Loire Valley

Stunning chateaux and world-famous vineyards

Cruise destinations for Loire Valley

The Loire valley invites wine connoisseurs and historians alike to discover it's natural beauty.

Map of the waterways

Canal and river map for Loire Valley

Hotel barges

2 hotel barge cruises

C'est La Vie barge cruise

C'est La Vie

Champagne Loire
8 guests
★★★★★
Save 20%
Renaissance barge cruise

Renaissance

Loire Valley
8 guests
★★★★★★

Self-drive boats in the Loire Valley region

Nicols

Nicols operate 10 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Save up to 20%
N DUO rental boat

N DUO

4 guests
2 adults, child
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★★
Save up to 20%
N QUATTRO B rental boat

N QUATTRO B

6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Save up to 20%
N1170 rental boat

N1170

10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Save up to 20%
N1100 rental boat

N1100

9 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★

Locaboat

Locaboat operate 12 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Save up to 25%
P1165 FB rental boat

P1165 FB

7 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Save up to 25%
P1500 FB rental boat

P1500 FB

12 guests
8 adults, 4 children
8 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★
Save up to 25%
P1260R rental boat

P1260R

10 guests
5 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Save up to 25%
Linssen 34.9  GS rental boat

Linssen 34.9 GS

6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★

France Passion Plaisance

France Passion Plaisance operate 8 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Save up to 40%
La Peniche F rental boat

La Peniche F

12 guests
12 adults, child
6 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
Save up to 40%
Tarpon 37 rental boat

Tarpon 37

10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Save up to 40%
Tarpon 32 rental boat

Tarpon 32

8 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Save up to 40%
Tarpon 49 QP rental boat

Tarpon 49 QP

12 guests
8 adults, 2 children
5 cabins
5 bathrooms
★★★★★

Le Boat

Le Boat operate 13 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Save 25%
Horizon 1 rental boat

Horizon 1

5 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Premium rating
Save 25%
Royal Mystique B rental boat

Royal Mystique B

6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
Save 25%
Caprice rental boat

Caprice

6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Save 25%
Horizon 4 rental boat

Horizon 4

9 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
Premium rating

Loire Valley information

Loire Valley

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000, the Loire Valley is characterised by the pomp and splendour of its extravagant châteaux and its gentle, rolling landscape. Referred to as the "garden of France", this fertile region boasts abundant fruit and vegetables as well as the vineyards for which it is so well known.

Starting on the River Seine at Saint-Mammès, the canals Loing, Briare and the Lateral to the Loire, connect to the Canal du Centre and then the River Saône. At Décize you can also cruise onto the Canal du Nivernais and head to Auxerre.

canal bridge Briare

As you cruise southwards, you'll cruise the spectacular "canal bridge" at Briare. With its 662 metres in length and 11 metres wide, it spans the River Loire and is an incredible construction by Eiffel in 1896. 

Views of the vineyards on top of hills can be enjoyed from The Canal Latéral à la Loire, which follows the course of the river Loire. Pretty, waterside villages with magnificent chateaux and ancient churches line the route, while delightful towns such as La Charite sur Loire and Sancerre offer the opportunity of wine tasting.

What to see and do whilst you're here

Monuments to visit

  • Castles nearby
    • Château d'Apremont
    • Château Blois
    • Château de la Bussière
    • Château Chambord
    • Château Fontainebleau
    • Château de Guedelon
    • Château Sully-sur-Loire
    • Château Saint-Fargeau
    • Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte at Maincy

Places to go

  • Visit the town of Gien
  • Visit the city of Orleans
  • Visit the town of Château Landon

Along the canals

  • Moret-sur-Loing and the inspirations for Alfred Sisley
  • Château-Musée de Nemours
  • Discover the streets Rue Raymond, Laforge of Montargis
  • Walk across 
  • View the old flight of 7 locks at Rogny-Les-Sept-Ecluses and cruise on the new flight of locks!
  • Discover the magnificent Pont-du-Canal Briare by Monsieur Eiffel
  • Walk around the quaint village of Châtillon-sur-Loire
  • Visit Sancerre and discover the red and white wines
  • Notre-Dame de La Charité-sur-Loire
  • The town of Nevers
    • Port du Croux
    • Duke Palace
    • Church Sainte-Bernadette-du-Banlay
    • Sanctuary of Saint Bernadette Soubirous of Nevers and Bernadette’s Shrine
  • The double lock and Pont-du-Canal of Guétin

To taste and eat

  • Wine tasting in Sancerre
  • Wines of Pouilly-sur-Loire and Pouilly Fumé
  • Taste the Crottin de Chavignol goat's cheese near Sancerre

Information, history and details of the waterways in this region

The Briare Canal   The Cher   The Berry Canal   The Loing Canal   The Maine   The Loire Lateral Canal