Accommodating up to 6 passengers
Nymphea is rated 4 star
- Cruise under the famous Château de Chenonceau
- Visit a Troglodyte cave dwelling and see the silkworm nursery
- Excursion to the Château d'Amboise and Château de Clos Lucé
- Private wine tastings at Montrichard and the Domaine de Fontenay
- Visit to Château de Villandry and its magnificent gardens
- Tour of Château de Chenonceau and gardens
- Colourful street markets
- Optional hot-air ballooning
Download the information pack(s) for Nymphea
Cruise information file for Nymphea
Specifications
Crew members : 3
Boat size
Length 82′0″ ft (25 metres)
Width 13′1″ ft (4 metres)
Number of bicycles : 6
Accommodation
Up to 6 guests
Double cabins : 1
Twin cabins : 2
Also...
Central heating
Air-conditioning
Nymphea photos and videos
Click on any photo to begin the slide show, with photos of the barge and cruise program
About the barge "Nymphea"
The Classic Dutch, shallow draft design of Nymphea enables her to navigate the beautiful, peaceful river Cher. The rich coloured hardwoods coupled with the light filtering through the stained glass windows produces a sense of warmth and calm to make you feel instantly relaxed. Nymphea offers luxury accommodation in three elegantly decorated twin suites with ensuite fitted bathrooms. 6 bikes are at your disposal for exploring the countryside at your will.
Plan of Nymphea
Nymphea cruise routes & itineraries
Cruising on the river Loire from Moulin de Nitray
Moulin de Nitray
Sunday
Guests are met near Tours and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to hotel barge Nymphea where the crew and a Champagne welcomes await you at our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray.
Dinner on board.
Sunday
Guests are met near Tours and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to hotel barge Nymphea where the crew and a Champagne welcomes await you at our mooring opposite the 17th century Moulin de Nitray.
Dinner on board.
Moulin de Nitray to Larcay
Monday
After breakfast, a gentle morning cruise takes us through two locks to the quaint town of Larcay where we moor under the weeping willows for lunch.
In the afternoon we enjoy the first of our excursions, to explore the Chateau de Villandry, the last of the great Renaissance chateaux to be built on the banks of the Loire.
The chateau is world-renowned for its amazing variety of ornamental, water, vegetable and herb gardens.
Dinner on board.
Monday
After breakfast, a gentle morning cruise takes us through two locks to the quaint town of Larcay where we moor under the weeping willows for lunch.
In the afternoon we enjoy the first of our excursions, to explore the Chateau de Villandry, the last of the great Renaissance chateaux to be built on the banks of the Loire.
The chateau is world-renowned for its amazing variety of ornamental, water, vegetable and herb gardens.
Dinner on board.
Larcay to Vallet
Tuesday
After a morning cruise past no less than six private chateaux, we tie up opposite the hamlet of Vallet, consisting of a cluster of classic Tourangeau architecture grouped around its 18th century mill. After lunch, we drive to Amboise on the banks of the Loire, where we visit the Royal Chateau d'Amboise, a royal residence of the kings of France for 200 years.
We also visit nearby Chateau de Clos Luce where Leonardo Da Vinci spent the last three years of his life.
Dinner on board.
Tuesday
After a morning cruise past no less than six private chateaux, we tie up opposite the hamlet of Vallet, consisting of a cluster of classic Tourangeau architecture grouped around its 18th century mill. After lunch, we drive to Amboise on the banks of the Loire, where we visit the Royal Chateau d'Amboise, a royal residence of the kings of France for 200 years.
We also visit nearby Chateau de Clos Luce where Leonardo Da Vinci spent the last three years of his life.
Dinner on board.
Vallet to Chissay-en-Touraine
Wednesday
Whilst cruising in the morning we may pull in to the tiny landing stage near to Domaine de Fontenay.
A two-minute walk brings us into the courtyard where we can taste their range of Touraine wines as an aperitif before lunch.
In the afternoon we cruise under the 5-arch bridge of the impressive Chateau de Chenonceau and moor at Chisseaux.
From there we take a short drive in the air-conditioned minibus to visit Chenonceau, often called The Ladies Chateau, after those such as Henry II's mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who added the bridge over the river Cher and the beautiful gardens.
Upon our return, we cruise upstream to Chissay-en-Touraine and have dinner tonight in one of the local restaurants specializing in Loire cuisine.
Wednesday
Whilst cruising in the morning we may pull in to the tiny landing stage near to Domaine de Fontenay.
A two-minute walk brings us into the courtyard where we can taste their range of Touraine wines as an aperitif before lunch.
