We stayed on the Loire Romance 3 years ago with our 3 teenage kids for a 4 night stay and loved it. Last year we came back for 4 nights (again on the Loire Romance) and again really enjoyed our stay. When we left, we promised each other we would come back again this year for a longer stay. This time we stayed on the Gloriette de Loire for a week. It was perfect.
Privacy, a lovely space and that VIEW!!!! The Loire river is quite low this Summer and the deck of the Gloriette makes it very easy to get in and out of the water, so on the warmest days we swam in the river right off the deck (the water was less than a metre deep right next to the boat). It is also very clear water and there are lots of fish, leisurely swimming past as you sip your drink on the deck. The big sliding door along the deck together with the sliding door in the bedroom allow for great air circulation, so the boat never felt too warm.
Armelle and Georges are responsive, gracious hosts and the boats are always impeccably clean on arrival. For a family with kids, the Loire Romance offers more privacy for parents as it offers 2 separate bedrooms. The Gloriette offers more open spaces, which is perfect for a couple or family/friends who don't mind spending most of their time on the boat in shared space. We certainly plan to come back again, these boats in this unbeatable location are a stroke of genius and I am almost reluctant to leave such a glowing review for fear that they'll be completely booked longer in advance, making it more difficult to plan our return :D
The location of Saumur, in between Angers and Tours, is ideal as well, with a seemingly endless list of chateaux and pretty villages and towns to visit, all within easy reach. By the tame token, it is lovely to get into a rhythm of sleeping in, sauntering into town for fresh bread, cheese and wine (the town also has an un-be-lie-va-ble delicatessen that sells fresh, ready-made, gourmet dishes that beat most restaurant meals yet cost less than half of what you'd spend eating out) and then returning to the boat for a leisurely afternoon on the water, followed by dinner (more wine) and an evening walk along the river. You will feel spoiled for choice here and your stay is sure to feel too short!
Thank you again Armelle and Georges, you make Saumur irresistable to us!