We'll leave by coach for the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau. Built on a small island in the middle of the Indre River, the château as it is seen today was built under Francis I by Gilles Berthelot, a wealthy financier who wanted to incorporate its medieval past alongside the latest architectural styles of the Italian renaissance. The chateau is a French national monument and possesses all the refinement found in the French Renaissance. We'll continue to Villandry for lunch. After lunch, enjoy a walk through the lovely gardens surrounding the Château de Villandry. Spread out over an impressive area, the gardens bring together aestheticism, diversity and harmony. Afterward, we'll continue our tour and visit the Château d'Ussé. Rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries, this stronghold with fortified towers, turrets and steeples looks like something out of a fairytale. 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”.
PLEASE NOTE
- The order of the visits can change.
- Times are approximate.
We'll leave by coach for the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau. Built on a small island in the middle of the Indre River, the château as it is seen today was built under Francis I by Gilles Berthelot, a wealthy financier who wanted to incorporate its medieval past alongside the latest architectural styles of the Italian renaissance. The chateau is a French national monument and possesses all the refinement found in the French Renaissance. We'll continue to Villandry for lunch. After lunch, enjoy a walk through the lovely gardens surrounding the Château de Villandry. Spread out over an impressive area, the gardens bring together aestheticism, diversity and harmony. Afterward, we'll continue our tour and visit the Château d'Ussé. Rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries, this stronghold with fortified towers, turrets and steeples looks like something out of a fairytale. 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”.
PLEASE NOTE
- The order of the visits can change.
- Times are approximate.
Cruises
This shore excursion is available for one or several cruises
Beautiful Brittany and Royal Opulence in the Loire (port-to-port cruise)
Nantes - Vannes - Quiberon - Carnac - Auray - Vannes - NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE - NANTES - ANCENIS - CHALONNES-SUR-LOIRE - The Châteaux of the Loire Valley - ANCENIS - NANTES
Begin your vacation with an exclusive three-day trip through Brittany, a proud French region with a more-than-thousand-year-old heritage that has spread its influence across the area. From the prehistoric megaliths in Carnac to the wave-beaten coasts of the Quiberon Peninsula, set off on a journey through a stunning region shaped by humans and nature alike. Top off your Breton experience with breakfast in a local crêperie and a visit to Auray, a charming village on the Gulf of Morbihan. Then climb aboard for a cruise on the Loire, the royal river with legendary scenery.
From the Châteaux of Chambord and Chenonceau to the Loire Valley
Paris - Châteaux of the Loire Valley - NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE - NANTES - CHALONNES-SUR-LOIRE - ANCENIS - NANTES
A taste of Paris linked with the history of France: discover the castles of the Loire between Chambord and Chenonceau before boarding the river boat for a cruise on the Royal Loire river whose beautiful landscapes are legendary. Visit Nantes and The Machines of the Isle of Nantes, a gallery that recreates the imaginary world of the famous writer Jules Verne. Discover Saint-Nazaire and admire its shipyard and the Escal'Atlantic which immerses you in the world of steamships from the beginnings of their gigantic construction to life on board. Soak up the magical castles of the Loire such as Brissac, the highest castle in France whose monumental facades rise up from its large landscaped park.
The Loire Valley, a Royal legacy (port-to-port cruise)
NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE - NANTES - ANCENIS - CHALONNES-SUR-LOIRE - The Châteaux of the Loire Valley - ANCENIS - NANTES
Embark on a cruise on the Royal Loire River whose beauty is legendary. Visit Nantes and The Machines of the Isle of Nantes, a gallery that recreates the imaginary world of the famous writer Jules Verne. Discover Saint-Nazaire and admire its shipyard and the Escal'Atlantic which immerses you in the world of steamships from the beginnings of their gigantic construction to life on board. Soak up the magical castles of the Loire such as Brissac, the highest castle in France whose monumental facades rise up from its large landscaped park.
Getaway on the Loire: An unforgettable cruise in celebration of our 10th anniversary on this enchanting river (port-to-port cruise)
NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE - NANTES - ANCENIS - The Châteaux of the Loire Valley - CHALONNES-SUR-LOIRE - ANCENIS – NANTES
Join other loyalty club members for a festive, jubilant time. Climb aboard an exclusive cruise on the Loire, the French royal river with legendary scenery. We have carefully prepared everything just for you, including a tour of the fascinating city of Nantes and the emblematic Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, a testimony to the region’s former power. Discover the shipyards in Saint-Nazaire and the gigantic ocean-liner experience Escal'Atlantic that traces the history of Norman and French ocean liners. Step back in time to the elegant French Renaissance at the châteaux in the Loire Valley.
This immersive experience brings you to the beguiling treasures hidden within the gorgeous Loire Region.