Up to -30% on return cruises and -55% on one-way cruises in March or April 2024- offer valid on a selection of boats for bookings before confirmed before April 2d.

For your first boating holiday

Our boats or houseboats are specially designed to be driven without any previous experience, any licence or special skills. A steering wheel (similar to a car steering wheel) and a monolever, which controls both forward and reverse and power. A minimum of 2 adults are required on board, or 3 adults on the Vision range. Some boats are equipped with bow and stern thrusters. The thruster is a small transverse propeller located under the boat that allows the boat to move sideways, making manoeuvring much easier.

 

A typical day on board a licence-free houseboat

 

With friends or family, during your river cruise on a licence-free boat there will be many activities: swimming, cycling or walking along the towpaths, discovering monuments and local producers' markets, water sports. In addition, the navigation, and especially the passage of locks, will allow each member to find his place within the crew. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to get to know other licence-free boaters on the pontoons or in the harbour. Indeed, you will usually be moored near other licence-free boats, so you will be able to share your experience, good tips and other useful addresses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information on a licence-free river cruise

Navigating on canals and waterways allows you to travel at a different pace, away from traffic jams and crowds, while taking full advantage of the landscape. River tourism and licence-free houseboat hire are developing well in France and more and more people are choosing to hire a licence-free boat to discover a region. This is especially true since hiring such a boat is accessible to everyone, as it does not require any specific experience or knowledge. And if you have decided to take a river cruise on a licence-free houseboat for the first time, rest assured that everything will go smoothly! You'll soon be won over by this type of navigation.

 

 

All you need to know about houseboat rental

Never driven a boat before? Or navigated a canal? Don't worry, it's relatively easy! The licence-free houseboats available for hire have been designed for people with no previous experience of navigation. They are therefore easy to steer. You can steer the boat by means of a tiller, which works in the same way as the steering wheel in a car. To move forward, backward or adjust the power, you simply use the single lever. Manoeuvring is also easy. And for the locks, our team will explain to you, during a training session before departure, how they work and how to pass through them successfully. If a lock keeper is present, he will be able to help you.

 

 

Our advice to make the most of your first cruise

By booking a cruise and a boat rental on our website, you will enjoy an unforgettable experience. For a weekend, several days or weeks, you navigate a licence-free houseboat in a magnificent setting and discover a region from a new angle. And if this is your first time, we advise you not to worry. Driving a houseboat is much easier than it looks, as one of our team members will explain on the day of departure. In your luggage, remember to take flat shoes with non-slip soles, gloves to protect your hands during some of the manoeuvres, rain gear (just in case, you're never safe from a shower) and everything you need to enjoy the sun. We also recommend that you take a travel bag rather than a suitcase, which will be more cumbersome. Finally, find out about the places to see and activities to do in the area you are going to. This will save you time during your stopovers!

 

Choose your cruise according to your desires

 

  • You are a lover of good food and wish to discover good wines
  • You have a family and would like activities for the children
  • You like history, old buildings and stone
  • You prefer sports holidays

 

 

We have defined for each region and waterway their assets, according to the pictograms below:

 

 For history lovers who want to see lots of historical monuments

 

 Discovering fauna and flora in the midst of an unspoilt countryside

 

 The vineyards where France’s most prestigious wines are produced

 

 Good food and remarkable local gastronomy

 

 Towpaths are the perfect place for all cycling enthusiasts to enjoy their favourite activity

 

 Fishing is the best way to relax amongst friends

 

 Swim in lakes or access the beach directly depending on the region

 

 Water sports are just a boat ride away

 

 

 

Licence-free is possible!

 

When you arrive at the base, you will complete the administrative formalities concerning your stay (deposit, options to be paid at the base, etc.). Then, our team will explain to you how your licence-free boat works (gas, heating, refrigerator, ...), and will give you a training session on the water (lock passage, manoeuvres, ...) by informing you about the necessary safety elements (signs, reading the river map, ...). Following this training, we will provide you with a boating card (this document is to be kept throughout your stay, as it serves as a permit), you will then have to load your luggage and cast off!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The locks

 

Depending on your destination you will have different types of locks on your route: manual locks, electric locks or round or automatic locks. Depending on the region, you may or may not have a lock keeper to advise you during the manoeuvres. During your introduction to the boat, our team will inform you about the operation and type of locks at each destination.

Preparing your departure

 

Schedules

  • Departure for a week or more: depending on the base, the departure days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday and the reception is between 2pm and 5pm. Boarding is from 3pm to 6pm. And the returns are at 9 am. 
  • For weekends: reception is on Friday from 2pm and 5pm depending on the base. Boarding is also between 3pm and 6pm. Returns can be made on Monday at 9am or Sunday evening at 5pm, depending on the base.
  • For the mini-weeks: the reception is on Monday between 2pm and 3pm. Embarkation is on Monday between 4pm and 6pm and return on Friday at 9am depending on the base.

