Overview
Hotel Barge Nymphea 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.
Classic Cruise Route
Itinerary
Deck Hotel Barge Nymphea
First Class | 6 Passengers | 2/3 Crew
- 81 Feet Long
- 2 Twin Cabin (65-91 sq ft incl. en suite)
- 1 Twin/Double Stateroom (91 sq ft incl. en suite)
- Air-conditioned / Centrally Heated
Day 1 Tours 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 your mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Nymphea in a Stateroom.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 2 Moulin de Nitray Vallet
After breakfast, stroll up to Nitray to visit the château and rose garden. Taste their range of Touraine wine before returning to the barge and cruising up to the hamlet of Vallet. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to Château de Villandry 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.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Nymphea in a Stateroom.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 3 Vallet Civray-de-Touraine
After a short morning cruise, enjoy a pre-lunch aperitif at Bruno Curassier’s Domaine de la Grange before continuing our cruise to Civray de Touraine. After lunch on board, tour the Château d’Amboise, a royal residence of the Kings of France for 200 years. You will also visit Château du Clos Lucé nearby, Leonardo Da Vinci’s home for the last three years of his life. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Nymphea in a Stateroom.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 4 Civray-de-Touraine Chissay-en-Touraine
This morning, cruise under the five-arch bridge of the impressive Château de Chenonceau before mooring at nearby. From here, 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. Evening cruise to Chissay-en-Touraine and dinner ashore at a local restaurant, La Boulaye.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Nymphea in a Stateroom.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 5 Chissy-en-Touraine Montrichard
A morning cruise will take you towards the troglodyte village of Bourré and you 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, drive to Valençay, one of the most splendid châteaux of the Loire. You will then cruise to Montrichard where we moor for the night. Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Nymphea in a Stateroom.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 6 Montrichard Moulin de Nitray
Following breakfast, explore the street market of Montrichard and the 11th century château overlooking the medieval town square, as well as the local vineyard of the Meriau family, to taste the regional Touraine vintages. In the afternoon, cruise back downstream to Nitray before the Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
Overnight stay onboard Hotel Barge Nymphea in a Stateroom.
Selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages included.
Day 7 Moulin de Nitray Tours
After breakfast, you are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the drop-off point near Tours.
