Les Ponts-de-Cé
Detailed map of Angers
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Les Ponts-de-Cé
Loire river boat trip
June 4, 2026
A mythical river that has inspired painters and poets alike, the Loire is an ideal destination for a romantic boat trip. Whether for the whole family, with commentary or accompanied by a meal, it will punctuate your stay with an unforgettable experience.
Why take a trip on the Loire?
Whether it lasts several days or just a few hours, a cruise on the Loire is guaranteed to be a rejuvenating and unforgettable experience. It’s also a wonderful way to discover the natural heritage of the river and the architectural treasures that line its banks.
With its sunny sandbars where migratory birds come to rest, the Loire boasts lush vegetation and incredible biodiversity along its banks, islands, and islets. Here you can observe rare plants, some of which have come from the far corners of the world, as well as a wide variety of birds.
A cruise on the Loire is also an opportunity to admire the towns, villages, and monuments along its banks from a different perspective: from the river, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of castles perched above the water, such as those in Amboise, Blois, Saumur, and Montsoreau, as well as troglodyte settlements carved into the hillsides, charming villages like Candes-Saint-Martin, Béhuard, Les Ponts-de-Cé, and Le Thoureil, as well as major cities like Tours.
Passengers on a boat on the Loire can enjoy a stroll along the riverbanks beforeboarding a boat for excursions along the river. These traditional boat tours are available by reservation and offer you the chance to discover the Loire estuary and its many castles listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The routes of the river cruises on the Loire
There are many possible routes, depending on whether you want to take a long hike or a short trip along the Loire.
To enjoy a walk lasting an hour or a few hours during your stay at Slow Village Loire Valley—such as a guided tour or a meal—there are several options to choose from:
- A trip on a gabare departing from Angers, on the Maine River in front of the château, to join the Loire River.
- Tasting tours on a "toue cabanée" from Saumur to Montsoreau, or as far as Gennes or Le Thoureil.
- A half-day trip with an introduction to fishing for Loire fish, departing from Saint-Florent-le-Vieil.
If you opt for a longer boat trip, you can cover great distances on the river.
Possible routes include:
- The Loire from Nantes to the gates of Angers, starting at the river estuary and continuing to Bouchemaine, where the Maine and Loire rivers meet.
- The Loire from Angers (Les Ponts-de-Cé) to Saumur, via Le Thoureil and Les Rosiers-sur-Loire
Which company should you choose to sail the Loire?
Between Angers and Saumur, several companies offer original packages of guided walks and storytelling, twilight walks, lunchtime strolls, birdwatching boat trips and Loire wine Loire wines :
- Terre et Loire in La Possonnière
- Loire Évasion in Saumur
- Loire Aventure in Montsoreau
- Loire Odyssée boat in Loire-Authion
- Atoue Loire in Angers
- L'Hirondelle boat in Angers
- Dreams of the Loire and beyond at Gennes-Val-de-Loire
For a longer trip on the Loire, from the Château des Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes to the fortress of Angers and even to the royal castles of Chambord and Chenonceaux, you can opt for the CroisiEurope company and its Loire Princesse boat.
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Les Ponts-de-Cé
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