Enjoy a slower pace of life as you explore the many towns and villages along the way. The canal has 53 locks and is 193km long, crossing the river Agen by way of a beautiful aqueduct. France canal holidays are the perfect way to discover the hidden treasures of the waterways. A beautiful canal full of charm, the Canal du Nivernais has excellent restaurants serving regional cuisine and fine wine. Boat holiday specialist in France since 1997. Hiring and driving your own cruising boat is an ideal way to explore and experience the pleasures and treasures that the French waterways have to offer. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, but it’s not quite like a car. Experience nine boating regions from a … Burgundy, in France’s heartland, is one of the most popular cruising areas and is often referred to as the home of hotel barge holiday. At an average leisurely speed of 5 kilometres an hour, plus the days spent exploring all the fascinating places along the way and in extended stays in port, that means there’s actually many years of happy wandering waiting for you to explore and enjoy! Camargue and blue Mediterranean. Some boats also have a bow and stern thruster to assist movement sideways. A choice of cruising routes along the River Baise and the Canal de Garonne. Closest airports: Paris-Orly, Nantes. A UNESCO world heritage site, this is the oldest major operating canal system in the world, completed in 1681. Independent, impartial and enthusiastic, we have personally visited and know every fleet and many of their boats, published here. Bellegarde (Canal du Rhone a Sete). Food lovers will love the Meditarranean style cuisine and local products. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What’s included in the price of hiring the boat? Closest airports: Beziers, Carcassonne, Montpellier, Toulouse, Port Lauragais (Canal du Midi). Comprehensive detailed navigational information, km by km, Sete west to Toulouse. Boats (within size limits) can pass through from the English Channel to the Med. The major rivers, however, are out of bounds – the Seine (including Paris), the Rhine, Rhone and the Gironde – because they are too busy with commercial traffic or have strong currents or tides. TOP FIVE MOST POPULAR BOATING HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE Everybody has heard of the Canal du Midi, after all it is France’s most famous canal! The concentrated richness of scenery, history, culture, leisure and pleasure is such that even just a few weeks spent voyaging the canals and rivers of one small part of France is an experience you’ll never forget. There are over a hundred hire boat bases throughout France that each keep a (limited) number of differently-sized boats for couples, families and groups. France Luxury Hotel Barge Cruises. The waterways in Brittany are devoted entiely to pleasure boating. Attractions include the 16th Century Castle of King Henri IV in Nerac and the 12th Century Abbey and Cloister in Moissac. Canal and river boat holidays in Europe: readers’ travel tips Canal plus … a boat moored up on the tranquil Burgundy Canal, eastern France. The locks are automatic in this region. A canal cruise in France means lots of relaxation as your self-drive boat glides slowly along, and plenty of expeditions on dry land too, maybe on a bike along the towpaths and trails – France has lots of these – or a gourmet break or a visit to a major tourist site. Yes, but it’s not quite like a car. We offer luxury hotel barge cruises in the main regions of France. view our video and Grez-Neuville (L'Oudon). Your search ends here. Closest airport: Paris airports, Brienon (Canal de Bourgogne). Your Expert Hotel Barge Concierge. Cruising in France offers the largest river network in Europe with over 100 canals and rivers creating around 800km of navigable waterways making it the ideal destination for canal boat holidays. Closest airports: Paris airports, Vermenton (Canal du Nivernais). Go Your Own Way – Cruise the canals driving your own hire boat, Sit Back and Relax – captain and crew will treat you like royalty, Watch France Glide Past – close-up, from the comfort of your cabin. A visit to Carcassonne and Fonseranes locks is a must for your French canal boat holidays. Up to 20% discounts for private charter or book by cabin luxury cruises, Save 5% to 50% per week on boats and destinations throughout France, Up to 20% off high-quality fleet cruises on the major rivers of France. Embark one of our 6 luxury barges for a cruise on France’s Canals in 2021. Price Band = whole boat, per week Outline guidance only – hire prices vary by boat size, season and location. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Almost anywhere! Hiring and driving your own cruising boat is an ideal way to explore and experience the pleasures and treasures that the French waterways have to offer. The locks are closed on 1st May. Don’t worry, instruction is given before you set off. Franche-Comte region is located between Alsace, Burundy and Switzerland. France Boating Holidays and River Cruises. The information published here results from more than ten years personal experience cruising the waterways from north to south and east to west. No!, and you will be given whatever guidance you need before you set out – there are simple controls, rather like driving a car, and basic waterways ‘rules of the road’. Paris and the Canal Saint-Martin, the canals of Burgundy, the canals of Alsace, Provence and Camargue... embark … We have explored the rivers and canals of France on our own boat since 2003, logging up over 10,000km along most waterways, in most regions, at all times of year. Generally, lock keepers do not work on Bank Holidays and therefore depending on the region, the locks may be closed on these days. Book today. The special South-West, Bordeaux, gastronomy and grapes. Closest airports: Dijon, Bale. Another popular destination for a France barge holiday is the sun-drenched Canal du Midi in the South of France. To comply with Government restrictions we are taking new boating holiday reservations for boat hire commencing from 4th July 2020 onwards. Closest airports: Nantes, Rennes, Sucé sur Erdre (L'Erdre). Take time to discover regional delicacies and fine wine whilst on your boating holiday in France. A visit to Carcassonne and Fonseranes locks is a must for your French canal boat holidays. Rogny (Canal de Briare). Closest airport: Strasbourg, Metz Nancy. Hotel Boat Holidays in France. Local specialities for food lovers include 'mouclade' oysters, melon, meats, snails and cheese. Closest airports: Bordeaux-Mérignac, Toulouse-Blagnac. The main sites in Auxerre include the Cathedral of St. Ãtienne and the Abbey of Saint-Germain. Things to bring on your French canal cruise holidays Gloves: The water in the canals can be very dirty and the ropes can be rough. 