Hire canal boats and navigate the canals of the Ardennes
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Cruise in the Ardennes
The Ardennes is the perfect destination for a river cruise in the heart of nature. Between hills and forests, cast off and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Ardennes with family and friends. The Ardennes waterways have a total of 301 km, 89 locks and 1 departure base: Le Pont à Bar. To help you choose your direction, we suggest you discover the 3 navigation zones: the Meuse, the Canal des Ardennes and the Canal de l'Est.
- Beautiful countryside
- Medieval buildings along the river
- Ideal for fishermen! River rich in fish
Cruise in the Ardennes
Rent your houseboat to navigate on the Meuse
Do you want a holiday in the heart of nature? Discover this beautiful cruise from Pont à Bar to Namur. You will navigate in the heart of nature between medieval buildings and villages of character like Charleville-Mézières. Throughout your houseboat cruise, you will find a towpath on the banks of the Meuse for your bicycle rides.
Cruise in the Ardennes
Rent your houseboat to navigate on the Ardennes Canal
A cruise in the Ardennes is the promise of a relaxing holiday! During your cruise on the Canal des Ardennes, you will navigate close to the Champagne region, take the opportunity to discover the vineyards and attend a wine tasting. A perfect cruise for a mix of nature and heritage, far from the crowds.
- Close to the Champagne vineyards
- Passage through Reims, a UNESCO listed city
- Ideal for sportsmen! Water activities in the vicinity
- Visit the largest castle in Europe
- Passage through Verdun, world capital of peace
- Canal bordered by forests
Cruise in the Ardennes
Rent your houseboat to navigate on the Canal de l'Est
Do you want to spend your holidays with unique views and war relics? Discover this beautiful river cruise between Sedan and Verdun. On the programme: discovery of the largest fortified castle in Europe, visit to the Verdun Memorial and swimming in the canal!
Customer testimonials
4.6/5
(based on 5 opinion)
"auto-translation :''Good experience''"
"auto-translation : ''This cruise gave us want to retry the family experience''"
"auto-translation : ''Pleasant stay, better than I could have hoped''"
"auto-translation : ''To Redo''"
Best current offers for the destination Ardennes
From €389 / pers
Week of the 8/4/25 to 8/11/25
- Max. people : 6
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €249 / pers
Week of the 7/25/25 to 8/1/25
- Max. people : 7
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 1
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €401 / pers
Week of the 7/28/25 to 8/4/25
- Max. people : 7
- Cabins : 3
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €521 / pers
Week of the 8/2/25 to 8/9/25
- Max. people : 5
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
Bow thruster
Bimini Top
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €234 / pers
Week of the 7/28/25 to 8/4/25
- Max. people : 10
- Cabins : 4
- Bathroom & Toilet : 2
Two steering positions
220V socket
Electric toilets
From €162 / pers
Week of the 7/18/25 to 7/25/25
- Max. people : 9
- Cabins : 2
- Bathroom & Toilet : 1
The locks are manned by lock keepers. They are closed on some bank holidays.
Navigation on waterways in the Ardennes is quite easy and perfect for your first experience of boating.
You can moor anywhere along the banks in the heart of the countryside, except on the River Meuse where you have to use the designated moorings.
Everything you need to know about navigation on a licence-free boat in the Ardennes
The Meuse, 950 km long, is a European river that flows through France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The most beautiful part of the Meuse to do by houseboat is from Pont à Bar to Fumay. In three days you will navigate between historical heritages and natural wonders.
During your river cruise on the Canal de l'Est, you will be able to pass through several towns of character such as Sedan, Mouzon, Stenay, Dun-Sur-Meuse and Verdun. Navigating on the Canal de l'Est by licence-free boat, you will discover a rich heritage.
Renting a houseboat in the Ardennes offers a unique experience, combining the peace and quiet of river cruising with the discovery of the history and natural beauty of this emblematic region of northern France. This rental offers the chance to pass through locks, visit villages steeped in history and sample tasty local cuisine. When you hire a houseboat in the Ardennes, you'll enjoy a unique journey, combining the tranquillity of navigating on the water with the discovery of exceptional natural landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. Whatever your level of sailing experience, this will be an adventure not to be missed.
When you choose to hire a houseboat from CrisBoat in the Ardennes, you have access to a variety of boats to suit your preferences and needs. The barges are classified according to their level of quality to make your selection easier.
- The Essential Range: The barges in the "Essential" range are an economical alternative for exploring river cruising in the Ardennes. Although their design is traditional and a little dated, most barges have electric toilets and a 220V power socket when moored. In addition, some have an outdoor cockpit with a terrace offering a splendid view of the Ardennes countryside.
