Frequently Asked Questions

Access and location

Boat and navigation

• What is the capacity of the boats?

  The Saumur Loire boat has a capacity of 64 passengers, reduced to 40 for meals. The La Tzigane boat has a capacity of 12 passengers.

• Can boats navigate during periods of low water?

  The Saumur Loire and La Tzigane boats are perfectly suited for navigating this river. They can operate in water as shallow as 50 centimeters. Their flat bottom allows them to easily maneuver between sandbanks, enabling them to navigate even during periods of low water.

   

  Even in the midst of a drought, at least 100 cubic meters of water flow per second in the Loire. The captain simply has to find this flow. In 15 years of operation, the company has always continued to navigate during the summer. Sometimes the boats have a little trouble finding their way; it's the price to pay for navigating a wild river. And that's what makes it so charming.

• Do boats sail when it rains?

  Cruising on the Loire is an activity in harmony with nature. Rain is our friend, for it shapes our course. We are committed to navigating in all weather and never disappointing our passengers. On the Saumur Loire, passengers are sheltered by a large canvas awning on the roof. Depending on the amount of rain, the crew lowers translucent tarpaulins on the sides. It's rare for a downpour to last the entire cruise. Rain forecasts don't always materialize. Photographers know how to capture the incredible light that appears even on overcast days. The Loire is beautiful in all weather.

• Are there any sales on board?

  All services served on board are included in the ticket price. Aside from the tickets themselves, there are no other items for sale on board. Binoculars are available free of charge. Special services for groups are described in the quote. You can find the products enjoyed on board and souvenirs in our shop at the Docks de la Loire, 5 rue Bonnemère, 60 meters from the dock, next to the Town Hall.

• Is smoking allowed on board?

  Smoking and vaping are prohibited on board to allow everyone to breathe in the fresh river air. There is one exception: only the engine is permitted to run on fumes to bring everyone safely back to port.

Comfort and accessibility

• Are there toilets on board?

  There are no toilets on board. Passengers are advised to make the necessary arrangements beforehand. You should inform the other passengers in your group or your bus driver so they can plan accordingly. There is a public toilet on the dock and another within the Town Hall grounds. For longer, special cruises, the duration will not exceed two hours without a stop on land.

• Are the boats covered, enclosed?

  The Saumur Loire boat is open but has a roof to protect passengers from rain and sun. It also has retractable transparent canopies for use in bad weather. The La Tzigane boat is covered with a canvas awning for sun protection.

  Discover the Saumur Loire

  The brisk wind may surprise passengers for the first 10 minutes, after which their bodies will adjust. However, while underway, the crew can provide blankets for added comfort. As this is an outdoor activity, it is recommended, even in summer, to bring warm or rain gear.

   

  Passengers are seated on benches and cushions can be made available to better accommodate sensitive individuals.

   

  There are always bottles of water on board. During heat waves, water is served upon boarding if needed.

• Can we bring bicycles on board?

  Except in exceptional circumstances (valuable bicycle, large number of empty spaces, one-way trip), bicycles remain locked to their designated spots on the platform. If no space is available, panniers can be taken on board.

• Are the boats accessible to strollers?

  On the Saumur Loire, there is space for strollers on board. They can be folded up and placed at the rear by the crew. There are also two spaces where they can remain open and occupied by the child or baby, next to their parents.

   

  On La Tzigane, it is possible to store folding strollers at the front of the boat.

• Is it possible to plug in a bottle warmer on board?

  On the Saumur Loire, it is possible to connect to 200 Volts on board with a power limit of 250 Watts. There is no connection for a bottle warmer on board the Tzigane.

• Are dogs allowed on boats?

  Dogs that are not dangerous to other passengers are allowed on a leash free of charge on the boats.

• Are the boats accessible to people with reduced mobility?

  Steps are present on the boarding bridge and at the entrance of the boat. Access can however be done with the help of the crew.

• Are the boats accessible to people with disabilities?

  The company is pragmatically adapting to the weaknesses of existing facilities.

  While waiting for a future boat that will be more easily accessible, the Company makes it a point of honour that disabilities are not an obstacle to coming to discover the Loire, alone, in a group or with family.

• Are the boats accessible to everyone?

  The company makes every effort to ensure that the onboard experience delights all passengers, whether French or foreign, young or old, able-bodied or disabled. Regardless of the nature of the disability, a boat trip on the Loire with the Saumur Loire remains a truly enchanting experience.

• Are the boats accessible to people with hearing impairments?

  Thanks to the excellent acoustics on board the boat, provided by a high-quality sound system, people with hearing impairments can fully enjoy the guide's lively commentary. A written brochure is also available. As for the scenery, which is the main attraction of the cruise, it remains untouched.

• Are the boats accessible to visually impaired people?

  Regularly, in partnership with the Valentin Haüy Association, the cruises welcome visually impaired passengers on board. Notified in advance, the guide provides a more descriptive commentary. Each time, the crew is surprised to see how well visually impaired people manage to "see" the scenery through their other senses: the sounds of the water and the engine, the cries of birds, vibrations, the slightest movements of the boat's trim, the reactions of other passengers, the breeze on their skin, and even taste, with a tasting of Saumur brut sparkling wine halfway through the cruise.

• Are the boats accessible to people with mental disabilities?

  Many organizations that support people with mental disabilities trust us and often come in small groups to spend a memorable time on a cruise aboard our boats. Their joy is often palpable and delights the crew.

• Are the boats accessible to people with motor disabilities?

  The construction of the boats and the configuration of the pontoon, with its few steps, could be an obstacle to accommodating people with reduced mobility. However, the crew makes it a point of honor to do everything possible to facilitate their boarding, carrying a non-motorized wheelchair and then placing it either among the passengers or folded up at the rear of the boat.

• Are the boats accessible to people with disabilities, in specific cases?

  Special cases are reviewed with caregivers. Please don't hesitate to contact us beforehand so we can provide a customized service, such as adapting the commentary, adding staff to facilitate boarding and disembarking, or reserving the most suitable seats, for example, near a loudspeaker. Finding solutions is part of our job.