Nymphea in Brittany, France

Day 1: Sunday
REDON
Afternoon
Meet at Rennes TGV station at 16.30 for transfer to Nymphea, moored at Redon, the crossroads of the Breton waterways, for champagne & welcome aboard Redon stands at the junction of the River Vilaine (which runs from St. Malo in the North to Arzal on the south coast of Brittany) and the Nantes a Brest canal which runs East-West. It is an important historical town and has many riches, particularly in the old town. The Saint-Saveur Abbey founded by the monk Conwoin in 832 brought it cultural glory and riches. Redon also hosts the charming musée de la Batellerie retelling the history of barging and commerce on the waterway that we are about to discover. Dinner on board

Day 2: Monday
REDON TO LA GACILLY
We leave Redon, following the course of the River Oust past l’ile aux Pies (Magpie island) where it has eroded a steep sided valley with impressive cliffs dropping straight down to the waterway. We then head up the river Aff to its navigable head, the dynamic little Cité of La Gacilly teeming with craft and artisans workshops in the high street, leading to its Botanic gardens, many products from which can be found in the Yves Rocher cosmetics, based here. It is also home to the largest outdoor photography festival exhibition in France.
Dinner on board

Day 3: Tuesday
LA GACILLY TO ST.MARTIN SUR OUST
We wind our way back down the Aff to rejoin the Canal Nantes à Brest and after three locks we moor after lunch in the heart of the village of St.Martin. A short stroll from the mooring leads us to the Cidrerie Clos de la Ruaudaie, whose artisans during our tasting describe how they produce ciders and “pure juice” apple juice in respect of their ‘terroir’ and in the Breton gastronomic tradition. Dinner on board

Day 4: Wednesday
SAINT MARTIN SUR OUST TO MALESTROIT
A morning cruise with several locks leads us to Malestroit, with its many gothic and Renaissance dwellings. After a wander through the many carved half-timbered houses, we will drive to the magnificently situated town of Rochefort en Terre, its regular appearance as one of France’s most beautiful villages has drawn numerous artisans and their crafts to its centre, decorated with a profusion of flowers.

Dinner is taken in the nearby village of Guer, at Maison Tiegezh, where Baptiste Denieul showcases the best La Bretagne has to offer in his Michelin starred establishment.

Day 5: Thursday
MALESTROIT TO MONTERTELOT
Many beautiful villages on todays cruise, and we moor next to the charming little church of St.Laur, with its fountain- a short drive takes us to visit the standing stones, or Menhirs de Monteneuf, 42 blocks of purple schiste from the neolithic era. Here we discover how these enormous blocks were moved and erected, and a rebuilt dwelling of the original craftsmen with their tools is also on display. Dinner on board

Day 6: Friday
MONTERTELOT TO JOSSELIN
On the banks of the Oust, Josselin is the heart of the region. The history of the town is closely linked to that of its castle where we are moored under its towering walls. In flamboyant Gothic style, it provides an interesting testimony to feudal and Renaissance architecture. Founded in the early 11th century, it is still today lived in by the descendants of the founders, the Rohan family. We will take the time to stroll around its gardens designed by Achille Duchesne, landscape gardener, who also worked at Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Captain’s Farewell Dinner onboard

Day 7: Saturday
JOSSELIN
Morning
Breakfast on board

Guests transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Redon TGV Station

On alternate weeks, the cruise will be in the reverse direction.
**other itineraries available for private Charter bookings.