In the afternoon we cruise under the 5-arch bridge of the impressive Chateau de Chenonceau and moor at Chisseaux.
From there we take a short drive in the air-conditioned minibus to visit Chenonceau, often called The Ladies Chateau, after those such as Henry II's mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who added the bridge over the river Cher and the beautiful gardens.
Upon our return, we cruise upstream to Chissay-en-Touraine and have dinner tonight in one of the local restaurants specializing in Loire cuisine.
Chissay-en-Touraine to Montrichard
Thursday
A morning cruise takes us towards the troglodyte village of Bourre and we moor and explore some of the more unusual dwellings.
The Coquilat family have grown up in this hillside troglodyte habitation, which has in turn been a wine cellar, a quarry for the tuffeau stone, and lastly, a silkworm nursery.
After lunch, we drive to the Château of Valencay, which George Sand declared to be "one of the most beautiful on earth".
Enjoy an evening cruise to Montrichard where we moor for the night.
Dinner on board.
Thursday
A morning cruise takes us towards the troglodyte village of Bourre and we moor and explore some of the more unusual dwellings.
The Coquilat family have grown up in this hillside troglodyte habitation, which has in turn been a wine cellar, a quarry for the tuffeau stone, and lastly, a silkworm nursery.
After lunch, we drive to the Château of Valencay, which George Sand declared to be "one of the most beautiful on earth".
Enjoy an evening cruise to Montrichard where we moor for the night.
Dinner on board.
Montrichard to Moulin de Nitray
Friday
Following breakfast, a short stroll takes us to the heart of Montrichard and into one of the largest street markets in Touraine.
We explore the 11th century chateau overlooking the medieval town square.
Before lunch we can visit the local vineyard of the Meriau family, to taste the regional Touraine wines.
In the afternoon, we enjoy another passage under Chenonceau and arrive at the hamlet of Nitray in time to visit the château and magnificently scented rose garden.
Enjoy an aperitif from their vineyards before the Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Friday
Following breakfast, a short stroll takes us to the heart of Montrichard and into one of the largest street markets in Touraine.
We explore the 11th century chateau overlooking the medieval town square.
Before lunch we can visit the local vineyard of the Meriau family, to taste the regional Touraine wines.
In the afternoon, we enjoy another passage under Chenonceau and arrive at the hamlet of Nitray in time to visit the château and magnificently scented rose garden.
Enjoy an aperitif from their vineyards before the Captain's Farewell Dinner on board.
Moulin de Nitray
Saturday
After breakfast, guests will be transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the drop-off point near Tours.
Saturday
After breakfast, guests will be transferred by private chauffeured minibus to the drop-off point near Tours.
Cruise rates
Moulin de Nitray on the Loire dates and rates
| 2020 USD rates for USA & CANADA residents | Regular | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 6 | 27200 USD | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 5 | 25800 USD | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 4 | 24400 USD | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 2 | 20500 USD | ||||
| Stateroom per person | 4790 USD | ||||
| Single supplement | 1900 USD | ||||
| STERLING rates 2020 for UNITED KINGDOM residents | Regular | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 6 | £19200 | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 5 | £18300 | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 4 | £17400 | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 2 | £14800 | ||||
| EURO rates 2020 ALL OTHER COUNTRIES | Regular | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 6 | 23500€ | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 5 | 22400€ | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 4 | 21300€ | ||||
| Whole boat charter for 2 | 18200€ | ||||
| Stateroom per person | 4190€ | ||||
| Single supplement | 1600€ |
Prices include: Local transfer between local meeting point and the hotel barge (approximate transfer duration is between 15 and 30 minutes), a luxury 6-night cruise, all meals on board cartered for by the on-board Master Chef, an open barge 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non-alocoholic drinks, all wines served throughout the cruise; excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary, the services of 2-3 crew: Captain/Tour Guide & Cjef/housekeeper, and use of the barge facilities, which includes bicycles.
Nymphea has an unusual layout and the Chenonceau stateroom is accessed from the outside main-deck by 7 steps to the cabin below.
Nymphea has an unusual layout and the Chenonceau stateroom is accessed from the outside main-deck by 7 steps to the cabin below.
Cycling charter: 3250 USD / £2500 / 2850€ supplement
Golf charter 600 USD/ £450/ 525€ supplement, per player
| Regular | June 28 to September 27 |
| Regular | June 28 to September 27 |
Enquiry & availability for Nymphea
After you've submitted your enquiry form, if you do not receive a reply within the next 24 hours
then please call Emma +33 614 250 200 or email emmas.cruises@gmail.com.