NYMPHEA GOLFING ITINERARY: THE LOIRE VALLEY
Sunday: 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 at our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray. Dinner aboard.
Monday: MOULIN DE NITRAY TO LARCAY
A morning cruise through two locks takes us to the quaint town of Larcay where we moor
under the weeping willows for lunch. Afternoon spent at Golf de Touraineat the Chateau de la Touche, Ballan Miré. Return to Nymphea for dinner on board (18 holes Par 71 - length 5673 m)
Tuesday: LARCAY TO VALLET
After a morning cruise past no less that six private chateaux, we tie up opposite the hamlet of Vallet, a cluster of classic Tourangeau architecture grouped around its 18th century mill. From there we leave forTours Ardrée Golf Club.Laid out in 350 acres of park and woodland, the fairways thread their way through the trees and water hazards, leading to large but well protected greens. We take dinner tonight in one of the local restaurants specializing in regional cooking. (18 holes, par 72, 5734 metres)
Wednesday: VALLET TO CHISSEAUX
While cruising in the morning we may pull in to the tiny landing stage next to Domaine de Fontenay. A two minute walk brings us to their courtyard where we can taste their range of Touraine wines as an aperitif before lunch moored at Civray. In the afternoon we play the golf on the estate of the Chateau de Cheverny. Winding round the Rousseliere Lake, home to mallard ducks, swans and grey herons. Before returning to the barge we can visit the Chateau if time permits. An evening cruise takes us under the famed Chateau de Chenonceau to the village of Chisseaux. Dinner on board. (18 holes par 71, 6272 metres)
Thursday: CHISSEAUX TO MONTRICHARD
A morning cruise takes us to Montrichard. After lunch we drive to Chateau des Bordes, which was originally conceived by industrialist Baron Marcel Bich (Bic pens fame) and businessman Mr Yoshiaki Sakurai. The two friends decided to create a world class golf course with an international dimension for their own and their guests' pleasure. Robert von Hagge, Texan architect of more than 200 courses, was employed to bring American expertise to the project. With no expense spared and free from development constraints, von Hagge created a masterpiece of extraordinary beauty exploiting the abundance of the Sologne's lakes to present water hazards at 12 of its 18 holes as it winds its way through the forest.The golf here is in the same league as Valderama, . In fact, along with the former Ryder Cup venue, Les Bordes is one of only two courses in Continental Europe to enjoy the highest rating in the Peugot Golf Guide to 1000 European courses. Dinner aboard. (18 holes, par 72, 7062 yards)
Friday: MONTRICHARD TO NITRAY
There is much to explore at the 12th Century Chateau of Foulques Nerra overlooking the mediaeval town square. Before lunch, we visit one of the more unusual dwellings in the Loire Valley, La Magnaneraie. The Coquillat family has grown up in this hillside troglodyte habitation, which has been in turn wine cellar, quarry for the tuffeau stone, and lastly a silkworm nursery.
After lunch, Nymphea sets off downstream again, for another passage under Chenonceau with a chance to visit the castle, and arrives at the hamlet of Nitray. Enjoy a pre-Captain’s dinner aperitif grown in Nitray and Captain’s Farewell Dinner aboard.
Saturday: NITRAY TO TOURS
After breakfast disembark, and return to St Pierre des Corps Station arriving there at 9.30am.
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