b'TO/FROM THE WATERWAYS OF FRANCELONDON VIA PARISTHE LOIRE VALLEY Days 1-2 - London, Briare and Lr BRIAREWe travel on the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris before transferring to our barge, MS Raymonde, in Briare. Our cruise startsLR 6by taking us through the Briare Aqueduct, once the longest navigableMNTROL-SOUS-SANCERREaqueduct in the world. On Day 2, we explore Briare, discoveringCHAPELLE MONTLINARDthe 19th-century Chteau de Trousse-Barrire, formerly an old farmhouse bought by engineer Hugues Cosnier at the time of theMARSEILLES-LS-AUBIGNYconstruction of Briares canal. Afterwards, we make a visit to BriaresNEVERSMuseum Conservatory, dedicated to the Loire Valley and its canals.By Ship 1 Nights on shipBe immersed in the traditions of this proud canal-faring region asBy Rail By Coachwe learn about the development of boating on the Loire and the navigational techniques sailors used to use. In the evening, weWHATS INCLUDED continue to Lr, a small town set amidst rustic farmland. Days 3-4 - Mntrol-sous-Sancerre and Sancerre UK Tour Manager until We explore medieval Sancerre, an attractive hilltop town thatembarkation and from overlooks the undulating scenery of the Loires riverbanks. After freedisembarkation of MS time, we taste the regions famous Sauvignon Blanc, a popular crispRaymondewhite wine, alongside a selection of tasty cheeses at a local goat farm. While Sancerre was once known for its Pinot vintages, a terrible caseAll cruise excursionsof phylloxera decimated the vineyards. During the replanting process, LOIRE VALLEY WATERWAYS the formerly favourable Pinot grapes were replaced with SauvignonReturn, escorted rail Blanc crops, something the region is still famous for today. travel from London St MS RAYMONDE On Day 4, we visit Pouilly-sur-Loire, an idyllic town renowned for itsPancras to your bargewhite wines. We take a tour of vineyards where the Pouilly-Fum 7 DAYS FROM 2,395 grape is grown before a tasting that allows us to experience the6-night cruise aboard famous flavours of this delightful wine first-hand. Fittingly, the wineMS Raymondecultivated in this area of France would be exclusively exported and Cruise along the idyllic waterways of the Loire Valley and take indelivered by barge, after the opening of the Canal de Briare in 1642.Breakfast, lunch and the historic towns and villages that have grown prosperous on the bountyAfterwards, we continue to Chapelle Montlinard, a rural area madedinner each day of your of the regions world-class wine trade. Enjoy a number of wine tastings on thisup of farmland and a small collection of bucolic hamlets. cruiseculinary trip, and discover more about the famous flavours of a Days 5-7 - Marseilles-ls-Aubigny, Nevers and London All-inclusive selection of We enjoy a fascinating tour of La Charit-sur-Loire, a picture-perfectcomplimentary beers, French classic - Sauvignon Blanc. French town built around its beautifully restored monastery, whichwines and soft drinks has withstood much turmoil in its long history - including a great fireeach day of your cruiseand the French Wars of Religion. We return to our ship in the evening for a gala dinner. On Day 6, we explore Fontmorigny Abbey, a formerComplimentary luggage Cistercian monastery that is now privately owned and which hastransfersCRUISE HIGHLIGHTSSANCERRE become one of the most popular monuments in the region. We also see the floral gardens of Apremont-sur-Allier, considered some of the most beautiful in France. After dark, we set out on a lantern-lit tour ofSHIP INFORMATION Tour Briare Home of Chteau de Trousse- lively Nevers and its atmospheric Old Town. Disembarking our barge Barrire, theres also a fascinating Museumon Day 7, we transfer to Paris for the Eurostar to London St Pancras. For deck plans and more ship Conservatory where we learn about oldinformation, please see pages navigational techniques sailors once used. 138-141Visit Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire Enjoy a tasting of aromatic Sauvignon Blanc alongside a selection of cheeses before touring a vineyard in Pouilly-sur-Loire and sampling wines made from the Pouilly-Fum grape, known for its distinctive smoky colour.Explore Nevers Brimming with history, the city2023 Rail & Cruise from London St Pancrasof Nevers is a delight to explore, which we doTour Code: CLV | Standard Class Railon a walking tour with lanterns. We discover its Roman Catholic cathedral, home to two apses,May 30 2,395 Sep 5 2,495one of which dates back to the RomanesqueJun 27 2,495 Sep 19 2,495period while the other boasts 14th-centuryAug 22 2,395Gothic architecture.Deposit from 360 per person. Solo Occupancy available.116 THE WATERWAYS OF FRANCE Call us on 01904 521972 or visitfor moGreatRail.comre informatio for mon. re details 117Visit your local Travel Agent'