Frequently Asked Questions

The boat has a capacity of 64 passengers which is reduced to 40 for meals.

The Saumur Loire boat is suitable for navigation on this river. It can navigate in only 50 centimeters of water. It has a flat bottom which allows it to squeeze between the sandbanks. Our boat can therefore navigate 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 boat struggles a bit to find its way; it's the price to pay for navigating a wild river. And that's what makes it so charming.

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. 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.

All services served on board are included in the ticket price. Aside from the tickets themselves, there are no other sales 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 quay, next to the Town Hall.

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.

There are no toilets on board. Passengers are advised to make the necessary arrangements beforehand. Please inform the other passengers in your group or your bus driver so they can plan accordingly. There is only one public toilet on the dock. For longer, special sailing trips, cruises will not exceed two hours without a shore break.

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.

Yes, there is space for strollers on board. They can be folded and placed in 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.

It is possible to connect on board to 200 Volts with a power limited to 250 Watts.

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.

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.

• Open the Loire 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 the Saumur Loire. Their joy is often palpable and delights the crew.

The boat's construction and the layout of the dock, with its few steps, could pose a challenge for 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.

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.