Discover charming French cities on a 7-day private venture along the Loire Canal in France aboard the MS Déborah. This cruise takes you to the heart of authentic terroirs and cities full of character and heritage. Cruise along the Loire Canal, a royal river with legendary beauty. Explore unique places such as Nevers located in the heart of Burgundy, but also the Fontmorigny Abbey, recounting 8 centuries of monastic history. Discover wine and gastronomic cities such as Pouilly-sur-Loire and Sancerre.
Highlights
Discover sumptuous and varied landscapes along the Loire River with your private group of up to 22 guests
Visit Nevers, famous pilgrimage site with an exceptional history
Taste France's most well-known wines
Visit historic, authentic and well-preserved sites and regions in France
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Transfer by coach from Paris to join the ship in Briare (duration approximately 2 hours). Passengers can board at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, meet the crew at a welcome cocktail and dinner. Then, cruise through the Briare Aqueduct, whose 14 masonry supports were built by the Eiffel Company. Until recently, it was the longest navigable aqueduct in the world. Afterward, the ship returns to Briare.
Join a visit of Briare and the Deux Marines Museum. Take a tourist train to discover the village of Briare and its hidden treasures, among them the Chateau de Trousse-Barriere - an imposing 19th-century brick castle - and the town hall, a modest castle that was modified in the 18th century. Traveling along the tree-lined canal, you may also see locks and lock-keeper houses and the quaint bridges that cross the waterways. The 19th-century Church of Saint-Etienne was built on the site of an earlier church and combines elements taken from both Byzantine and Gothic styles of architecture. Then, visit the Deux Marines Museum and learn about the history of the Loire and its canals: the spot that was once considered the most important waterway crossroads in France. Spend the afternoon cruising to Léré. The evening is free to do as you please.
Join on an excursion to Sancerre and a goat farm. Set in the historic Berry region, Sancerre overlooks the gorgeous Loire Valley. Discover this beautiful medieval city by following the Fil d'Ariane: a red line painted on the streets taking you past the old wine-making neighborhoods, bakeries, fascinating buildings, and lovely art galleries.
The Fief Tower (optional visit with separate entrance fee; significant stairs to climb) is the only remaining tower of the 14th-century medieval castle. Afterward, you can visit a goat farm and have a tasting of its trademark cheeses and the local Sancerre wine. The family on the farm is raising approximately 200 goats and 60 cows and that are happy to share their cheese-making secrets with you. Spend the afternoon cruising towards Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre. The evening is free to do as you please.
Leave by coach for a visit of Pouilly-sur-Loire, where you can drop by at the Tour de Pouilly-Fumé: a wine-tourism center located in a beautiful setting. Visit the vineyards, the wine cellar and enjoy a tasting. Afterward, you may return on board and continue towards Herry. The evening is free to do as you please.
Leave by coach for a tour of La Charité-sur-Loire and an authentic farm. Begin the exploration with the priory, one of the most important restoration sites in Burgundy for the past 15 years. Then, visit a farm deep in the countryside, where you can experience the rustic calm and authenticity that can be found only in France. Afterward, you may return on board and spend the afternoon cruising. Take advantage of this time to ride one of the onboard bikes or walk along the canal (5km-long). Enjoy the gala dinner tonight.
Leave by coach for the visit to the Fontmorigny Abbey, a privately-owned French historical monument. Now one of the main cultural sites in the area, it is a testimony to over 8 centuries of French religious heritage. The contemporary stain-glass windows are not to be missed. Continue the tour to Apremont-sur-Allier and its floral garden. Classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, this small medieval jewel on the bank of the Allier is an absolute must-see. The village offers a stunning point of view of the castle that overlooks it, also a nice stroll along the Allier river. You may return on board at the end of the morning and cruise to Nevers through the afternoon. Take advantage of this time to ride one of the onboard bikes or walk along the canal (2km-long). At nightfall, leave on a romantic tour of Nevers with lanterns.
Day 7: Nevers | Disembark | Transfer to Paris
1 Breakfast
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking. Transfer by coach from Nevers to Paris (duration approximately 2 hours.)
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
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Main Deck
10 double cabins equipped with private bath with shower, TV, cabin-to-cabin telephone, safe, and air conditioning.
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Lower Deck
1 cabin for passengers with reduced mobility equipped with private bath with shower, TV, cabin-to-cabin telephone, safe, and air conditioning.
Notes
For children aged 2 up to 10: 20% discount on the price of the cruise, excluding flight, taxes, additional charges and service fees.
Triple Cabin Reduction: 30% discount on the price of the cruise will be given to the 3rd occupant from the same family in triple-occupancy cabins, excluding flight, taxes, additional charges and service fees.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.