80+ waterways – Key facts, km by km details, maps, navigation guides and PDF downloads. Northern France. Essential navigation guides, maps and books from publishers Breil, Fluviacarte and Imray. An interactive map of the UK inland waterways is available here. Perfect for ‘absolute beginners’ – no qualifications required! Some of these moorings are free, others are chargeable. Do you need previous experience or qualifications? Cruiser Boat Holidays in France. Dating back to the 19th Century, the Canal de Garonne starts at Castets-en-Dorthe and meets the Canal du Midi at Toulouse. St Florentin (Canal de Bourgogne). The Canal du Midi offers a wonderful journey through the sun-drenched vineyards and pretty villages of the Languedoc – France’s most prolific wine producing region. from £900 per week, Great value boats, from all the fleets And, it’s no [...] The locks are open all season. Closest airports: Strasbourg, Harskirchen (Canal de la Sarre). With over 20 years of expertise in unique France travel packages, we offer you the best deals in barge cruises in France.We know, when you’re planning a France travel itinerary, you would want to take the pace of time in your hands. A smaller fleet with excellent boats above: the barge-style Euroclassic, The biggest fleet, with a wide range of sizes and styles of boat, Distinctive boats (incl. Closest airports: Paris-Orly, Plagny (Canal lateral a la Loire). The bands do not represent accurate low or high season rates. Dont miss La Charite sur Loire, a 'City of Books' with craftsmen, calligaphers and illuminations. Bank Holiday dates: 1st May, 14th July and 1st November. We have all lived and worked on the inland waterways of France for many years and can offer the friendly, informed, personal advice that you need to choose the perfect boating holiday. What are self-drive boating holidays like? A full list of extras will be supplied with your booking form, so you can purchase additional items such as cleaning kit, bar-b-cue and bikes to carry on board. World heritage. The Canal du Midi offers a wonderful journey through the sun-drenched vineyards and pretty villages of the Languedoc – France’s most prolific wine producing region. Closest airports: Paris-Orly, Nantes Atlantique, Sablé sur Sarthe (La Sarthe). Hire boat bases are usually one-week’s cruise apart so it is often possible to start at base A and leave your boat a week later at base B. Hire-boat companies may offer to return you to your car after your cruise, or bring your car to you. In my experience, operating a boat at high speed is a recipe for disaster. Locks: Passage through locks and bridges is free. The stunning region around France’s oldest canal, the Canal de Briare, is known for its châteaux, idyllic villages and, of course, its local Sancerre wines. Many of the locks are open during the day (please check opening hours) but close at lunchtime. Glénac (Canal de Nantes a Brest). Attractions include the 16th Century Castle of King Henri IV in Nerac and the 12th Century Abbey and Cloister in Moissac. Pont-Canal d’Agen, at 580metres, is the second-longest canal-bridge in France, built entirely of cut stone and supported by 23 arches. There are over a hundred hire boat bases throughout France that each keep a (limited) number of differently-sized boats for couples, families and groups. Travel by boat on the canals is s-l-o-w and speeding destroys not only your peaceful holiday but the canal banks too. The waterways are peaceful and set between hills and forests. The interiors of this wonderful vessel echo the décor and ambience of a French manor … Up to 12 friends can share a fantastic holiday. There are purpose built moorings in many towns and villages. Fishing: You'll need to purchase a licence to fish. The atmosphere of the South, with its colourful markets, the way of life in the South West and its hideaway villages, the Celtic atmosphere of Brittany, with its … All our hire bases have English speakers and you'll receive a warm welcome and full tuition on arrival. You'll find locally grown products at weekly street markets in many villages and towns. It will also have a fully fitted kitchen – the luxury boats are modern and very high-spec – and all bedding required. Here you'll have opportunties to sample great seafood, crepes and traditional cider. The region is great for fishing where you may be lucky to catch pike, carp, catfish and bream. Let's navigate in England, Belgium, Ireland, The Netherlands, on the Canal du midi and discover the Brittany, Burgundy, river Lot, Camargue. Steering may require a few complete turns of the wheel in order to head in the direction you want and some boats have a joy stick. France Afloat is unique in being both a family business and actually being based in France. Explore the best French Canals through Barge Cruises. Hire boats come in different sizes, to suit a couple, a family or you and your friends, and your holiday can be arranged from start to finish by any of the reputable companies to be found here. Such a variety of places and scenes, such a variety of different waterways to explore and people to make friends with. YOUR UNIQUELY PRIVATE VIEW OF HIDDEN FRANCE Cruise the Nivernais and Burgundy Canals on board Le Papillon An exploration of Burgundy’s hidden backwaters, with a choice of two classic itineraries, each lasting 6 days, spent immersing yourself in gourmet wine and food, against the backdrop of some of the most glorious countryside in Europe. 250 boat models, 12 countries, 28 Boating regions and 115 departure bases. The Canal de Bourgogne connects the Seine Valley at Laroche with the Saône Valley at St-Jean-de-Losne, covering a total distance of 242 km. Closest airports: Toulouse-Blagnac, Carassonne-Salvaza, Capestang (Canal du Midi). For parents, children – and grandparents! The canal has lots of straight sections that pass through pretty countryside as well as plenty of historic towns and villages. BOATING HOLIDAY CRUISING ON THE FRENCH CANALS. 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