SELF DRIVE RIVER BOAT RENTALS FROM Briare
Famous for its canal bridge, one of the most beautiful in France, Briare is at the crossroads between the Briare Canal and the Lateral à la Loire. This is the starting point for the one-week single-trip cruise to Digoin.
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 and the 1st 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.).
From June 2025: Navigation is closed at Chagny on the Canal du Centre (between the Saint-Gilles lock and the Crissey lock) due to a leak. Works are required to secure the embankment. Navigation is expected to reopen in March 2026.
From August 18, 2025: navigation will be suspended until further notice on the Canal Latéral à la Loire between km 116 (Aubray Lock 24) and km 182.5 (Maimbray Lock), i.e. between Nevers and Beaulieu (south of Briare), due to insufficient water resources.
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.
- Market Briare, U Express and Lidl in Briare
- At 200 meters from the Canal bridge without lock (once past the canal bridge, the first lock is 16 kms towards Sancerre)
- Train: Briare Station (10 minutes walk from the base)
- Air: Orly airport (143 km)
Possible cruises
Briare
round trip
Briare
round trip
Briare
Chatillon en Bazois
Briare
Digoin
Gastronomy
Swimming
Monument
River constructions
Vineyard
Briare
round trip
Briare
Digoin
Briare
Chatillon en Bazois
Briare
Chatillon en Bazois
Briare
Chatillon en Bazois
Best current offers for the destination Briare
From €191 / pers
Week of the 4/24/26 to 5/1/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €185 / pers
Week of the 4/10/26 to 4/17/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €166 / pers
Week of the 4/24/26 to 5/1/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €161 / pers
Week of the 4/20/26 to 4/27/26
- Max. people : 9
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €160 / pers
Week of the 4/6/26 to 4/13/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €280 / pers
Week of the 4/13/26 to 4/20/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
220 V converter
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Dishwasher
Electric toilets
From €147 / pers
Week of the 4/3/26 to 4/10/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €208 / pers
Week of the 4/27/26 to 5/4/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €264 / pers
Week of the 4/4/26 to 4/11/26
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
220 V converter
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Dishwasher
Electric toilets
From €128 / pers
Week of the 4/4/26 to 4/11/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €160 / pers
Week of the 4/10/26 to 4/17/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €209 / pers
Week of the 5/1/26 to 5/8/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €240 / pers
Week of the 4/4/26 to 4/11/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Plancha
220 V converter
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Dishwasher
Electric toilets
From €180 / pers
Week of the 4/27/26 to 5/4/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €204 / pers
Week of the 5/1/26 to 5/8/26
- Max. people : 9
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €217 / pers
Week of the 5/2/26 to 5/9/26
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
Customer testimonials
5/5
(based on 5 opinion)
"Personnel très accueillant et performant."
"Amabilité et disponibilité."
"Accueil très sympathique."
"Excellent accueil à la base de Cognac"
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
What Activities Can You Enjoy During an Autumn River Cruise?
"Accueil parfait. L'équipe est disponible à tout moment. Ambiance sympathique et conviviale. De grands moments de détente à leur contact, vraiment super. Bravo, qu'elle ne change rien."