If you’re looking for a Loire Valley river cruise review, here you go! CroisiEurope’s river cruise along the Loire promises castles, gardens, wine, and relaxed sightseeing without the stress of hotel hopping.

My four-night sailing with CroisiEurope, part of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Editors Council annual meeting, delivered much of that charm — but it also came with trade-offs, especially when low river levels limited how far the ship could actually sail. If you’re considering this itinerary, here’s exactly what to expect in our Loire Valley River Cruise Review: our real day-by-day schedule, honest pros and cons, and what this trip truly offers travelers.

Our Loire Valley River Cruise Review

Day 1 – Embark in Nantes

Nantes is in western France on the Loire River, not far from the Atlantic coast. It’s the former capital of Brittany – known for public art, creative engineering projects, and a strong Jules Verne vibe. It’s a really neat city!!

We boarded Sunday afternoon and settled in before dinner. The ship left Nantes in the evening and cruised overnight toward Saint-Nazaire. The gentle sail set a relaxed tone and gave us our first glimpses of the Loire’s wide, shallow landscape.

Day 2 – Saint-Nazaire + Submarine Base

We woke up docked right next to the Saint-Nazaire submarine base — an easy and memorable walk straight into history. We explored the massive WWII concrete structure with a guide and visited Escal’Atlantic, an immersive museum inside the old submarine pens. We couldn’t tour the Espadon submarine, which was disappointing, but the base itself remained a highlight.

As we ate lunch on board, we cruised back toward Nantes. This was one of the few sailing segments we experienced due to conditions on the river, and it turned out to be one of the prettiest. Sitting on the top deck and watching small French towns drift by felt peaceful and immersive.

We also passed several pieces of local contemporary art along the riverbanks:

• La Maison dans la Loire, a half-submerged house sculpture by Jean-Luc Courcoult, gave the scene an eerie, evocative edge.
• Les Anneaux, a series of colorful illuminated rings by Daniel Buren and Patrick Bouchain, framed the shoreline near Nantes like floating portals.

The art installations added a surprising, modern twist to the historical and natural landscape landscape.

Day 3 – Clisson, Wine Tasting + Afternoon in Nantes

Because of low water levels and ongoing construction along the Loire, the ship could not sail to the planned upriver excursions. Instead, we traveled by coach.

We drove to Clisson, a small town with an Italian feel thanks to its red roofs, stone bridges, and dramatic castle ruins. The town’s medieval fortress and covered market square made it an enjoyable place to wander and photograph. Many people on our tour loved the mix of history and charm packed into such a compact area.

After exploring Clisson, we continued to a wine tasting at Château de la Cassemichère. The tasting included several local wines and a short tour of the property, with time to enjoy the peaceful grounds. It was a relaxed and fun stop that felt very “Loire Valley.”

We returned to Nantes later in the afternoon and had free time to explore the city. We had a couple hours to shop, walk along the riverfront, and explore Nantes’ many public art pieces scattered throughout downtown before we boarded the boat for our evening meal.

Day 4 – Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau + Evening Cruise

This was our most travel-heavy day, and the excursions served as the centerpiece of the cruise.

We boarded the coach early for a 2.5-hour drive each way, first stopping at Château de Villandry. This château is famous for its Renaissance gardens — a sprawling network of geometric plantings, vegetable beds, and themed garden “rooms.” We had enough time to walk several sections and enjoy views from the terraces. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch in their restaurant!

After lunch, we continued to Château d’Azay-le-Rideau. Built on an island in the Indre River, it’s one of the most picturesque châteaux in the Loire. The river splits around the château, creating the reflective “moat-like” effect that makes it so photogenic and one of the most romantic châteaux in the Loire. The reflective water surrounding it makes it a photographer’s dream, and we had time to explore both the interior rooms and the landscaped park around the castle.

After a long return drive, we reboarded the ship for dinner and a peaceful evening cruise.

Day 5 – Breakfast + Disembarkation

We had breakfast on board and disembarked in Nantes.

Rooms on the Loire Princess

The MS Loire Princesse is a small, shallow-draft river ship designed specifically for the Loire. Each of its 48 cabins face outward toward the water, so every room gets natural light and river views.

Upper-deck rooms offer sliding glass doors that open to small private balconies with a table and two chairs. Lower-deck cabins feature large windows but no balconies. The rooms are compact but well laid out, with comfortable bedding, individual climate control, a small desk, a closet, and a modern bathroom with a shower.

The decor is simple and airy, and while the space isn’t large, it feels functional and calm. There is no onboard laundry service, so guests need to plan ahead. Overall, the cabins offer a comfortable place to rest between excursions without taking up unnecessary space on a ship built for shallow waters.

We did think there was a lack of outlets so if you’re going on this cruise and want to charge a lot of devices, make sure to bring along a power cord. We like this power cord becuase it’s long, has 3 extra outlets, a USB-C outlet, and 3 USB ports as well. You’ll also need a European plug adaptor. We like this adaptor because it also has extra ports for lots of charging.

Pros of a Loire Valley Cruise with CroisiEurope

Excellent food

Lunch and dinner were four courses, beautifully prepared, and rooted in French culinary traditions.

Calm and scenic river moments

Even though limited, the sailing segments were relaxing and memorable. The afternoon / evening cruise on Day 2 felt especially peaceful.

Strong value for an expensive region

The Loire Valley isn’t cheap. A river cruise bundles food, lodging, excursions, and transportation into one clear price.

Interesting mix of excursions

The itinerary combined WWII history, vineyards, medieval towns, famous gardens, and iconic châteaux — a surprisingly varied lineup for such a short cruise.

Cons of a Loire Valley Cruise with CroisiEurope

Reliance on buses instead of river sailing

Low river levels and construction meant more time on coaches and less time actually cruising. Day 4 involved at least five hours of round-trip driving.

Fixed menus with limited options

The food was very good, but there were no menu choices. Vegetarian or allergy-friendly meals were available but limited.

Minimal onboard amenities

Loire ships must be small and shallow, which means no spa, pool, hot tub, or fitness center. Cabins are comfortable but simple.

Quieter atmosphere geared to older travelers

The pace suits older guests. Teens or very active travelers may want more flexibility and richer evening entertainment options.

Cost of a CroisiEurope Loire Valley Cruise

Most four-night CroisiEurope River Cruise of the Loire Valley cost:

• $1,600–$2,000 per person
• Include: all meals, most drinks, excursions, and onboard programming

Not included: gratuities — 5–10 euros per person, per day, paid in cash at the end of the cruise and split evenly among the crew

For the Loire Valley, this pricing offers good value compared to booking hotels, renting a car, and paying separately for meals and entrance fees. And, most importantly, the Loire Princess is the only river boat cruising on the Loire! It was designed specially for this river.

Final Takeaway of my Loire Valley River Cruise Review

Our CroisiEurope river cruise delivered beautiful scenery, memorable meals, and easy access to some of France’s most iconic châteaux. It’s a peaceful, curated way to explore the region — ideal if you embrace slow travel and don’t mind long coach transfers when water levels are low.

Learn more about CroisiEurope’s cruise offerings here.

If you go in with realistic expectations, you’ll enjoy a relaxing journey through one of France’s most historic and scenic regions.

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