Rent a boat to navigate in Franche-Comté on the Basse-Saône
Crisboat - Expert in river boat rental for over 20 years
view Map
Boat rental on the Saône. Discover the highlights of this river cruise on the Lower Saône between Mâcon and Saint-Jean-De-Losne
From Saint-Jean-De-Losne, there are many routes available to you. You can head for Epinal for a river cruise in the heart of nature and untouched spaces, or head for Mâcon to navigate on a wild river with few locks. It is in this direction that we propose to take you.
Let's go for 135 km of waterways. In this navigation area you have 4 departure bases: Saint-Jean-De-Losne, Saint-Léger-Sur-Dheune, Louhans and Branges. You will find a towpath all along your route so don't forget your bikes to enjoy it!
Cities and villages to discover during your cruise
Navigation conditions for renting a licence-free boat on the Basse-Saône
Like the Petite Saône, the Basse Saône is a calm river and ideal for beginners. Your stay will be marked by a few automatic lock passages. If you wish to navigate on the Seille, you should know that the locks are manual, which will make the cruise a little more sportive.
We propose 4 bases to start your licence-free boat cruise on the Lower Saône: Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Branges, Louhans and Mâcon. Before starting your barge cruise, you will receive a short 1-hour training session to introduce you to barge navigation and to familiarise you with the operation of the controls.
The locks are automatic or electric, most of them manned by lock keepers. Most locks are closed on 1st May and 1st November (and on 14th July on the Yonne river and the canal de Bourgogne).
Recommended experience for navigation on the Doubs.
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.
Between Saint Jean de Losne and Mâcon, docking at a pontoon or in a mandatory port. Otherwise you can moor on the banks, in the countryside.
The Basse-Saône - our suggested cruises
Louhans
round trip
Branges
round trip
Branges
round trip
Dôle
round trip
Gastronomy
Nature
Monument
Swimming
Louhans
round trip
Vineyard
Monument
Sports and leisure activities
Nature
St Jean de Losne
Branges
Branges
round trip
St Jean de Losne
Branges
St Jean de Losne
round trip
Louhans
round trip
Branges
St Jean de Losne
Branges
round trip
St Jean de Losne
Branges
Louhans
Pontailler
Gastronomy
Swimming
Sports and leisure activities
River constructions
Nature
Monument
Vineyard
Pontailler
Louhans
Gastronomy
Swimming
Sports and leisure activities
River constructions
Nature
Monument
Vineyard
Pontailler
round trip
Gastronomy
Swimming
Sports and leisure activities
River constructions
Nature
Vineyard
Monument
Louhans
round trip
Gastronomy
Nature
Swimming
Monument
Vineyard
Sports and leisure activities
Saint Léger
round trip
St Jean de Losne
round trip
Branges
round trip
St Jean de Losne
round trip
Branges
round trip
Branges
St Jean de Losne
Louhans
round trip
Swimming
Monument
Vineyard
Nature
Sports and leisure activities
Branges
round trip
St Jean de Losne
round trip
St Jean de Losne
Branges
Pontailler
round trip
Gastronomy
Swimming
Sports and leisure activities
River constructions
Nature
Monument
Vineyard
Louhans
round trip
Gastronomy
Nature
Swimming
Monument
Vineyard
Sports and leisure activities
River constructions
Branges
round trip
Here is the list of possible cruises on the Basse-Saône
From €238 / pers
Week of the 8/23/25 to 8/30/25
- Max. people : 4
- Cabins : 1
- Bathroom & Toilet : 1
Two steering positions
220 V converter
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €344 / pers
Week of the 8/23/25 to 8/30/25
- Max. people : 7
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €471 / pers
Week of the 8/6/25 to 8/13/25
- Max. people : 7
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €437 / pers
Week of the 8/13/25 to 8/20/25
- Max. people : 7
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €442 / pers
Week of the 8/29/25 to 9/5/25
- 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 €234 / pers
Week of the 8/29/25 to 9/5/25
- Max. people : 4
- Cabins : 1
- Bathroom & Toilet : 1
Two steering positions
220 V converter
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €249 / pers
