This morning, we have a tour of Nevers. Our visit will begin with the Espace Bernadette Soubirous, the final resting place of the simple country girl from Lourdes who claimed to have seen the Virgin 18 times. We'll then continue to the city center where we'll be able to see Ducal Palace, considered the first of the Loire's castles. Built on the hill, the palace overlooks the center of the old town, the Republic Square and a large park. We'll stroll through the remarkably preserved old quarter, with its half-timbered houses and picturesque streets, before reaching the Nevers Cathedral, dedicated to Saints Quriaqos and Julietta, a national monument of France. We'll have a brief visit to the pottery quarter before ending our tour with a tasting of local products. We'll spend the afternoon cruising towards Marseilles-lès-Aubigny. Take advantage of this moment to ride along a portion of the EuroVélo 6, the bike route traveling from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea. The evening is free to do as you please.

We'll leave by coach for the visit to the Fontmorigny Abbey, a privately-owned French historical monument. Now one of the main cultural sites in the area, it is testimony to over 8 centuries of French religious heritage. The contemporary stain-glass windows are not to be missed. We'll continue on to visit Apremont-sur-Allier and its floral garden. Classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, this small medieval jewel on the bank of the Allier is an absolute must-see. The village offers a stunning point of view of the castle that overlooks it, also a nice stroll along the Allier river.

Tour La Charité-sur-Loire this morning followed by a tasting of handmade caramel and chocolate sweets. Our ship will cruise to Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre. While the ship cruises, feel free to walk along the canal or use the bikes available on board (approximately .6 miles/1 km).

We'll leave Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre for the picturesque town of Pouilly-sur-Loire, where we'll visit the Tour de Pouilly-Fumé: a wine-tourism center. Overlooking the river, the vineyard enjoys a microclimate and topography particularly well-suited to Sauvignon grapes. This ideal combination of factors has provided the famous Pouilly Fumé wine with remarkably distinctive characteristics worthy of its international repute. This oenotourism establishment aims to promote the vineyards and the know-how of the winegrowers in a modern and multi-sensory way by highlighting the excellence of the region. We'll visit the vineyard and stop in a cellar for a tasting.

Afterwards, we'll return on board in Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre.

We'll set off for an excursion to Sancerre and a goat farm. Set in the historic Berry region, Sancerre overlooks the gorgeous Loire Valley. We'll discover this beautiful medieval city by following the Fil d'Ariane: a red line painted on the streets taking you past the old wine-making neighborhoods, bakeries, fascinating buildings, and lovely art galleries.

The Fief Tower (significant stairs to climb) is the only remaining tower of the 14th-century medieval castle. Afterwards, we'll visit a goat farm and have a tasting of its trademark cheeses and the local Sancerre wine. The family on the farm is raising approximately 200 goats and 60 cows and will be happy to share their cheese-making secrets with you. We'll spend the afternoon cruising to Briare, cruising through the Briare Aqueduct, whose 14 masonry supports were built by the Eiffel Company. Until recently, it was the longest navigable aqueduct in the world. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Enjoy one last  breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Then, transfer to Paris for your onward journey.