Rent a boat to navigate on the Canal du Centre
Crisboat - Expert in river boat rental for over 20 years
view Map
Boat rental on the Canal du Centre. Discover the highlights of this cruise between Digoin and Chalon-Sur-Saône
From Digoin, several routes are available to you. You can leave for Briare for a river cruise in the heart of Burgundy or for Saint-Jean-de-Losne to navigate on a picturesque route. This is the direction in which we propose to take you.
Let's go for 112 km of navigable waterways. There are two starting points in this navigation area: Digoin and Saint-Léger-Sur-Dheune, where you will find a towpath along the way, so don't forget your bikes! Here are some of the towns and villages you can discover during your cruise.
Cities and villages to discover during your cruise
See the current offers
Navigation conditions to rent a boat without a licence on the Canal du Centre in Burgundy
The 112 km long Canal du Centre is narrow and winding. Navigation is simple and pleasant. The Canal has 61 automatic locks. It is an ideal destination for beginners.
To navigate the Canal du Centre by houseboat, you can start your cruise at the base of Digoin or Saint-Léger-Sur-Dheune and take the direction you want. Before starting your river cruise, you will receive a short 1-hour training session to familiarise yourself with your boat without a licence.
- Many castles to visit
- Discovering the wines of the Côtes Chalonnaise
- Towpath perfect for cycling
The locks are automatic or electric and most are manned by lock keepers, except on the Canal du Nivernais and the Canal du Centre where some are manual. The locks are closed the 1st of May, the 14th of July and the 1rst of November.
During the season locks are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and are closed for lunch between 12:00-13:00 (1:00 p.m.).
The Roanne to Digoin canal is closed from mid-April to the end of June 2025 due to a leak on the canal.
On the Canal du Nivernais, there is a ladder of 16 consecutive locks: l'échelle de Sardy.
Between Saint Jean de Losne and Mâcon, you must only stop at designated moorings, elsewhere you can moor anywhere along the banks in the heart of the countryside.
The Canal du Centre - our suggested cruises
Saint Léger
round trip
Digoin
round trip
Saint Léger
round trip
Dompierre
round trip
Digoin
round trip
Gastronomy
Monument
River constructions
Sports and leisure activities
Digoin
round trip
Gastronomy
Monument
River constructions
Sports and leisure activities
Dompierre
round trip
Branges
round trip
Digoin
round trip
Dompierre
round trip
Saint Léger
round trip
Decize
round trip
St Jean de Losne
round trip
Digoin
round trip
Louhans
round trip
Swimming
Monument
Vineyard
Nature
Sports and leisure activities
Digoin
round trip
Digoin
round trip
Decize
round trip
Dompierre
round trip
Pontailler
round trip
Gastronomy
Swimming
Sports and leisure activities
River constructions
Nature
Monument
Vineyard
Saint Léger
round trip
Louhans
round trip
Gastronomy
Nature
Swimming
Monument
Vineyard
River constructions
Sports and leisure activities
Branges
round trip
Digoin
round trip
Monument
River constructions
Gastronomy
Swimming
Nature
Sports and leisure activities
Vineyard
Also to be discovered
Here is the list of possible cruises on the Canal du Centre
From €542 / pers
Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25
- Max. people : 5
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €705 / pers
Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25
- Max. people : 4
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 1
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €550 / pers
Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €405 / pers
Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
220 V converter
Air cooler
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €345 / pers
Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
220 V converter
Air cooler
Microwave
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €266 / pers
Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
220 V converter
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €382 / pers
Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25
- Max. people : 4
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €290 / pers
Week of the 5/3/25 to 5/10/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
220 V converter
220V socket
Electric toilets
Customer testimonials
4.7/5
(based on 17 opinion)
"Pretty nice. It was a pleasure to navigate on a canal in the middle of the countryside."
"Relaxing cruise."
"An extraordinary experience that we'll be repeating next year."
"auto-translation :''A real joy shared with my grandchildren''"
"We were very well advised by the team at the base, who were very helpful."
"auto-translation :''Everyone was happy with the experience.''"
"auto-translation :''It was magical to share this moment of reunion as a family, living a unique and original experience and meeting passionate and fascinating lock keepers.''"
"auto-translation :''Canal roanne digoin beautiful and wild''"
"auto-translation :''We have adored''"
"auto-translation :''A beautiful experience to renew''"
"auto-translation :''Super very nice''"
"auto-translation :''Quiet, relaxing and exotic''"
"auto-translation :''Rather successful''"
"auto-translation :''Enchanted by our cruise''"
"auto-translation :''Great ! Nothing else to say about our cruise on the Canal de Roanne to Digoin''"
"auto-translation :''This Canal was nice''"
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
Cris Boat Blog
5-night cruise in Burgundy on the Canal du Nivernais
TOP 5 practical equipment for river cruising
"Great pleasure cruising the peaceful canals."