

You will then cross the city of canons, remnants of Roman and Plantagenet Gothic style before finally arriving in la Doutre, a village in the very heart of Angers.

Included excursion by coach to visit the Castles of the Loire Valley. We head first for the castle at Azay-le-Rideau. Built on an island and listed as a historic monument by UNESCO, the castle at Azay-le-Rideau has preserved, with the passing years, all the refinement, elegance and grace of an exceptional Renaissance chateau.

Continue on to Villandry, where there’s time to enjoy a stroll through the famous gardens of the castle at Villandry: laid out on three levels in a marriage of beauty, diversity and harmony.

Continue on to Rigny-Ussé to visit Ussé Castle. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, this quite magnificent castle looks just like a fairy tale castle with its fortified towers, turrets and steeples. Moreover, it is believed that the castle inspired Charles Perrault to write 'The Sleeping Beauty'.

We return on board at Ancenis. Gala dinner on board followed by an evening of music and dancing. The ship sets sail during the evening for Nantes and continues through the night.

We disembark in Nantes and head by coach to the Paris area, where we stay overnight.

Return home.