Nymphea Hotel Barge | Endless Beginnings

Endless BeginningsITALY & FRANCE PERSONALIZED JOURNEYS

Nymphea

Classic Cruise – Loire Valley

Hotel Barge Nymphea

Nymphea’s Dutch design with its shallow draft makes her the ideal vessel for navigating the beautiful sandy reaches of the River Cher in the Loire Valley. Very few other vessels are able to cruise this magical waterway.

Her traditional interior, reminiscent of a classic yacht, features a warm decor of rich varnished hardwoods, stained glass and shining brass. The traditionally furnished saloon and dining area have a warm and welcoming country house atmosphere and there is an additional upper saloon area with more comfortable seating to relax in. Nymphea has three compact, but comfortable cabins, two twin staterooms and one twin or double stateroom, all with air conditioning and en-suite facilities.

Outside, the sun deck with its comfortable seating offers the perfect vantage point from which to admire the next picturesque waterside village, elegant chateau, or stunning stretch of scenery as it slowly comes into view. You will even get to cruise through the arches of probably the most-photographed château in the Loire Valley, Château de Chenonceau – not once, but twice – a rare privilege afforded to very few boats! And if you wish to explore the River Cher’s towpath and surrounding countryside, there are 6 bicycles available for your use.

Nymphea’s crew of Captain/Tour Leader and Master Chef are most knowledgeable about the history, wine and cuisine of the region and they will be there to help make your journey through the ‘Valley of the Kings of France’ truly unforgettable.

Nymphea Deck Plan

Nymphea Deck Plan

Click image to enlarge

Cruise Highlights

Cruise under the famed Château de Chenonceau
Visit a Troglodyte cave dwelling and see the silkworm nursery
Excursion to the Château d’Amboise and Château du Clos Lucé
Private wine tastings at Montrichard and the Domaine de Fontenay
Visit to Château de Villandry and its magnificent gardens
Colorful street markets.
Optional hot air ballooning

Cruise Route

Itinerary* & Cruise Route

Sunday, Day 1: Moulin de Nitray

Guests are met near Tours** and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to hotel barge Nymphea where the crew and a Champagne Welcome await you at our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray. Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2: Moulin de Nitray to Larcay

A morning cruise through two locks takes us to the quaint town of Larcay where we moor under the weeping willows for lunch. In the afternoon, we enjoy an excursion to Château de Villandry, the last of the great Renaissance châteaux to be built on the banks of the Loire. The château is world-renowned for its amazing array of ornamental, water, vegetable and herb gardens. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3: Larcay to Vallet

After a morning cruise past no less than six private châteaux, we tie up opposite the hamlet of Vallet, a cluster of classic Tourangeau architecture grouped around its 18th century mill. From there we drive to Amboise on the banks of the Loire, where we visit the Royal Château d’Amboise, a royal residence of the Kings of France for 200 years. We also visit Château du Clos Lucé nearby, Leonardo Da Vinci’s home for the last 3 years of his life. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4: Vallet to Chissay-en-Touraine

Whilst cruising in the morning we may pull in to the tiny landing stage next to Domaine de Fontenay. A two-minute walk brings us to the courtyard where we can taste their range of Touraine wines as an aperitif before lunch. In the afternoon we cruise under the 5-arch bridge of the impressive Château de Chenonceau and moor at Chisseaux. From there we take a short drive in the air-conditioned minibus to visit Chenonceau, often called ‘the ladies château’, after those such as Henry II’s mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who added the bridge over the River Cher and the beautiful gardens. Upon our return we cruise upstream to Chissay-en-Touraine and have dinner tonight in one of the local restaurants specializing in Loire regional cooking.

Thursday, Day 5: Vallet to Chissay-en-Touraine

A morning cruise takes us towards the troglodyte village of Bourré and we moor near one of the more unusual dwellings, La Magnaneraie. The Coquillat family have grown up in this hillside troglodyte habitation, which has been in turn a wine cellar, a quarry for the tuffeau stone, and lastly, a silkworm nursery. After lunch we drive to Valencay, one of the most splendid châteaux of the Loire. We then cruise to Montrichard where we moor for the night. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6: Montrichard to Moulin de Nitray

Following breakfast, a short stroll takes us to the heart of Montrichard and into one of the largest street markets in Touraine. We also explore the 11th century château overlooking the medieval town square. Before lunch we can visit the local vineyard of the Meriau family, to taste the regional Touraine vintages. In the afternoon, we enjoy another passage under Chenonceau and arrive at the hamlet of Nitray in time to visit the château and rose garden. Enjoy an aperitif from their vineyards before the Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7: Moulin de Nitray

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the drop-off point near Tours**

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.

**other locations available for private charter bookings