Departure by coach towards the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau. Built on an island in the middle of the Indre River, the structure as it stands today was erected during the reign of Francis I by a wealthy financier, Gilles Berthelot, who sought to combine Italian innovations with French architectural art. Listed as a historic monument, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau embodies all the refinement of an early French Renaissance château. Upon arrival, admire the monumental and innovative grand staircase with its straight ramp, a true architectural treasure. Your visit will also lead you to the beautifully restored Biencourt Salon, a testament to 19th-century French sophistication and lifestyle. Be charmed by the ambiance and decoration reminiscent of aristocratic residences of the 19th century! Philippe Lesbahy’s bedroom, the lady of the house in the 16th century, will immerse you in a purely Renaissance atmosphere. This space showcases the craftsmanship of the period, including reed weaving—a unique curiosity of Azay-le-Rideau used for aesthetically insulating walls. Here, the refined interiors have been recreated through extensive restoration work based on archival records, as evidenced by the reproduction of the bed textiles, hand-embroidered with gold and silver threads.
Continuation to Villandry for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a stroll through the gardens of the Château de Villandry: spread across three levels, they combine aesthetics, diversity, and harmony. Then, visit the Château de Villandry. Through its furniture, décor, and ambiance, it stands as a living testimony to French heritage. When Jean Le Breton acquired the Villandry estate, the building was a medieval fortress. The defensive architecture was softened, opened to the outside, and enriched with Renaissance decorative elements. In the 18th century, the Marquis de Castellane settled in Villandry, undertaking extensive renovations to transform the building into a comfortable, warm, and luminous residence, characteristic of the art of living of that era.
Joachim Carvallo and Ann Coleman saved the estate, which had fallen into disrepair by the late 19th century, and launched a restoration campaign to return it to its Renaissance state. Henri Carvallo, the current owner of Villandry, continues his ancestors' legacy by balancing the preservation of this unique heritage with enhancing the estate for the enjoyment of visitors.
PLEASE NOTE
- The order of the visits can change.
- Times are approximate.
Departure by coach towards the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau. Built on an island in the middle of the Indre River, the structure as it stands today was erected during the reign of Francis I by a wealthy financier, Gilles Berthelot, who sought to combine Italian innovations with French architectural art. Listed as a historic monument, the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau embodies all the refinement of an early French Renaissance château. Upon arrival, admire the monumental and innovative grand staircase with its straight ramp, a true architectural treasure. Your visit will also lead you to the beautifully restored Biencourt Salon, a testament to 19th-century French sophistication and lifestyle. Be charmed by the ambiance and decoration reminiscent of aristocratic residences of the 19th century! Philippe Lesbahy’s bedroom, the lady of the house in the 16th century, will immerse you in a purely Renaissance atmosphere. This space showcases the craftsmanship of the period, including reed weaving—a unique curiosity of Azay-le-Rideau used for aesthetically insulating walls. Here, the refined interiors have been recreated through extensive restoration work based on archival records, as evidenced by the reproduction of the bed textiles, hand-embroidered with gold and silver threads.
Continuation to Villandry for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a stroll through the gardens of the Château de Villandry: spread across three levels, they combine aesthetics, diversity, and harmony. Then, visit the Château de Villandry. Through its furniture, décor, and ambiance, it stands as a living testimony to French heritage. When Jean Le Breton acquired the Villandry estate, the building was a medieval fortress. The defensive architecture was softened, opened to the outside, and enriched with Renaissance decorative elements. In the 18th century, the Marquis de Castellane settled in Villandry, undertaking extensive renovations to transform the building into a comfortable, warm, and luminous residence, characteristic of the art of living of that era.
Joachim Carvallo and Ann Coleman saved the estate, which had fallen into disrepair by the late 19th century, and launched a restoration campaign to return it to its Renaissance state. Henri Carvallo, the current owner of Villandry, continues his ancestors' legacy by balancing the preservation of this unique heritage with enhancing the estate for the enjoyment of visitors.
