Rent a boat to navigate on the Canal de l'Est in the Ardennes
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Boat rental on the Canal de l'Est. Discover the highlights of this river cruise between Pont à Bar and Verdun
From Pont à Bar, there are many routes to choose from. You can leave for Namur to discover an exceptional natural heritage, for Reims for a river cruise between city, forest, countryside and lakes or for Verdun to navigate in a houseboat between nature and history. It is in this direction that we propose to take you.
Let's go for 100 km of navigable waterways. In this navigation area you can start your cruise at Pont à Bar.
Cities and villages to discover during your cruise
Navigation conditions for licence-free boat hire on the Canal de l'Est
During your cruise on the Canal de l'Est, you will encounter manual locks but most of them are operated by lock keepers.
You can start your cruise at the base of Pont à Bar where you will receive a short 1 hour training to introduce you to the principles of navigation and to familiarise you with the operation of your licence-free boat.
- Visit the largest castle in Europe
- Passage through Verdun, world capital of peace
- Canal bordered by forests
The locks are manned by lock keepers. They are closed on some bank holidays.
Navigation on waterways in the Ardennes is quite easy and perfect for your first experience of boating.
You can moor anywhere along the banks in the heart of the countryside, except on the River Meuse where you have to use the designated moorings.
Be aware of navigation restrictions, which often occur in October.
VNF notice: from August 19, 2025, navigation will be suspended due to drought on the Meuse Canal towards Sedan (formerly the Canal de l'Est, northern branch) between km 241.610 (lock no. 10 at Saint Mihiel) and km 99.611 (lock no. 39 at Donchery). .
VNF information: Work scheduled on the downstream section of the Meuse from November 13 to 21, 2025. The work will take place on the downstream section from lock 43 at Montcy-Notre-Dame to lock 58 at Les 3 Fontaines.
The Canal de l'Est - our suggested cruises
Pont à Bar
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Pont à Bar
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Pont à Bar
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Pont à Bar
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Pont à Bar
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Pont à Bar
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Pont à Bar
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Pont à Bar
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Pont à Bar
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Pont à Bar
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Monument
Swimming
River constructions
Customer testimonials
5/5
(based on 4 opinion)
"To be done again."
"auto-translation :''Very nice holiday at the end of the season in the Ardennes in the colors of autumn''"
"auto-translation :"River cruise less relaxing than I had thought but very rich in experience""
Travelling with CrisBoat
Crisboat has more than 90% of the French fleet of self drive river boats. Entrust us with your desires and your availabilities and we will shape your holidays on the water. Located in the heart of the Vienne, Crisboat is the leader in self driver river boat rental in France. Discover our team, made up of 6 experts ready to take up the challenge to design the cruise that will meet your expectations.
Satisfaction: 4,5 / 5
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"A family cruise, a first experience, which will certainly be repeated."