The Loire Valley, a Royal legacy (port-to-port cruise) (8 destinations)

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Description

Summary

Starts
Nantes
Duration
6 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy
Minimum age
1 years

Description

Embark on a captivating six-day journey, exploring the enchanting landscapes and rich history of France. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of cultural immersion, historical exploration, and scenic beauty. From the bustling city of Nantes to the charming town of Saint-Nazaire, from the majestic Castles of the Loire Valley to the intriguing Machines de l'Île, every day is a new adventure. Enjoy the comfort of our ship, the camaraderie of like-minded travelers, and the expertise of our knowledgeable guides. Savor local cuisine, taste exquisite wines, and soak in the breathtaking views. Whether you're a history buff, a wine connoisseur, or a nature lover, this tour has something for everyone.

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Included

Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day

Onboard drinks included (except for drinks from our special lists)

Welcome cocktail

Gala dinner

All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar

Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail

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MS Loire Princesse

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Double-occupancy cabin with shower in bathroom

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Official welcome from the captain and crew

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Shore excursions can be sold as part of the cruises package. Please contact us for more details.

These excursions are not proposed for all the cruises and depend on the itinerary.

If the minimum of 25 participants is not reached, the excursion may be either cancelled or proposed at another rate, depending on the number of participants (to be paid for on board).

The excursions on the first evening and the morning following boarding are only guaranteed for the passengers who have booked the excursion before the cruise.

Guided tour of Angers

Departure for the excursion of the city of Angers . City of art and history, the capital of Anjou is distinguished as much by the richness of its heritage as by its inscription in modernity. Foyer Plantagenet flourishing city of the Renaissance, Angers houses the colossal walls of the famous medieval fortress of King René and the extraordinary wall hanging of the Apocalypse. Visit the fortress of the thirteenth century and discover the tapestry of the Apocalypse . It is the most important set of medieval tapestries in the world. You cross then the city of the canons, vestiges of the Romanesque art and the Gothic style Plantagenêt.

Duration: 4 hours

The order of visits can be modified.

Day excursion to the castles of the Loire

Departure by coach to the castle of Azay-le-Rideau . Built on an island in the middle of the Indre, the building, as it stands today, was built under the reign of Francis I by a wealthy financier, Gilles Berthelot, who wanted to reconcile innovations from Italy and French construction art. Classified as a historic monument, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau expresses all the refinement of a castle from the first French Renaissance. Continue to Villandry for lunch. After lunch, enjoy a walk in the gardens of the castle Villandry: spread over three levels, they combine aesthetics, diversity and harmony. Continuation to Rigny-Ussé for the visit of the castle of Ussé.Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, this magnificent castle, with its fortified towers, turrets and turrets, looks like a fairytale castle. Today, the castle is still inhabited, it offers the visitor a trip back in time in the heart of tales and legends. He also inspired Charles Perrault "Sleeping Beauty".

Duration: 11 hours

INCLUDED in the NHN_PP and NSN_PP programs

The order of visits can be modified.

Cruise-walk on the Erdre

Bus transfer to the pier of Nantes boats . Around 20:00, departure for a cruise on the Erdre , "the most beautiful river in France" according to Francis I. Discover along the water the history of this river and its many castles.

Duration: 2:45 hours

The order of visits can be modified.

Nantes: the machines of the island, secret courts and passages covered

From the quay in Nantes, discover the magical world of machines on the island. These monumental structures, real urban sculptures are at the very place where were built large ships, at the crossroads of Jules Verne's "invented worlds", the mechanical world of Leonardo da Vinci and the industrial history of Nantes . After this fantastic trip, discover the city of Nantes through its secret courtyards and covered passages. These places reflect the history of the great families of Nantes from the fifteenth century to date.

Duration:  4 hours TO BE EQUIPPED IN CONDITION

The order of the visits can be modified.

Schedules are given as an indication.

Guided tour of the shipyard of Saint-Nazaire

We will begin the visit with the Escal'Atlantic , which ingeniously traces the history of Normandy and France steamers through reality and imagination. A life-size representation to the memory of these two sacred monsters. Then, road to the shipyard of Saint Nazaire, one of the largest shipyards in Europe. It perpetuates a world-renowned know-how. Formerly with the construction of transatlantic (France, Normandy) and today with giant cruise ships. Thanks to a specially designed course, you will discover the vastness of the industrial site (108 ha). The astonishing logistics and the high technology implemented to realize these giants of the seas will allow you to understand the stages of construction of these real floating palaces of the modern times

Duration: 4:30 hours

The order of visits can be modified.

