Loire Valley Cruises

Hotel Barge Cruises in the Loire Valley

• Discover the ultimate luxury when you travel on the Renaissance, an 8-passenger hotel barge that will take you from Upper Loire to Western Burgundy
• Take a first-class trip on Nymphea, cruising the Loire Valley between Moulin de Nitray and Montrichard with 6 passengers
• Explore Upper Loire and Burgundy between June and July with the La Nouvelle Etoile, an ultra-deluxe 8-passenger hotel barge

You can take a trip along the River Cher through the Loire Valley from April to October, depending on the hotel barge you choose. Renaissance offers the ultimate luxury as our flagship and offers you private tours, wine tastings, and walking and biking opportunities for all of our guests. This spacious hotel barge invokes the atmosphere of a classic French manor house with comfortable leather sofas and a hand-built bar.

The Dutch design of the Nymphea makes it ideal for navigating the shallow waters and beautiful sandy reaches of the River Cher in the Loire Valley. The traditional interior with rich varnished hardwoods, stained glass and shining brass, is the ideal welcome. This doesn’t mean you miss out on comfort, as you’ll find compact and comfortable cabins to sleep in. With excursions to different châteaus and tours of stunning locations in the area, you’ll get the best of the Loire Valley on an exclusive river cruise.

La Nouvelle Etoile provides the high level of comfort you deserve on your journey. With an air-conditioned saloon and cocktail bar, you can relax and unwind in the evening before relaxing in your generous 200sq cabin suite. Your trip here will include visiting charming villages, enjoying delicious food, and seeing if you can spot some of the birds of prey in the area.

Wine & Dine in the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is known for more than its beautiful scenery and rich history. It is also the ideal place to visit if you want to sample the local culinary delights. You may get the chance to visit Château de La Bussière, also known as the ‘Fishermen’s Castle’, with its incredible vegetable gardens. You may enjoy a trip to the Château de Villandry instead, which is renowned for its ornamental, water, vegetable and herb gardens.

Take a sip of some delicious wine with various winery tours. Private tours of the vineyards give you the opportunity to learn more about the wine-making process before you sample some of the results. You may take a trip to Chablis to visit one of the small family-operated wineries or spend time at the Sancerre winery of La Perriere.

For those with a sweet tooth, the Renaissance river cruise is perfect for you. Your journey will take you to Mazet, the confectioners renowned for creating the original praline recipe over one hundred years ago. Watch the chocolate production before tasting their delicious products and get some gifts for your loved ones.

Loire Valley River Cruise Highlights

Loire Valley cruises are some of the most popular, blending together the natural beauty of the region, the stunning architecture, and the rich history. There are plenty of things to do in the Loire Valley, and your dedicated crew onboard will help you discover the best places to visit.

Each of our incredible river cruises will take you to some of the must-see fairytale chateaux in the Loire Valley. Take a tour of the privately-owned Château de La Bussière on the hotel barge Renaissance, before touring Montargis, with its 11th Century château and the 12th Century Church of the Madeleine. You can visit the national historic monument of Rogny-Les-Sept-Ecluses too.

For a taste of the culinary delights on this journey, you will be taken on a private wine tasting at the renowned Sancerre winery of La Perriere. Explore the vineyards and discover more about viticulture before sampling some of the best vintages on offer. You can also visit Mazet and try some of the finest chocolate in France while observing how it is made. Mazet is renowned for creating the original praline recipe more than 100 years ago, and this is the perfect treat for your trip.

For a classic trip, the yacht décor of Nymphea is ideal. The shallow draft makes her ideal for navigating those beautiful sandy reaches of the River Cher, where few vessels can cruise. Your unique journey on board allows you to travel under the famed Château de Chenonceau, with excursions to Château d’Amboise and Château du Clos Lucé.

An unusual and unforgettable trip will take you to visit a Troglodyte cave dwelling where you can see the silkworm nursery. There is the option to add a hot air balloon ride to your journey, taking you off of the beaten track and into the air.

The Hotel Barge La Nouvelle Etoile will start with a champagne welcome in the Fontainebleau forest, where impressionist Sisley painted. A cruise to the medieval town of Provins gives you the chance to watch a magnificent show with the birds of prey. The “City of Roses” is a historic walled city and is considered by many to be an exceptional example of a medieval fair town in the region.

A visit to one of the oldest towns in France, Sens, gives you the opportunity to see one of the first great Gothic cathedrals. Explore the local shops, spend time in the museum, or take a stroll around the town. The beautiful Yonne gives you narrow cobbled streets and wonderful churches, taking you back to another era. No matter the type of holiday you are looking for, you’ll find the ideal cruise in the Loire Valley for you here.

Why Book a Loire Valley Cruise?

Rich history, beautiful fairytale châteaux, fine wine and more. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a Loire Valley cruise more enjoyable. With all of our Loire Valley cruises starting in Paris or near Tours, you can get there easily. Start your holiday with a river cruise in the Loire Valley or treat yourself to a long holiday on a hotel barge. Travel on from your Loire Valley river cruise to explore the rest of France for a post-cruise stay.