Discover the canals of France by barge!
In France, in the four corners of the country, there are canals open to navigation. And some of them can be used by boaters, especially on board a boat without a licence. Crossing beautiful landscapes, they are ideal for discovering a region from a different perspective. On the water, the perspective and the panorama are not the same as on land. On board a barge, you can admire the monuments, the nature and the charm of the towns and villages you pass through. Moreover, the rental of this type of boat is accessible to all persons aged 18 and over as it does not require a licence. Moreover, when you contact our team for your reservation, you will benefit from a varied choice of small barges that can accommodate from 2 to 12 people. Easy to pilot and manoeuvre, they are perfect for adventure on the canals of France!
Navigate without a licence on board a small barge
Renting a houseboat doesn't require a licence or any sailing experience. And that's one of its advantages. So even if you've never set foot on a boat before, you can hire one. All you have to do is follow the instructions of our team, which we give you before departure during a training session. Then, you just have to let yourself be guided and respect the river signs. Moreover, in France, many canals are suitable for the navigation of our rental barges. Brittany, Alsace, Lorraine, Burgundy, Charente, Camargue... so many destinations await you for your river cruise! And the icing on the cake, they are suitable for short stays (for a weekend for example) as well as for longer trips (one or two weeks).
Our top 5 most beautiful French canals for a cruise
On our site, we propose several regions where it is possible to sail on board a rental barge. Whatever your desires and your departure address, you will find the right destination for your cruise!
To help you make your choice, we have selected 5 of the most beautiful canals in France (in fact, they are all exceptional but we are aware that this does not make the choice any easier, hence this top 5!) :
- The first destination we recommend is the Charente, with stops in Cognac and Angoulême. This waterway is less well known than others and is therefore less used. If you want a quiet stay, this is perfect!
- The second canal we really like is the Canal Latéral à la Garonne and the Baïse, with gourmet and cultural stops in Agen, Moissac and Montauban.
The third region to visit by rental barge is Burgundy, which has the largest network of waterways in France. Depending on your departure base, you can take advantage of your cruise to visit the vineyards of Sancerre, Auxerre, Nemours, but also taste the local gastronomy. - The fourth canal is full of charming villages and sites to visit: the Brittany canal, where you sail from Nantes to Brest, or on the Vilaine and Ile et Rance canals.
- Finally, our fifth favourite is the Lot, with stops in Caillac, Cahors and Bouziès.
So, now that you know our top 5 canals in France, it's up to you to choose!