PLEASE NOTE
- The order of the visits can change.
- Times are approximate.
Cruises
This shore excursion is available for one or several cruises
Beautiful Brittany and Royal Opulence in the Loire (port-to-port cruise)
Nantes - Vannes - Quiberon - Carnac - Auray - Vannes - NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE - NANTES - ANCENIS - CHALONNES-SUR-LOIRE - The Châteaux of the Loire Valley - ANCENIS - NANTES
Begin your vacation with an exclusive three-day trip through Brittany, a proud French region with a more-than-thousand-year-old heritage that has spread its influence across the area. From the prehistoric megaliths in Carnac to the wave-beaten coasts of the Quiberon Peninsula, set off on a journey through a stunning region shaped by humans and nature alike. Top off your Breton experience with breakfast in a local crêperie and a visit to Auray, a charming village on the Gulf of Morbihan. Then climb aboard for a cruise on the Loire, the royal river with legendary scenery.
From the Châteaux of Chambord and Chenonceau to the Loire Valley
Paris - Châteaux of the Loire Valley - NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE - NANTES - CHALONNES-SUR-LOIRE - ANCENIS - NANTES
A taste of Paris linked with the history of France: discover the castles of the Loire between Chambord and Chenonceau before boarding the river boat for a cruise on the Royal Loire river whose beautiful landscapes are legendary. Visit Nantes and The Machines of the Isle of Nantes, a gallery that recreates the imaginary world of the famous writer Jules Verne. Discover Saint-Nazaire and admire its shipyard and the Escal'Atlantic which immerses you in the world of steamships from the beginnings of their gigantic construction to life on board. Soak up the magical castles of the Loire such as Brissac, the highest castle in France whose monumental facades rise up from its large landscaped park.
The Loire Valley, a Royal legacy (port-to-port cruise)
NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE - NANTES - ANCENIS - CHALONNES-SUR-LOIRE - The Châteaux of the Loire Valley - ANCENIS - NANTES
Embark on a cruise on the Royal Loire River whose beauty is legendary. Visit Nantes and The Machines of the Isle of Nantes, a gallery that recreates the imaginary world of the famous writer Jules Verne. Discover Saint-Nazaire and admire its shipyard and the Escal'Atlantic which immerses you in the world of steamships from the beginnings of their gigantic construction to life on board. Soak up the magical castles of the Loire such as Brissac, the highest castle in France whose monumental facades rise up from its large landscaped park.
Getaway on the Loire: An unforgettable cruise in celebration of our 10th anniversary on this enchanting river (port-to-port cruise)
NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE - NANTES - ANCENIS - The Châteaux of the Loire Valley - CHALONNES-SUR-LOIRE - ANCENIS – NANTES
Join other loyalty club members for a festive, jubilant time. Climb aboard an exclusive cruise on the Loire, the French royal river with legendary scenery. We have carefully prepared everything just for you, including a tour of the fascinating city of Nantes and the emblematic Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, a testimony to the region’s former power. Discover the shipyards in Saint-Nazaire and the gigantic ocean-liner experience Escal'Atlantic that traces the history of Norman and French ocean liners. Step back in time to the elegant French Renaissance at the châteaux in the Loire Valley.
This immersive experience brings you to the beguiling treasures hidden within the gorgeous Loire Region.
The Loire Valley, a Royal legacy (port-to-port cruise)
NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE - NANTES - ANCENIS - CHALONNES-SUR-LOIRE - The Châteaux of the Loire Valley - ANCENIS - NANTES
Embark on a cruise on the Royal Loire River whose beauty is legendary. Visit Nantes and The Machines of the Isle of Nantes, a gallery that recreates the imaginary world of the famous writer Jules Verne. Discover Saint-Nazaire and admire its shipyard and the Escal'Atlantic which immerses you in the world of steamships from the beginnings of their gigantic construction to life on board. Soak up the magical castles of the Loire.