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The most beautiful châteaux of the Loire in a 5-day cruise aboard a paddlewheel barge

Main characteristics
Type of boat: péniche
Number of cabins: 48
Maximum capacity: 96 travelers
Crew members: 24

Cabs

Cat A - Double Cabin - Upper Deck
Capacity: 2 Beds maximum
Cabin with two divisible beds, furnished terrace and sliding panoramic windows. Premium cabin location.
Cat A - Double Cabin - Upper Deck
Capacity: 2 Beds maximum
Cabin with double bed, furnished terrace and panoramic sliding windows. Premium cabin location.
Cat B - Double Cabin - Upper Deck
Capacity: 2 Beds maximum
Cabin with two divisible beds, furnished terrace and sliding panoramic windows. Cabin with "intermediate" location.
Cat B - PMR (Personnes à Mobilité Réduite) - Upper deck
Capacity: 2 Beds maximum
Cabin with terrace and sliding panoramic windows. Cabin with "intermediate" location.
see more cabins
NB: The photos, information and visuals presented are not contractually binding. The indicated itinerary and program may be modified without prior notice for technical reasons (decision of the captain).

Sailing itineraries

Nantes Saint-Nazaire
Boarding at 6:00 PM. Departure for a cruise towards Saint-Nazaire. Crew introduction and welcome... see+ cocktail. Lively evening. 
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Saint-Nazaire Nantes
In the morning, optional authentic excursion/experience: Saint-Nazaire, a seaside town (bookings... see+ required before departure. Valid ID will be required at the time of booking and on site on the day of the visit). This visit full of surprises will delight young and old alike. In the heart of the submarine base, let yourself be transported back in time. You will discover the fabulous adventure of transatlantic liners. Between reality and exceptional scenery, you will walk in the footsteps of yesterday's passengers, exploring the decks, gangways, and cabins. A fascinating story. We will return to the ship in Saint-Nazaire.
Afternoon sailing to Nantes. In the past, the Loire was one of the main trade and transport routes in France. In the 17th century, wine, coal, wood, cereals, and salt were transported on the river. This enabled the growth of many towns along the Loire. Evening dance on the side of the boat. 
Optional services: Guided tour of the Saint-Nazaire shipyard, see+
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Nantes Ancenis Chalonnes-sur-Loire
Morning cruise towards Ancenis. The river is full of remarkable landscapes where wildlife and flora... see+ accompany you along the way. Take the opportunity to relax on the sun deck and admire the stunning scenery around you.
In the afternoon, optional excursions:
Authentic: The Muscadet wine route and the medieval village of Clisson. This itinerary is full of surprises, both in terms of landscapes and encounters. The Château de Cassemichère estate invites you to discover its vineyard steeped in history. The small town of Clisson is equally charming, showcasing a picturesque setting. The "Little Italy" of the Pays de la Loire will enchant you with its Tuscan ambiance, and you will enjoy the friendly atmosphere as you stroll through the narrow streets.
Experience: Helicopter flight over the Loire (Subject to availability at the time of booking and favorable weather conditions; pre-booking required before departure). Enjoy every second of the flight as you soar over breathtaking locations. You will spot the medieval tower of Oudon overlooking Ancenis, the Château de Clermont, once owned by Louis de Funès, the Île d’Or golf course beautifully situated along the Loire, and return via Champtoceaux, one of the most stunning viewpoints of the Loire.
Gala evening.
(The stop at Chalonnes-sur-Loire may be replaced by a stop at Ancenis.) 
Optional services: Helicopter flight: the Loire from the air, The Muscadet route, see+
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Chalonnes-sur-Loire Nantes
Departure by coach towards the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau. Built on an island in the middle of the... see+ Indre River, the building, as it stands today, was constructed during the reign of Francis I by a wealthy financier, Gilles Berthelot, who sought to combine Italian innovations with French architectural craftsmanship. Classified as a historic monument, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau embodies all the refinement of an early French Renaissance château.
Continuation to Villandry for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a walk through the gardens of the Château de Villandry: spread over three levels, they combine aesthetics, diversity, and harmony. Then, visit the Château de Villandry. Through its furnishings, decor, and atmosphere, it serves as a living testimony to French heritage. The Villandry estate has evolved over the centuries. Acquired by Jean Le Breton, it transformed from a medieval fortress into a residence enriched with Renaissance elements. In the 18th century, the Marquis de Castellane turned it into a comfortable and bright home, reflecting the art of living of the time. In the 19th century, it was saved by Joachim Carvallo and Ann Coleman, who restored it to its Renaissance state. Today, Henri Carvallo continues this legacy by combining preservation with the enhancement of the site. 
Included activities: Day trip to the Loire castles, see+
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Nantes
Buffet breakfast on board. Disembarkation at 10am. End of our services.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Included