 

Fuel

Except for very long stays (more than 2 weeks), there will be no need to top up diesel during your stay. In the case of very long stays, you will be told how to top up the fuel. All our boats are equipped with an hour meter which will be checked on departure and return of your cruise. The number of hours of use will then be invoiced to you according to the current rate. The average charge is between 30€ and 50€ per day depending on the size of the boat. On certain bases, an advance payment for fuel will be required.

 

Insurance

The fleet of CRIS'BOAT partners is fully insured. However, we hope that you will take care of the boat and its equipment. The insurance includes a deductible and as such, a deposit will be required in all cases at embarkation. The boat insurance does not cover the hirer and his crew, their liability towards third parties and their personal effects.

  • Bond redemption insurance: This insurance guarantees the reimbursement of the bond. It does not exempt you from paying the deposit on boarding and is covered by a collective contract (copy of general conditions on request).
  • Boat deposit: The amount varies according to the category of the boat. This deposit is paid on boarding, covers the excess and is returned on return if the boat and its equipment have not been damaged. Please note that this deposit must be paid in all cases, including in the case of a cruise plus insurance policy.
  • Cancellation plan: The cancellation insurance allows you to obtain a refund of the sums paid in certain cases of cancellation (see general rental conditions).

 

Bedding

There are no standards for the length and width of berths for boats. The average length is 1.90 m, but in some cases it can be as short as 1.83 m.

  • Double bunks: these are on average 1.40 m wide, but can be reduced to 1.15 m.
  • Single berths: these are on average 0.80 m wide, but in some cases can be reduced to 0.65 m.
  • Convertible to a double bed in the saloon.

 

Support

Wherever you are, in the event of difficulties, our teams of professionals will intervene as quickly as possible, 7 days a week.

 

Inventory

  • Armament : Moorings - Lifebuoy - Boat hook - Mooring pegs and mallet - Anchor + mooring - Fenders - 10 litre bucket - Water hose - Gangway.
  • Safety: First aid kit - Logbook - Life jackets - Fire extinguishers - Torch (batteries not included).
  • Household: Ashtray - Broom - Dustpan - Dish brush - Clothes hangers - Shovel/Blade - WC set - Clothes pegs - Basin - Dustbin - Mop.
  • Crockery: Orangeade glasses - Table glasses - Soup, dinner and dessert plates - Bowls or lunches - Coffee cups - Dishes - Salad bowl - Coffee pot + filter holder - Water jug - Cutlery and cutlery tray - Salad servers - Juicer - Teapot.
  • Linen: Bolsters or pillows - Bolster or pillow cases - Sheets - Blankets or duvets.
  • Heating: All boats are equipped with forced air heating (or diesel heating, in which case an hourly supplement will be payable at the end of the stay). This heating is a comfort element allowing to warm up the interior of the boat. However, it does not maintain a constant room temperature.
  • The kitchen: You will always have at your disposal a cooker, an oven (except Linssen), a refrigerator, a sink as well as: Plate coaster - Bread basket - Plastic boxes - Can opener - Bottle opener - Corkscrew - Vegetable knife - Carving knife - Ladle - Skimmer - Wooden spoon or spatula - Cutting board - Saucepans - Lids - Frying pan - Salad spinner - Pressure cooker or stewpot - Sieve.
  • Hot water: There is hot water on all our houseboats, in fact it is when the engine is running that hot water is produced. So when the hot water tank is empty, you only need to run the engine for a few hours to generate hot water again.
  • 220V equipment: Not all our boats are equipped with 220V, however all of them are equipped with a 12V cigar lighter type plug, so if you have a 12V charger you can recharge your mobile phone, and if you rent a 12V-220V transformer (150W max.) you can use them on board.

One-way cruises

On a round trip cruise, both directions of your itinerary will offer you a wide variety of landscapes from very different angles. However, we do offer one-way trips in some areas. These one-way trips are subject to unforeseen circumstances that may prevent them from running smoothly. For this reason, your one-way cruise and its direction (departure base and arrival base) are only confirmed 48 hours before departure. As a service, the one-way cruise generates additional costs.

 

Luggage

Let's start with the suitcase itself: ideally, you should use soft bags such as sports bags. On board a boat, space is limited and rigid suitcases are likely to clutter up your stay. We advise you to take light clothes (shorts, swimming costumes) and to bring some rainwear and warmer clothes, depending on the season. Tennis shoes are essential, city shoes should be avoided: they are not very popular with the boats and are dangerous. The boats are perfectly equipped, so you will realise that you will need very little in your suitcase.
The essentials: your camera, a torch, binoculars, a deck of cards and some reading material.

