Renting a houseboat without a licence
CrisBoat offers over 40 models of unlicensed houseboats for hire
In reality, they are not barges, but ‘Coches de plaisance’. This expression means that the boat has a maximum length of 14.99 m and can accommodate from 2 to 12 people, and can only be operated on canals or canalised rivers.
The team of your departure base provides training to enable the hirer to navigate without a licence. It is therefore impossible to cruise at sea with this type of boat.
In Brittany, near Dinan or Arzal, on the Charente, near Rochefort or in the Camargue, you'll come across sea-going boats, but you won't be allowed access to the sea. In order to make the difference clear, the word ‘péniche’ (barge) has been popularised as it represents a boat that can only sail on inland waters.
All the barges we offer for hire come from French shipyards.
There are 3 types of houseboats :
Riverboats
House-boats
Riverboats
The riverboats are mostly modern and represent the latest barges to come out of the boatyards.
The Sedan, Confort and Estivale fleets come from the Nicols shipyard near Cholet.
Sedans have a large terrace at the rear - with access to the lounge through a large bay window - and at least 2 toilets and 2 steering positions. These barges have one or two ‘coffin’ cabins, because their headroom is very limited (one metre). These cabins are more suitable for children or teenagers than adults.
These boats are ideal for family cruises, especially with very young children, as the outside space at the stern is very well protected. The most representative models in this fleet are the Sedan 1000 (3 cabins), 1160 (4 cabins) and 1310 (5 cabins).
The Confort boats have 2 steering positions and 2 terraces: one at the front for 4 people, the other at the back, which is slightly larger (different sizes depending on the boat), as well as a toilet per cabin and protected access between the lounge and the front terrace. These boats are designed to accommodate couples: 2 couples -> Confort 900 DP / Confort 900A, 3 couples -> Confort 1100 or 4 couples -> Confort 1350B.
These boats are designed to accommodate couples: 2 couples -> Comfort 900 DP, 3 couples -> Comfort 1100 or 4 couples -> Comfort 1350. A version of the 1350 is available with 2 cabins: the 1350 VIP. It has all the facilities you could wish for, including TV, microwave and 2 very large cabins.
The Estivale fleet is the latest creation from Nicols. They all have 2 helm stations, 2 terraces, TV and electric toilets. The Duo is our benchmark boat in terms of comfort for a couple, while the Quattro is ideal for 2 couples, with 2 cabins and 2 toilets.
The Estivale Sixto will be the ideal companion for crews of 2 couples and 2 children, and the Estivale Octo for 2 couples and 4 children.
For small families looking for the best comfort, a couple with two children, the Nicols shipyards have produced two outstanding boats: the Quattro S, mainly available on the Canal du Midi and in Brittany, but above all the Sixto Prestige with its huge forward cabin, dishwasher and air conditioning, available on the Canal du Midi and in Alsace.
Finally, Estivale Fly boats are premium boats with double decks, spacious cabins, bow thrusters and dual steering positions.
Next, we have the Triton and Tarpon fleets, both produced by the CPC shipyard near Digoin.
The Tritons are fairly old houseboats, suited to tight budgets. They have a stern terrace, and the Triton 860 Fly also has a second outdoor steering position.
Tarpons are the most modern boats produced by CPC shipyard. They have at least 2 toilets, 2 steering positions and a bow thruster (except for the Tarpon 32).
This fleet is divided into two ranges, the Classics with the Tarpon 32 (2 cabins, ideal for 2 couples), the Tarpon 37 (3 cabins, for 2 couples and 2 children) and the Tarpon 42 (4 cabins, for larger crews up to 12 people) and the Prestige range, with the Tarpon 37 Duo Prestige, for 2 couples, the Tarpon 42 Trio Prestige, for 3 couples, and the Tarpon 49 Quattro Prestige for 4 couples. The Prestige Tarpons are equipped to the very highest standards : with a plancha on the upper deck, a TV with DVD player and air conditioning in the living room, a dishwasher.
Recently, premium and even luxury boats have entered the market for boat holidays without a licence. These include the Vision (available in 3- or 4-cabin versions : Vision 3 Master, Vision 3, or Vision 4), Horizon (available in 2-, 3- ,4- or 5-cabin versions : Horizon 2, Horizon 3 or Horizon 4 or Horizon 5) and Mystique (available in 2- or 3-cabin versions : Royal Mystique A, Royal Mystique B, or Mystique) ranges.
In 2025, a new, luxurious boat is introduced: the Liberty. This boat has been designed for top-of-the-range comfort and excellent value for money. With a variety of extras included (bikes, housekeeping package, parking, provisions pack, and more), this boat enhances the river cruising experience compared to a conventional boat.
Liberty has unique features and a steering system that allows you to steer with ease from any angle. Enjoy bright, spacious cabins with panoramic hull windows, extra storage and triple-layer memory foam mattresses. The interior can be air-conditioned or heated. The fully equipped galley includes a dishwasher and Nespresso® coffee machine, and there's also a Smart TV, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in the living room.
Pénichettes ®
The Pénichettes ® (registered trademark) have a distinctive look reminiscent of the barges of yesteryear.
All the Pénichettes ® were built by the Locaboat yard in Joigny between 1986 and 2000. Some of them are therefore starting to look a little dated, but their build quality and look mean they remain timeless.
They are available in 3 ranges: classic, terrace and Fly Bridge.
The Pénichettes ® Classic (935 W, 1107 W) only have an interior steering position and no terrace.
The Pénichettes ® Terrace (1120R, 1260 R and 1500 R) have only an interior steering position, and a terrace at the rear of the boat, accessible from the lounge via a bay window.
Finally, the Pénichettes ® Fly Bridge (1020 Fb with 2 cabins, 1165 FB with 3 cabins and 1400 FB with 4 cabins), with their 2 steering positions, nice upper deck and bimini-top, are the most modern and confortables Penichettes®.
A brand new Penichette ® will be available in 2025 : the Penichette Néo. It's a Premium Pénichette ® with 3 cabinss, air conditioning in the living room (can be used with shore power) ; gas plancha, sink and icebox on the upper deck ; kitchen equipped with fridge, oven, hob and coffee maker; 3 outdoor areas: upper deck, large sunbathing area on deck for 3 people. Whats' more : the boar features photovoltaic panels to recharge the batteries more efficiently. In short, this boat will provide you with the best comfort for 6 people.
House-boats
These are older boats with a slightly old-fashioned look and charm, and most of them are the original boats for this type of river tourism. What makes them special is that most of them have very good headroom in the saloon and cabins, with the Espade Concept Fly being over 2.20 m high.
The houseboat barges most commonly seen on inland waterways are the Eau-Claire 930 and its Fly version, and the 1130 in its 2-cabin version.
The Espade fleet is also well represented, with 3 models. In 1 cabin, the older Espade 930 with a low price and the Espade 850 Fly, a little smaller but with 2 steering positions, perfect for a river cruise for 2 on a budget of around €1,000 a week, even in the middle of August. There's also the Espade Concept Fly, with 2 cabins and 2 steering positions. Spacious and well-equipped, it's a great companion for small families or couples of friends.