Itinerary
for Nymphea
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.
