Slow travel: the license-free houseboat is the ideal way to travel differently
No licence, no experience, and completely safe
Getting away from it all without going far
We often think that to get away from it all, you have to go far away. But what if we told you that the real luxury today is to slow down? Sailing aboard a licence-free houseboat means choosing to take your time, to enjoy the silence and the gentle flow of water. In short, a true form of slow travel: gentle, accessible and deeply human.
River tourism, a different way of travelling
Unlike holidays with airport timetables and queues, a river cruise is stress-free. You choose your own itinerary, sail at your own pace and stop wherever you like. It's a voyage of freedom, where every stop becomes an encounter, every bend a landscape.
Local immersion, real and slow
Slow travel isn't just about taking your time. It's also about experiencing a region, meeting the people who live there, stopping off at a market, chatting with a winegrower, sleeping on the edge of an unknown little village. A licence-free houseboat holiday makes all this possible. You're not just a tourist: you become a passenger in the landscape.
Why is it becoming so popular?
- You don't need a licence: houseboat hire is quick, easy and supervised.
- Accessible to everyone: families, couples or friends, from 2 to 12 people!
- Less impact: avoid flying, consume locally, get back in touch with what's essential
- Outdoor living: on a license-free houseboat, you can enjoy the great outdoors, swimming, picnics and aperitifs by the canal.
- Rediscover France: river tourism allows you to see regions differently, far from the main roads and mass tourism.
3 ideal destinations for a slow river cruise
Rent a license-free houseboat on the Canal du Midi
- You'll come across stone bridges, locks decorated with flowers and farmers' markets full of local flavours.
- The atmosphere is Mediterranean and friendly, with sunny stops perfect for a picnic in the shade of the plane trees.
- Ideal for a first trip on a license-free houseboat, with few currents and well-equipped stops.
Take a license-free houseboat cruise in Burgundy
- You can moor near wine cellars and visit villages such as Châtillon-sur-Loire, Briare and Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses.
- The markets are full of distinctive cheeses, traditional breads and famous wines... perfect for savouring on board.
- The countryside is calm and lush, perfect for bike rides or naps on the quayside.
Enjoy licence-free houseboat rental in Brittany
- The Nantes-Brest canal offers shady cruising, ideal even in summer.
- Stop off to visit the photo festival at La Gacilly, meet potters or glass-blowers.
- And what about the food? Pancakes, cider, seafood... it's all there for a trip that's as tasty as it is peaceful.
So, are you convinced by slow travel on a license-free houseboat?
Slow travel isn't just a way of travelling. It's a different way of life! And the good news is that you can book your license-free houseboat now and discover all our river destinations!
"A moment out of time" That's how David C. summed up his Migennes return cruise on 12 April 2025.
👉 Discover other traveller testimonials on our Customer Reviews page.