Nymphea itinerary, River Cher, Loire valley, France

luxury barge cruise vacations aboard Nymphea on the river Cher

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 - CHISSAY 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 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.

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