Boating holidays in Franche-Comté on the Basse Saône
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River Cruise in Franche-Comté
Discover the highlights of a river cruise on the Basse Saône, between Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon.
Departing from Saint-Jean-de-Losne, several cruising itineraries await you. Head north towards the Petite Saône and the Canal des Vosges for a journey through unspoilt countryside, or cruise south towards Mâcon to discover a wide, peaceful river lined with lush green landscapes and charming traditional villages.
We invite you to explore this second destination: the Basse Saône (Lower Saône), perfect for a relaxing boating holiday, with few locks and particularly pleasant cruising conditions.
Enjoy 135 km of navigable waterways and discover the region's rich heritage, beautiful countryside and local gastronomy. Three departure bases give you access to this cruising area: Saint-Jean-de-Losne, on the Saône, and Louhans and Branges, both located on the Seille, a charming tributary of the Saône.
And don't forget to bring your bikes! Numerous cycling routes, including the famous Voie Bleue cycle route, offer wonderful opportunities to explore the banks of the Saône and discover nearby villages and attractions.
Cities and villages to discover during your cruise
Practical information for boating on the Basse Saône
To start your licence-free boating holiday on the Basse Saône, we offer 4 departure bases: Saint-Jean-de-Losne, Branges, Louhans and Chagny.
Before departure, you will systematically receive a one-hour briefing, designed to introduce you to houseboat handling and to help you become familiar with the controls and essential manoeuvres.
A simple and reassuring introduction, allowing you to enjoy your cruise with complete peace of mind.
Like the Petite Saône, the Basse Saône is a calm and accessible river, perfectly suited to a first licence-free boating experience.
Navigation is smooth and enjoyable, with a few automatic locks along the way, easy to pass through and ideal for gradually getting used to river cruising.
If you wish to extend your cruise onto the Seille, please note that the locks are manual, making navigation slightly more hands-on, while still remaining accessible.
The Seille flows through a beautifully preserved natural environment and offers a canalised stretch of around 39 km, between Louhans and La Truchère, where it joins the Saône.
This section includes 4 manual locks, providing a more authentic and interactive cruising experience.
Navigation on the Saône and Seille is particularly suitable for beginners, with no previous boating experience required.
Navigation on the Doubs, however, is recommended for boaters with previous river cruising experience. Its sometimes stronger currents, winding course and the presence of dams make certain manoeuvres more challenging and require greater care.
How do locks work in Franche-Comté?
Passing through locks is an essential part of the river cruising experience! In Franche-Comté and on the surrounding waterways, lock operations vary depending on your itinerary, but don't worry: they are easy to manage, even for beginners.
On the Petite Saône, between Corre and Saint-Jean-de-Losne, all 22 locks are automated. As you approach each lock, you generally need to turn a pole suspended above the water by a quarter turn to activate the system. Once the traffic light turns green, you can enter the lock chamber, secure your boat and start the locking process by pulling a control cord. The lock gates and water levels are then controlled automatically.
On the Grande Saône, particularly between Saint-Jean-de-Losne and Mâcon, the locks are larger and operated by lock keepers. Simply follow the traffic signals, wait for permission to enter and follow the instructions to moor your boat safely inside the lock.
On the Seille, between Louhans and its confluence with the Saône at La Truchère, you will encounter four traditional locks: Branges, Loisy, Cuisery and La Truchère. These locks are manually operated, and boaters may need to assist with certain manoeuvres, depending on staff availability and local instructions. A wonderful opportunity to experience the charm of traditional river navigation!
Before departure, the base staff will explain the safety rules and show you how to pass through locks safely and confidently. Remember to check the lock opening hours when planning your itinerary.
Good to know: are locks open on public holidays?
Please note that some locks are closed on public holidays! On the Petite Saône, locks are closed on 1 May and 1 November, but remain open on 14 July, during normal operating hours. Make sure to take these closures into account when planning your itinerary and stopovers. Even when locks are closed, you can still enjoy your boat and explore the villages and attractions near your mooring.
Can you swim during a river cruise in Franche-Comté?
During the summer, why not take a refreshing swimming break during your boating holiday?
Several designated beaches along the Saône offer pleasant natural surroundings for swimming. Among the most popular are La Chanoie beach in Pontailler-sur-Saône and Autet beach near Gray, both offering supervised swimming areas during the summer season.
Please note that swimming is not permitted everywhere. It is prohibited in navigable canals, near locks and dams, and in certain sections of rivers. On the Saône, swimming is subject to local regulations; on the Seille, swimming is prohibited within the navigable waterway unless specific local rules allow otherwise.
