boat cruises on the Loire

I have been through several guidebooks on France and think it would be a terrific experience to see the Loire and the various chateaux and general scenery by water. I have been able to to find multi-day, high end luxury cruises, but as a budget traveller I%26#39;d really just like to find no frills boat tours that might stop at various highlights along the way.

Does such a service exist?

Please help!!

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The Loire River, which passes by such châteaux as Amboise, Blois, and Chaumont, is not navigable. Yes, in spite of Alain Souchon%26#39;s 1980 hit %26quot;Rame%26quot; in which he sings about passing the above châteaux as he rows down the Loire. Its waters are too shallow for a vessel of any size.

There are no commercial operators along this portion of the Loire. If you have read about commercial barges passing by a château, perhaps you are referring to the Nymphea which passes Château Chenonceau on the Cher River:

http://www.leboat.com/hotel_barges/nymphea

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I agree with Sarastro. There are no accomodation type cruises on the Loire. The French will tell you very proudly that the Loire is the only natural river in Europe. Although there may be a bit of French exaggeration in that statement, what they mean is that the Loire is not dredged, sandbanks are allowed to build up, and no attempt is made to make it navigatable. Near Tours there are 30 minute trips on the Loire in a special shallow draught boat in summer, but that%26#39;s about it.

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My mother has travelled on the Nymphea Barge, she found it through the local Loire Tourist board,they put her in touch with the owner.

they say Valencay Villandry and Chambord and Chenonceau plus quite a few other chateaux that I can%26#39;t remember offhand, I have her postcard of an interesting underground troglodyte house visit on my mantlepiece that she says I will have to see one day!

It was as expensive as staying in a 2 star hotel , but she had a private minibus and guide every day and some nice food and a different view from her window every morning.

The tourist board site is www.coeur-val-de-loire.com

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