Week of the 8/23/25 to 8/30/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
220 V converter
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €443 / pers
Week of the 8/11/25 to 8/18/25
- Max. people : 7
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €447 / pers
Week of the 8/27/25 to 9/3/25
- 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 €347 / pers
Week of the 8/24/25 to 8/31/25
- Max. people : 9
- Cabins : 4
- Bathroom & Toilet : 4
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €480 / pers
Week of the 8/4/25 to 8/11/25
- Max. people : 7
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air cooler
Bimini Top
Flat-screen TV
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €350 / pers
Week of the 8/22/25 to 8/29/25
- Max. people : 7
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Two steering positions
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
Continuous 220V electricity
Air-Conditioning
Bimini Top
Microwave
Electric toilets
From €244 / pers
Week of the 8/22/25 to 8/29/25
- Max. people : 4
- Cabins : 1
- Bathroom & Toilet : 1
Two steering positions
220 V converter
220V socket
Electric toilets
Customer testimonials
4.7/5
(based on 44 opinion)
"The route poses no problems, as there are only a few locks. The river does not have much current."
"The cruise was great."
"Just as I'd hoped: very relaxing."
"Formidable, moments full of serenity."
"Very nice."
"Very beautiful and relaxing, nature is beautiful."
"For some of us it was a first experience and everyone found it very enjoyable."
"A peaceful stay, and a most welcome escape from the hectic pace of life in the Paris region."
"Suitable for 4 nights, delighted with the proposed itinerary!"
"Everybody was delighted."
"Very peaceful and pleasant."
"Relaxing, a refreshing change of scenery; very nice contact with the flora and fauna and the birds."
"A great time."
"We discovered a magnificent river landscape. The locks were very well maintained and entertaining, and the two tunnels a real experience."
"Very pleasant stay."
"Great."
"We were very well advised by the team at the base, who were very helpful."
"Top! Very clear map, peaceful navigation."
"All 8 crew members were delighted."
"A week to relax and enjoy life."
"We found what we were looking for: nature and calm."
"auto-translation :''Relaxed''"
"auto-translation :''Nice experience, the little Saone is really nice''"
"auto-translation :''A good time spent''"
"auto-translation :''We have adored''"
"Louhans to Pontailler Sur Saone is a highly recommended itinerary for first time cruisers. Easy waters to navigate with only about 10 locks. Recommended itinerary very helpful."
"auto-translation :''It was a pleasant stay in which we lost the notion of time and we are perfectly relaxed''"
"auto-translation :''Super very nice''"
"auto-translation :''Good''"
"auto-translation :''No stress, relaxing. Site visit that we would not have done otherwise''"
"auto-translation :''Beautiful way to discover nature''"
"auto-translation :''A new experience, a taste of freedom to the rhythm of water and calm. Nature and conviviality, a real change of scenery.''"
"Great"
"auto-translation :''Rather successful''"
"auto-translation :''The small Saône and the Seille offered us unforgettable nights docked in the wilderness. Mooring in the center of Mâcon with a magnificent view of the city and the bridge lit by night.''"
"auto-translation :''Relaxing''"
"auto-translation :''Perfect, harmonious, we made a small detour until Dole, very well''"
"auto-translation :''Beautiful area. Suiet navigation''"
"auto-translation :''Idyllic, exotic and relaxation cruise await you''"
"auto-translation :''Superb''"
"auto-translation :''Relaxing cruise''"
"auto-translation :''Superb cruise''"
"auto-translation :"A little disappointed this cruise .""
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
1 Day in Chalon-sur-Saône during your river cruise in Franche Comté
What to do during a 1 week cruise in Franche-Comté ?
Discover the addresses of vineyards to combine a cruise in Franche-Comté with wine tasting
Also to be discovered
"The region is magnificent and the river easy to navigate."