 

Provisions

  • Water: The water tank of your boat is filled before departure. With a capacity of 200 to 1400 litres, depending on the model, it will last for approximately 1 to 2 days. It is then necessary to fill up at the water points indicated on the river map provided on board.
  • Electricity: By running the engine 4 to 5 hours a day, you will produce the electricity necessary for 24 hours of use. However, electricity on board a boat should be used sparingly and cannot provide the same comfort as in a house. Often 12 volts, stored in batteries, which power some refrigerators, the electricity produced allows the use of light, ventilation, and sometimes, on 220 volt boats, air conditioning, dishwasher, etc. Appliances using 220 volts must be used during navigation or at the quayside, on a quayside socket, and cannot be used at the same time (example: air conditioning + dishwasher). In some regions, shore power outlets are rare, or, depending on the port, of too low an amperage to use onboard equipment. 220 volt sockets, when available, can only be used when connected to the shore. Refrigerator capacity is given as a guide and may vary by region.
  • Gas: A 13kg gas bottle is provided for the heater, hobs and oven. On some models it also supplies the fridges. Some Pénichettes® are equipped with oil heating, not gas. The additional gas bottle is not provided on board. This oil heating is invoiced in addition: rate variable according to the price of the fuel.

 

In case of flooding or drought

Some rivers or canals are subject to flooding or water shortages, mainly in spring and autumn. These events may force us to move your departure point and navigate you on another waterway. In all cases, the change of departure point or the replacement of the route does not lead to the cancellation or reimbursement of the stay.

 

Deposits

2 deposits will be required on boarding: one for the boat and one for the cleaning. The deposit for the boat must be paid in any case, including if you take out cruise plus insurance. The amount varies according to the category of the boat. It covers the excess and is returned to you on your return, if the boat and its equipment have not been damaged. The cleaning deposit will be returned to you once the boat is clean. It will not be required if you have opted for the cleaning option.

 

Supplements

The only compulsory supplement is the hourly navigation fee: at the start, the fuel will have been filled up. It will be invoiced to you on your return according to the number of engine hours you have sailed. This package is different according to the category of the boat and the number of hours navigated. It covers the consumption of oil, fuel, etc. You should expect to spend about 5 to 6 hours of navigation per day. The price of this package changes with the price of fuel. On some bases, you can take the freedom pack, which includes the navigation package.

 

Air conditioning

All boats are equipped with a forced-air heater. This heater is a comfort element that warms the interior of the boat. However, it does not maintain a constant room temperature. It is however limited to the saloon and is used to cool the atmosphere by a few degrees, 2 or 3 maximum, and not to maintain a constant temperature.

 

The bow thruster

Some boats on some bases are equipped with a bow thruster. This is a propeller placed in the bow of the boat which allows the bow of the vessel to be steered
the bow of the vessel laterally. This thruster greatly facilitates manoeuvres. However, its use is delicate, especially in canals where there is a significant risk of silt and stones being sucked up along the banks. In the event of a breakdown during the cruise, it is often impossible to repair. In this case, the trip will end without a bow thruster. If the customer requires a repair during the cruise, this will be charged to the customer. Due to the vagaries of navigation, it is possible that the boat with a bow thruster that you have booked is not available on the day of departure.

 

Pets

Pets are welcome on board. A fee of 35 € to 50 € will be charged at the time of boarding on some bases, on others there is no extra charge.

 

Fishing

You can fish in the canals and rivers if you buy a permit in advance, which can be purchased in fishing shops or on the internet (cost: about €30 for 15 days).

 

The price of your rental includes

  • The boat rental
  • Fittings: equipment necessary for navigation
  • Crockery: in sufficient quantity for the number of passengers on board
  • Bedding*: sheets, blankets or duvets, pillows and pillow cases
  • Boat insurance
  • Navigation instruction and delivery of the yacht's card
  • Breakdown assistance available 7/7 during the base's opening hours
  • The navigation toll
  • A 13 kg gas bottle


* Beds made up on certain boats in the 5 star range

 

The price of your rental does not include

  • Cancellation insurance
  • Navigation guide
  • One-way supplement
  • Deposit redemption insurance
  • Housekeeping package
  • Cleaning kits, kitchen linen, towels**.
  • Deposit of 780 € to 3 250 €, depending on the boat
  • The navigation package. This includes all consumables used during your stay (oil, diesel, gas, etc.). Depending on the category of the boat, the package varies from 5.19 € to 13.50 € per hour of navigation.

** Included on some boats

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