Europe’s largest river cruise operator, CroisiEurope’s new itinerary will feature its popular Loire cruise combined with a trip to the Châteaux of the Loire Valley and an overnight stay in Paris.

This seven-day itinerary starts with an overnight at a four-star hotel in Paris followed by a day trip taking in Château de Chambord, which, was built by King Francis I as a hunting lodge and blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. A tour of the castle and grounds is followed by lunch in a local restaurant and a visit to arguably the most-visited châteaux in the Loire Valley, the Château de Chenonceau – once home to aristocrats including Thomas Bohier, Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de’ Medici. Guests will then head to Nantes to board the MS Loire Princesse for the start of the cruise.

The six-day cruise is round trip from Nantes and visits Saint Nazaire, Ancenis, Angers and the Châteaux of the Loire Valley. Highlights include a full-day excursion through the Loire-Château d’Ussé, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau and the gardens at the Château de Villandry and even an optional helicopter ride over the Loire Valley. Guests can also try wine tasting in the cellar of the Château de Brissac and explore Nantes and its secret courtyards and passages.

The cruise takes place on CroisiEurope’s unique premium paddlewheel ship, the MS Loire Princesse, which, features 48 en-suite cabins, a lounge and bar with large picture windows and dance floor, patio, restaurant, sun deck and shop.

Twelve departures take place between April and October 2018 with cruise only prices starting from £1,166 per person, including the one-night/two-day extended trip to the Châteaux of the Loire Valley with overnight accommodation in Paris and dinner in a typical French brasserie and the six-day cruise with all on-board meals and drinks, some excursions and all port fees. For more information see www.croisieurope.co.uk