Early Booking 2026! Up to 30% off selected boats for your one-week river cruise between April and October 2026 – valid until 03/11/25.

Canal Latéral Loire 

SELF DRIVE RIVER BOAT RENTALS FROM Decize


 

This pretty little town is located on an island in the Loire. Decize is the starting point for one-way cruises on the Canal Lateral to the Loire towards Chatillon sur Loire or Tannay on the Canal du Nivernais.

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 Day: Friday morning
  • Great Fair: 3rd Tuesday of every month
  • Pentecost: May - Great carnival
  • International canoe regatta: Last weekend of June
  • National Day: July 14th
  • Fête de la Batellerie: August 15th
  • At Decize you will find all shops and services as well as a supermarket. The supermarket is located behind the base, 5 minutes walk. The city center is about 10 minutes walk

Fishing License 

  • A fishing license is required for Briare and Decize and the surrounding area. It is possible to pay this license to Decize. Or in the Tobacco office in downtown Briare. A fishing license costs around € 30 per person per week
  • Train: Decize, Nevers (very big train station which has connections with Paris and most cities of France).
  • Plane: Paris Orly 250km

Possible cruises


Best current offers for the destination Decize

Range Comfort 4 2
Elegance
Elegance
-15%

€1,939 €1,639

From €273 / pers

Week of the 4/3/26 to 4/10/26

  • Max. people : 6
  • Cabins : 3
  • Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions Two steering positions
Bow thruster Bow thruster
220 V converter 220 V converter
Air cooler Air cooler
Microwave Microwave
220V socket 220V socket
Electric toilets Electric toilets

Customer testimonials

Average : 5 étoiles 5/5 (based on 5 opinion)
 
5
Cruise carried out on Jun 21, 2025, Tarpon 37Cruise : Cognac round trip
"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."
 
5
Cruise carried out on May 30, 2025, Tarpon 42Cruise : Cognac round trip
"Personnel très accueillant et performant."
 
5
Cruise carried out on May 12, 2025, Penichette 935 W ACruise : Cognac round trip
"Amabilité et disponibilité."
 
5
Cruise carried out on Aug 12, 2017, Tarpon 37Cruise : Cognac round trip
"Accueil très sympathique."
 
5
Cruise carried out on Apr 23, 2016, Penichette 935 W ACruise : Cognac round trip
"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.

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Customer
Satisfaction: 4,5 / 5
20 years of experience
Wide choice of boats and destinations
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