Day

Itinerary

1

Nantes

You will picked up from the Nantes airport and transfered to the cruise ship . After comfortably settling into your cabins, you will be introduced to our crew and enjoy a welcome cocktail before dinner. Our ship will start cruising towards Saint-Nazaire during the night. (D)

2

Saint Nazaire – Nantes

Join us for an optional Tour of Saint-Nazaire, a town on the sea. We'll visit Escal’Atlantic, a museum that explores the historic ocean liner experience, and the Saint-Nazaire shipyard, one of the largest shipyards in Europe. (Each passenger will be asked to produce a valid passport in order to gain access to the shipyard.)

We'll return on board in Saint-Nazaire and spend the afternoon cruising towards Nantes.

In the evening we will board a local boat for a cruise on the Edre River, one of the most beautiful in France. As the scenery rolls by, discover the history of the river and its numerous chateaux as you pass by.  (B/L/D)

3

Nantes – Ancenis

Today we will enjoy a guided tour of Nantes and discover the small streets of the medieval Bouffay quarter and the beautiful Flamboyant- style Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul. We will visit the ile Feydeau and its exeptional buildings dating back to the 18th century, and then on to the quays. After, you'll discover the shopping districts created in the 18th century. We will continue our tour to the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. The last castle before the river reaches the ocean, this Breton monument with its outstanding 15th to 17th centuries buildings will transport you back in time.

Back on board enjoy onboard entertainment as we cruise towards Ancenis this afternoon. (B/L/D)

4

Ancenis – Bouchemaine

This morning we will tour the Muscadet Wine Route and pass through several villages that are testimony to the strong wine growing identity in the region. We will stop at the Cassemichere Chateau (or similar) to discover its history filled vineyards, visit its cellars and taste the dry, light, fruity and aromatic wine. We also visit Clisson, a charming medieval town with 15th century vestigages and a slight Italian feel.

We return to the boat and our cruise then continues to Bouchemaine. Enjoy an evening of entertainment while you relax on board.  (B/L/D)

5

Bouchemaine – Angers

Today we will take a guided tour of Angers and its historic districts and cathedral. We go inside the famous Chateau d'Angers to discover the famous Apocalypse Tapestry, part of one of the most important collections of medieval tapestries in the world

In the afternoon we set out for a guided tour of Saumur and the Cadre Noir, Our visit will start with the discovery of the history of the Cadre Noir and the horse riding school (no training during weekends). We’ll get to discover the history of a unique school in France, founded in 1815, where the teachers are no other than the famous squires of the Cadre Noir. We’ll visit the Grand Manège, the stables and the tack room and understand how this particular school emphasizes harmonious relations between humans and horses, guided by non-violence and lack of constraint. We’ll continue our visit with a walk through the fortified city of Saumur, dominated by its castle.  (B/L/D)

6

Bouchemaine – The Chateau of the Loire Valley

Join us on a full day excursion to discover the Castles of the Loire Valley. We will leave by coach for the Azay-le Rideau Chatau.  Built on a small island in the middle of the Indre River, the Chateau as it is seen today was built under Francis 1 by Gilles Berthelot, a wealthy financier who wanted to incorporate its medieval past along side the latest architectual styles of the Italian renaissance. This chateau is a French national monument and possesses all the refinement found in the French Renaissance. We will continue to Villandry for lunch.

After lunch, enjoy a walk through the lovely gardens surrounding the chateau. Spread out over an impressive area, the gardens bring together aestheticism, diversity and harmony. Afterwards we will continue our tour and visit the Usse Chateau. Rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries, this stronghold with fortified towers, turrets and steeples looks like something out of a fairy tale. The castle is still inhabited today and takes visitors back to a time of legends and fairytales. It is thought to have inspired Charles Perrault when writing "Sleeping Beauty".   We will return back on board and you will be able to enjoy an evening of entertainment.   (B/L/D)

7

Bouchemaine – Ancenis – Nantes

Today we take an excursion along the Angevine Corniche with its picturesque villages and many viewing points along the Loire river. This route passes several of the overlooks on the great river in the Loire Valley, its self listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will stop at the Chateau des Vaults (or Similar site) an authentic site in the middle of a beautiful park.

We will have the opportunity to enjoy a tasting of the local wines and then continue along the Corniche Angevine, admiring the picturesque villages and several viewpoints along the Loire.

The afternoon will be spent cruising the Loire towards Nantes. Tonights is the Gala festive dinner and evening.  (B/L/D)

8

Nantes

After breakfast you will be transferred from the cruise ship to the Nantes airport. (B)