Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll meet your guide at 5pm at the hotel in Paris for a welcome meeting. Have dinner either at the hotel or check out a nearby restaurant, then get settled into your 3* or 4* room for the night.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Paris to Nantes
Start with breakfast at the hotel, then board the coach at 6:30am heading to Château de Chambord, King Francis I's hunting lodge with its Renaissance and medieval architecture. After touring the castle and grounds, you'll move on to Château de Chenonceau for an afternoon visit, known for its Gothic-Renaissance style and how it spans the Cher River. You'll stop for lunch during the journey, then travel to Nantes in the evening. Board the cruise ship, settle into your cabin, meet the crew at a welcome cocktail, and sail towards Saint-Nazaire.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Welcome cocktail)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Château de Chambord
- Guided tour of Château de Chenonceau
Landmarks/POIs Château de Chambord Château de Chenonceau - Day 3
Saint-Nazaire
You'll explore Saint-Nazaire, a seaside town with excursion choices available. The classic option takes you to Escal'Atlantic to learn about historic French ocean liners, then tours the modern Saint-Nazaire shipyard where contemporary cruise ships are built. Later in the evening, take a boat tour on the Erdre, one of France's most beautiful rivers.
Optional Activities
- CLASSIC excursion: Escal'Atlantic museum and Saint-Nazaire shipyard tour
- DISCOVERY excursion: Boat tour on the Erdre river
Landmarks/POIs Escal'Atlantic Saint-Nazaire Shipyard Erdre River - Day 4
Nantes
Pick a morning excursion: either a guided tour of Nantes and the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, or a discovery tour featuring the Machines de l'Île, secret courtyards, and covered passageways. In the afternoon, you can choose between the classic Muscadet Wine Route tour visiting the medieval village of Clisson with a wine tasting at Château Cassemichère, or take a helicopter tour over the Loire Valley.
Optional Activities
- CLASSIC morning excursion: Guided tour of Nantes and Castle of the Dukes of Brittany
- DISCOVERY morning excursion: Nantes, the Machines de l'Île, secret courtyards and covered passageways
- CLASSIC afternoon excursion: Muscadet Wine Route, medieval village of Clisson, and wine tasting at Château Cassemichère
- DISCOVERY afternoon excursion: Helicopter tour over the Loire Valley
Landmarks/POIs Castle of the Dukes of Brittany Machines de l'Île Clisson Château Cassemichère - Day 5
Angers
The cruise takes you to Bouchemaine where you'll explore Angers, the capital of the Anjou region. Choose between the classic tour visiting historic Angers, seeing the legendary Apocalypse Tapestry at Château d'Angers, and touring the cathedral area, or the discovery option visiting Château de Brissac with its seven-story structure, 204 rooms, and spectacular Belle Époque theater, plus a wine tasting. Finish with evening entertainment onboard.
- Meals
- Dinner (Gala evening)
Optional Activities
- CLASSIC excursion: Château d'Angers with Apocalypse Tapestry, historical sections of Angers, and cathedral area
- DISCOVERY excursion: Château de Brissac tour and wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Château d'Angers Apocalypse Tapestry Château de Brissac - Day 6
Azay-le-Rideau and Villandry
Depart by coach to Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, built during King Francis I's reign on an island in the Indre River and blending Italian and French Renaissance styles. Head to Villandry for lunch, then spend the afternoon walking through its magnificent three-level gardens and touring Château de Villandry. You'll see how this estate transformed from a medieval fortress to a Renaissance residence. Return to Ancenis for a festive gala evening as the ship sails to Nantes overnight.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Festive gala evening)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Château d'Azay-le-Rideau
- Stroll through gardens of Château de Villandry
- Guided tour of Château de Villandry
Landmarks/POIs Château d'Azay-le-Rideau Château de Villandry - Day 7
Nantes to Paris
Have a final buffet breakfast before disembarking at 10:00am. Then board the coach from Nantes back to Paris, wrapping up your tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Buffet breakfast)
