Nymphea
Cruising the Loire Valley

Passengers: 6	English Speaking Crew of: 3
Size: 80 feet long	Bicycles: 6
Rating: First Class	Air Conditioned: Yes

Cruise Rate Includes: 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath, transfers to and from the at the rail station in St. Pierre des Corps, all meals, from dinner the first night to breakfast the last morning, all wines with lunch & dinner, open bar, daily escorted excursions and use of onboard bicycles.

Cruise Rate Does NOT Include: Airfare to and from France, transportation to the cruise route (we will assist you with this), cancellation insurance and crew gratuity (suggested minimum amount is 5% of the cruise price)



Barging history was made in 1997 when the Nymphea was transferred overland from Burgundy to the River Cher - which winds all through the Loire Valley and thus opened a new and desirable route for barging. Nymphea is perfect for families or small parties who want extremely interesting sightseeing. The Loire Valley (France's Valley of Kings) is well known for its divinely oppulent and historic chateaux. Nymphea focuses on this aspect. Guests will visit the chateaux of Chenonceau, Amboise, Villandry, Valency and Foulques Nerra - not to mention winetasting, gardens, markets and the home of Leonardo da Vinci!

Nymphea is traditional in style and cozy in feeling. Decor features rich wood paneling, stained glass and nautical memorabilia. A crew of three takes good care of the guests and the chef offers top regional cuisine.

Nymphea

Loire Valley Barge Cruise Itinerary

Nitray to Nitray

In the Loire Valley

Sunday: St. Peirre des Corps Train Station to Moulin de Nitray

Moor opposite a 17th century Mill

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 at our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray, pictured below. Dinner aboard.
Monday: Moulin de Nitray to Larcay

Elegant Renaissance Gardens at Chateau de Villandry

A morning cruise through two locks takes us to the quaint town of Larcay where we moor under the weeping willows for lunch.

Afternoon excursion to Chateau de Villandry, with its world-renowned renaissance gardens. Dinner aboard.



Tuesday: Larcay to Vallet

Tour Leonardo da Vinci's Home

After a morning cruise past no less than six private chateaux, we tie up opposite the hamlet of Vallet, a cluster of classic Tourangeau architecture grouped around its 18th century mill. From there we leave for our excursion by minibus to Amboise on the banks of the Loire, where we visit the Royal Chateau D'Amboise and the Clos Luce, Leonardo Da Vinci's home, pictured at right. Dinner aboard.


Wednesday: Vallet to Chisseaux

Cruise right under the Chateau de Chenonceau!

While 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 their courtyard where we can taste their range of Touraine wines as an aperitif before lunch moored at Blere. In the afternoon 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. We take dinner tonight in one of the local restaurants specializing in regional cooking.

Thursday: Chisseaux to Montrichard

Unusual Troglodyte Dwellings

A morning cruise takes us towards the troglodyte village of Bourre. After lunch we drive east to Valencay, one of the most splendid chateaux of the Loire and the home of Napoleon's foreign minister, Talleyrand. One back on board we cruise to the next lock, a short walk from which is 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. Dinner aboard.

Friday: Montrichard to Nitray

Join the locals at a street market, then taste local vintages

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, pictured at left, overlooking the medieval town square. Before lunch we can visit the local vineyard of the Meriau family, to taste the vintages of Touraine. 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-Captain's dinner aperitif from their vineyards. Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard.

Saturday: Nitray to St. Pierre des Corps Train Station

A Sad Farewell

After breakfast disembark and transfer by minibus to St Pierre des Corps Station in time for the 09.30 TGV to Paris.
(Train transfers to and from the route are not included in the cruise fare.  We would be happy to book and ticket these trains 60 days before departure.)

Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barging on the canals and waterways of France Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

 

Nymphea

Guest Book

"Many thanks for a wonderful week in the Loire.  Fun and interesting.  We're full of fine food, wine and memories."
-2009 Guests

"This trip exceeded by far any expectations I had of barging - and vacationing in general!  Relaxing, refreshing, fabulous food, great company, great guided tours, incredible scenery (especially from the balloon!).  We will do it again and again!!"
-2008 Guests

"We took our first barge cruise through the Loire Valley with Captain Lee and Chef Cecilia, and it was the most fabulous vacation we have ever taken!!!  We loved the pace, food and the fact that our tour was basically private.   I had always wanted to see the chateau country but couldn't figure out how to go about it.  This was absolutely perfect!  I even got up into a hot air balloon on my birthday. Everything was great!  We're coming back for more.  I can't express how much we loved it, words just aren't enough!  I am singing your praises and showing my pictures to anyone who happens by. I gave my brochure to some friends so I need another one for planning purposes.  Thanks for the wonderful memories.  It was ten times better than my wildest dreams."
- 2008 Guests

"Many thanks for a wonderful week for our entire family.  What a treat to have the entire boat to ourselves.  It was a relaxing and carefree week with the best weather we've seen in France so far!  Many thanks for the insights into French culture and tips for our year in Paris.  Cecile was a wonderful Chef and our girls really appreciated her culinary flexibility.  Thanks most of all to our Captain - whose humor and knowledge of the world made for an entertaining and instructive week."
-2007 Guests

Nymphea Floor Plan

80 Feet Long
Two cabins reachable from the salon
-72 sq feet and 84 sq feet
-Two twin beds in each
Bow cabin reachable from the deck- 107 sq feet
-One queen bed or two twins
In the Public Areas
-Upper salon with large viewing windows
-Lower salon in which to dine
Most amazing: Nymphea cruises right under the chateau at Chenonceau!
6 Bicycles
6 touring bicycles