CLASSIC EXCURSIONS PACKAGE

Cruise-walk on the Erdre

Nantes

Saint-Nazaire and its shipyard

Muscadet road

Angers

The castles of the Loire

DYNAMIC EXCURSIONS PACKAGE

Cruise-walk on the Erdre

Nantes: the machines of the island, secret courts and passages covered

Guided tour of the shipyard of Saint-Nazaire

Helicopter flight: the Loire seen from the sky

Castle Brissac

Day excursion to the castles of the Loire

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Double-occupancy cabin with shower in bathroom

Assistance from our onboard multi-lingual host/hostess

Onboard entertainment

Travel assistance and repatriation insurance

All port fees.

Free Wi-Fi onboard

Headsets are included for excursions

Onboard activities

All port fees included

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Destinations

Photo of aerial view of the famous Saint Nazaire bridge over la Loire river in Loire Atlantique, France.Saint-Nazaire
Photo of the Erdre River in Nantes, France.Nantes

Map

Attractions

Escal'Atlantic
Balzac Park
Carrousel of the Marine Worlds
photo of people enjoying the experience with Machines of the Isle of Nantes in Nantes, France.Machines of the Isle of Nantes
Collégiale Saint-Martin, Centre Ville - La Fayette - Eblé, Angers, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire, Metropolitan France, FranceCollégiale Saint-Martin
Castle of the Dukes of Brittany in Nantes - France, Pays de la LoireChâteau des ducs de Bretagne
Château d'Angers, Centre Ville - La Fayette - Eblé, Angers, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire, Metropolitan France, FranceChâteau d'Angers
Sous-marin Espadon
Basilica of Our Lady of the Trinity, Blois, Loir-et-Cher, Centre-Loire Valley, Metropolitan France, FranceBasilica of Our Lady of the Trinity
Église Notre DameÉglise Notre Dame

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Boarding and Sailing to Saint-Nazaire

  • Saint-Nazaire - Arrival day
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Begin your journey by boarding our ship at 6:00 p.m. After settling into your cabins, join us for a welcome cocktail as we introduce our crew. Enjoy a delightful dinner before we set sail for the coastal town of Saint-Nazaire.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Saint-Nazaire

  • Saint-Nazaire
  • More
  • Escal'Atlantic
  • Sous-marin Espadon
  • Église Notre Dame
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Start your day with an optional tour of Saint-Nazaire, a town by the sea. Visit Escal'Atlantic, a museum that delves into the history of ocean liners, and the Saint-Nazaire shipyard, one of Europe's largest. In the evening, embark on a local boat for a scenic cruise on the Erdre River, one of France's most beautiful rivers.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Discovering Nantes and its Surroundings

  • Nantes
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  • Carrousel of the Marine Worlds
  • Machines of the Isle of Nantes
  • Château des ducs de Bretagne
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Join us for a guided tour of Nantes, exploring the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and the intriguing Machines de l'Île. In the afternoon, choose between a journey along the Muscadet Wine Route and a visit to Clisson, a charming medieval town, or an exhilarating helicopter ride to admire the Loire from above.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Journey to Chalonnes-sur-Loire

Day 4: Journey to Chalonnes-sur-Loire

  • Balzac Park
  • Collégiale Saint-Martin
  • Château d'Angers
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Cruise towards Chalonnes-sur-Loire. Join us for an optional tour of Angers, exploring its historic districts and the famous Apocalypse tapestry. Alternatively, visit the majestic Brissac castle and its cellars for a wine-tasting session. In the evening, enjoy onboard entertainment.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Castles of the Loire Valley and Return to Nantes

  • Nantes
  • More
  • Basilica of Our Lady of the Trinity
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Embark on a full-day excursion to discover the iconic Castles of the Loire Valley. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the past as you explore these historical gems. Return on board in Ancenis and enjoy our gala dinner and evening entertainment as we sail back to Nantes.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Farewell

  • Nantes - Departure day
  • More

After one last buffet breakfast on board, it's time to say goodbye. Disembark at 10:00 a.m., taking with you the unforgettable memories of a journey through the heart of France.

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