The price includes
Refined French cuisine
Gala dinner and evening
WIFI
Drinks included on board (excluding special cards)
Assistance / repatriation insurance
Port taxes
Bed linen, towels, shower gel and shampoo
The activities included in the program
Meals included in the program
The price does not include
Drinks on special menus
Beverages taken with meals during excursions or transfers
Cancellation/luggage insurance
Routing
Transfers
Activities not included in the program
Meals not included in the program
Tips for guides and/or crew
Further information
Excursions must be added at least two weeks before the cruise departure date. Any changes made after the reservation has been confirmed will incur a €50 change fee per booking
The guides speak French and English
Languages spoken on board: French
Optional excursions are subject to availability and must be booked in advance before departure
Optional services
Flights not included in the program are available on request
Activities and excursions on request see+

Activities

Day trip to the Loire castles
Departure by coach to Azay-le-Rideau Castle. Built on an island in the middle of the Indre River, the building as it stands today was constructed during the reign of Francis I by a wealthy financier, Gilles Berthelot, who wanted to combine innovations from... see+ Italy with French architectural style. Listed as a historic monument, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau embodies all the refinement of a castle from the early French Renaissance. Upon arrival, admire the monumental and innovative grand staircase with its straight banister, a true architectural treasure. Your tour will also take you to the beautiful Biencourt salon, which has been completely restored and now bears witness to the savoir-vivre of the 19th century. Let yourself be charmed by the atmosphere and decoration, reminiscent of 19th-century aristocratic residences! The bedroom of Philippe Lesbahy, mistress of the house in the 16th century, will immerse you in a purely Renaissance atmosphere. This space reveals a summary of all the skills of the time, in particular that of rush weaving, a curiosity unique to Azay-le-Rideau that was used to insulate the walls aesthetically. Here, the refinement of the interiors has been recreated thanks to extensive restoration work based on archives, as evidenced by the restoration of the bed textiles, hand-embroidered with gold and silver thread.Continue to Villandry for lunch.In the afternoon, enjoy a stroll through the gardens of Villandry Castle: spread over three levels, they combine aesthetics, diversity, and harmony. Then visit Villandry Castle. Through its furniture, decor, and atmosphere, it is a living testimony to French heritage. When Jean Le Breton acquired the Villandry estate, the building was a medieval fortress. The fender architecture was lightened, opened up to the outside and enriched with Renaissance decorative elements. In the 18th century, the Marquis de Castellane moved to Villandry, undertaking major work to transform the building into a comfortable, warm and bright residence characteristic of the lifestyle of the time. Joachim Carvallo and Ann Coleman saved the estate, which had fallen into disuse at the end of the 19th century, from disappearing and undertook a series of renovations to restore it to its Renaissance state. Henri Carvallo, the current owner of Villandry, is following in the footsteps of his ancestors by preserving this unique heritage while enhancing the site for the enjoyment of visitors.NOTESThe order of visits may be changed.Times are given as a guide only. 
Included
Guided tour of the Saint-Nazaire shipyard
We will begin the tour at Escal'Atlantic, which ingeniously retraces the history of the Normandie and France ocean liners through reality and imagination. A life-size representation in memory of these two legendary giants. Then, we will head to the Saint... see+ Nazaire shipyard, one of the largest shipyards in Europe. It perpetuates a world-renowned expertise. In the past, it built transatlantic liners (France, Normandie) and today it builds giant cruise ships. Thanks to a specially designed tour, you will discover the immensity of the industrial site (108 hectares). The astonishing logistics and high technology used to build these giants of the seas will give you an understanding of the stages involved in constructing these veritable floating palaces of the modern age.NOTES(Advance booking required before departure. A valid ID card will be required at the time of booking and on site on the day of the visit).The order of visits may be changed. 
Not included $84 / pers.
Helicopter flight: the Loire from the air
Drive to Ancenis Airport and depart for a helicopter flight over the Loire Valley. Seen from the sky, you will discover breathtaking landscapes. You will fly over the Tower of Oudon, whose medieval architecture rises skyward and dominates the town of Ancenis,... see+ and further on, the Château de Clermont, a Renaissance building in the Louis XIII style that was once the home of Louis de Funès. Then you will see the Île d'Or golf course, set in a unique location on an island in the Loire. The minutes tick by and it's time to return to Ancenis. On the way back, you will fly over Champtoceaux, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful panoramas of the Loire. NOTES Flight subject to favorable weather conditions - RESERVATION REQUIRED BEFORE DEPARTURE AND SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY The order of visits may be changed. Times are given as a guide only.  
Not included $291 / pers.
The Muscadet route
Pass through numerous villages that bear witness to the region's strong wine-growing identity. Continue to La Chapelle Heulin and stop at Château Cassemichère (or similar). This exceptional place invites you to discover its vineyard steeped in... see+ history, visit its cellars and taste* this dry, light, fruity white wine with a bouquet. Then head to Clisson, a charming little medieval town where 15th-century ruins coexist with a touch of Italy. Clisson's fascinating history takes you back in time to the prosperous Middle Ages and the illustrious figures who lived in its imposing castle. NOTES The order of visits may be changed. Times are given as a guide only. *Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibly.  
Not included $83 / pers.

Information about the partner

Commercial history with Filovent

  • Filovent partner since 2023
  • Last booking with this partner in November 2025
  • 281 bookings with this partner

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