For your safety, always choose officially designated swimming areas, follow local signs and check swimming conditions before entering the water.
Where can you moor your boat in Franche-Comté?
During your river cruise in Franche-Comté, you will find plenty of marinas, riverside moorings and dedicated pontoons where you can stop to explore nearby villages or spend the night.
On the Petite Saône and Seille, mooring in the countryside is also possible, provided you choose a safe, accessible riverbank where mooring is permitted. Enjoy a peaceful stop surrounded by greenery, using the mooring stakes and mallet provided on board your boat.
On the Grande Saône, particularly between Seurre and Mâcon, you should use designated marinas and mooring pontoons. Mooring directly along the riverbanks is not suitable in this section, especially due to the risk of running aground.
Wherever you stop, always follow local signs and avoid mooring on bends, near locks or in areas where your boat could obstruct navigation. Marinas and designated mooring areas may also offer useful facilities, such as water and electricity connections, sometimes for an additional fee.
The Basse-Saône - our suggested cruises
Louhans
round trip
Branges
round trip
Louhans
Pontailler
Branges
round trip
St Jean de Losne
Branges
Louhans
round trip
Branges
round trip
St Jean de Losne
Branges
St Jean de Losne
round trip
Louhans
round trip
Vineyard
Monument
Nature
Sports and leisure activities
Dôle
round trip
Gastronomy
Nature
Monument
Swimming
Branges
St Jean de Losne
Branges
round trip
St Jean de Losne
Branges
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
Louhans
Pontailler
Gastronomy
Swimming
Sports and leisure activities
River constructions
Nature
Monument
Vineyard
Branges
round trip
Louhans
Pontailler
Pontailler
Louhans
St Jean de Losne
round trip
Branges
round trip
Louhans
round trip
Swimming
Monument
Vineyard
Nature
Sports and leisure activities
Branges
round trip
Branges
St Jean de Losne
Louhans
Pontailler
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 €298 / pers
Week of the 4/12/27 to 4/19/27
- 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 €176 / pers
Week of the 4/12/27 to 4/19/27
- Max. people : 8
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €179 / pers
Week of the 4/19/27 to 4/26/27
- Max. people : 9
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €330 / pers
Week of the 4/17/27 to 4/24/27
- 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 €195 / pers
Week of the 4/23/27 to 4/30/27
- Max. people : 9
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €367 / pers
Week of the 4/23/27 to 4/30/27
- 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 €166 / pers
Week of the 4/9/27 to 4/16/27
- Max. people : 9
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €172 / pers
Week of the 4/10/27 to 4/17/27
- Max. people : 9
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €341 / pers
Week of the 4/10/27 to 4/17/27
- Max. people : 7
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 3
Bow and Stern Thruster
Plancha
220 V converter
Flat-screen TV
Dishwasher
Electric toilets
Customer testimonials
4.7/5
(based on 72 ratings)
"Very good for a weekend."
"The Seille is magnificent, wild, and full of unspoilt natural beauty."
"Very enjoyable, no issues at all."
"Great."
"Our first river cruise. It was a wonderful discovery after cruising on canals."
"The freedom to choose our stops without any constraints."
"A great experience."
"Ideal for 8 people."
"A wonderful discovery of this route along the Saône, with ideal weather conditions."
"A peaceful time surrounded by nature (we were lucky to encounter very few other boats while cruising), which was exactly what we were looking for on this trip."
"Pleasant."
"A trip filled with wonderful moments of friendship."
"Lovely weather and a pleasant river—it offers a very different experience from the Canal du Midi. The manual locks were a particularly enjoyable feature."
"The peaceful cruise and the beautiful natural surroundings."
"Ideal for a first boating experience, although the scenery was somewhat monotonous"
"We shared some very enjoyable moments as a family."
"The Seille is very picturesque."
"A wonderful cruise along the Saône and Seille rivers."
"We shortened our route since, with two children and a dog, we didn’t want to cruise all day, but we really liked the flexibility this allowed."
"A wonderful adventure."
"A lovely family moment with great discoveries for the children, who really enjoyed it."
"I really enjoyed the first part on the Seille."
"Fantastic."
"Perfect, relaxing cruise."
"A successful cruise thanks to the advice of the rental base, which prioritized visits over long hours of navigation."
"The Seille is wild and beautiful, but the Saône is more boring."
"A beautiful variety of landscapes and environments, peaceful and not too many locks, with the much-appreciated kingfisher present almost daily."
"The region is magnificent and the river easy to navigate."
"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
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"Très bien pour un weekend."