- The Standard Range: We offer standard barges for hire in the Ardennes. Although they are older, these boats are very comfortable. Most of them have several bathrooms and an outside cockpit with a terrace to enjoy the sun and admire the picturesque scenery of the Ardennes canals. Some of these no-licence boats also have a bow thruster to make cruising easier.
- The Comfort range: If you hire a Comfort range barge in the Ardennes, you'll enjoy comfortable, modern boats, ideal for a successful family holiday. Most of these barges have a private bathroom for each cabin, as well as modern facilities such as a bimini, microwave, air conditioning, flat-screen TV and DVD player, for a pleasant stay in the Ardennes.
- The Premium Range: We have elegant, spacious and very comfortable Premium barges available in the Ardennes. Each cabin has its own private bathroom and toilet. Most barges are equipped with air conditioning, bow and stern thrusters.
If you are considering renting a houseboat for the first time in the Ardennes, we recommend that you take the following tips into account to prepare yourself properly:
- Choice of barge: Take your time to choose the ideal barge from our varied selection, according to the size of your crew and your preferences.
- Planning your trip: When choosing a barge, don't forget to take into account the departure base in the Ardennes. With CrisBoat, you can choose from several bases, so you can select the one that best suits your itinerary: Pont à Bar
- Your rental itinerary: You are free to choose your route through the Ardennes. You can either order our river guide in advance to plan your itinerary, or wait until the day of departure to organise it with the river guide on board.
- Training and initiation: Before setting off, you'll be given a one-hour training session to teach you the river code, the basics of navigation, and to familiarise you with the controls of your licence-free barge.
- Discovering the region: During your barge hire, why not explore the pretty villages, admire the lush countryside and savour the local Ardennes specialities?
- Respect for the environment: If you hire a houseboat in the Ardennes, make sure you respect the navigation rules and leave no trace of your passage to protect the environment.
If you hire a houseboat in the Ardennes, you'll have to pass through locks, a very important step when sailing. Here's how it usually works:
- Preparing the crew: It is necessary to clarify the safety rules and designate who is responsible for each adult on board, such as the helmsman and mooring man, while guaranteeing the total protection of all crew members.
- Inform the lock-keeper: Depending on the type of lock, inform the lock-keeper of your arrival in the lock.
- Gentle entry: Be careful when entering the lock and avoid any haste that could cause damage to the barge.
- Optimum positioning: When entering the lock, make sure you leave enough space for other boats. If you are the only boat, position yourself carefully in the centre.
- Knot-free mooring lines: Attach the barge to the lock bollards at the bow and stern without tying any knots to make manoeuvring easier.
- Watch out for eddies: It is important to pay attention to the movements of the water near the gates, when filling or emptying the lock, to ensure the safety of all the boat's occupants.
- Controlled slackening of mooring lines: It is advisable for the barge to be well secured to the mooring lines when entering or leaving the lock. Take care not to tie the ropes on the cleat.
- Avoid touching the mooring lines directly: To ensure your safety, it is essential not to touch the mooring lines or cleat directly with your hands or feet. Instead, use tools such as pike poles to carry out these manoeuvres safely and efficiently.
- Waiting for the doors to open fully: It is imperative to wait until the lock gates are fully open before leaving, to avoid any risk.
Lock staff are there to help boaters pass through safely. It is important to respect the rules of priority and to follow the staff's instructions carefully.
The choice of the ideal period for renting a houseboat in the Ardennes depends on several factors, including your personal preferences. Here are some factors to consider:
- Peak Tourist Season: The peak tourist season in the Ardennes generally falls between late June and late August. You can opt for a houseboat rental during this period because it is the most popular due to pleasant temperatures and school holidays. However, please note that the canals may be a bit busier during this time.
- Off-Peak Season: If you prefer quieter conditions and more affordable rental rates, consider renting a houseboat in the Ardennes outside of the peak season, for example, in the spring or autumn.
- Local Events: Feel free to inquire about local events such as festivals or markets, which could add a unique dimension to your houseboat rental in the Ardennes. Many of these events take place during the tourist season.
To access your rental houseboat in the Ardennes, you have several options at your disposal:
- By Car: You can take the highway and park your vehicle near your starting point. Some rental bases also offer parking spaces for added convenience.
- By Train: You can reach the starting base in the Ardennes by train, providing a convenient alternative for travelers.
- By Plane: For houseboat rentals in the Ardennes, you can choose to take a flight to the nearest airport to your destination, and then rent a car or use public transportation to reach your starting point.
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
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"auto-translation :''I recommend to my friends''"