
Self-drive Canal boating holidays in Brittany
Crisboat - Expert in river boat rental for over 20 years

Hire a licence-free boat on the rivers and canals of Britanny
With 600 km of waterways, Brittany is one of the most beautiful river destinations in France. From Nantes to Rennes, passing through Redon, Josselin or Pontivy, travel through inland Brittany to discover hidden gems. At Crisboat, we offer you 7 possible locations to start your river cruise. To help you choose, we suggest you discover the 3 navigation areas : the Vilaine river, the Redon from Nantes canal and the Redon from Pontivy canal.
Cruise in Brittany
Navigate on a houseboat between Redon and Pontivy on the Nantes to Brest Canal
Embark on a mysterious and bewitching cruise! In the heart of inland Brittany, treat yourself to a mythical interlude in the famous forest of Broceliande. Viviane, Merlin, Arthur and all these legendary beings are waiting for you. A little further on, another world, just as magical, awaits you, with the work of the glass blowers and wood sculptors of La Gacilly. Finally, end your trip in Josselin, to admire THE most beautiful castle in Brittany according to us! Are you coming with us?
Cruise in Brittany
Navigate on a houseboat between Redon and Nantes on the Nantes-Brest Canal
This river cruise between Redon and Nantes is ideal for families and food lovers. On the programme: swimming and fun activities in the port of Guenrouët. Taste the many specialities of Nantes: Petit Beurre, rigolettes, mâche, berlingots, muscadet, curé nantais, there is something for everyone. While contemplating the beautiful castles overlooking the canal.

- Peace and quiet in the heart of nature
- Discovery of Rennes, capital of Brittany
- The 11 locks at Hédé
Cruise in Brittany
Rent your houseboat on the Vilaine river
Do you want to experience a bit of Brittany? This cruise on the Vilaine river will keep its promises. A dose of nature with this calm and quiet navigation on the Vilaine. Another dose of heritage with the discovery of 2 emblematic Breton cities: Dinan and Rennes. Finally, a dose of authenticity as you pass through the 11 locks at Hédé. These are the only locks where the doors are still made of wood as they were in the 18th century. Impressive isn't it? Come and discover them!
Customer testimonials


"très bien"

"Super et fréquentation calme"

"Very good price-quality ratio,"

"Great, would do again."

"Rather pleasant. A great adventure."

"We'll be back again. Special thanks to the very friendly and attentive team in Redon."

"We were all very pleased with our week on the river cruiser."

"Very nice."

"Great for a short break with the family."

"Nice. Fun. Relaxing."

"It went well."

"Very satisfied."

"A peaceful, relaxing holiday."

"It was very good, a nice discovery, and what's more we had good weather."

"Very pleasant stay with no particular worries."

"Fully satisfied with the discussions we had with the CrisBoat team, but also with the contacts with the Glénac base: friendly, competent, responsive (effective intervention during 2 technical incidents)."

"Very comfortable."

"To be repeated."

"Our first river cruise was a great success - all the ingredients were there."

"A short, relaxing cruise in complete confidence with a great company."

"Very pleasing holiday despite the gloomy weather."

"auto-translation :''A real pleasure to pilot this boat. Unforgettable trip. Very interesting encounters. A true delight.''"

"auto-translation :''Superb''"

"auto-translation :''Very good reception and fast service''"

"auto-translation :''A change of scenery and a new lease of life''"

"auto-translation :''Pleasant''"

"auto-translation :''Sympathetic''"

"auto-translation :''Very pleasant''"

"auto-translation :''Very good''"

"auto-translation :''VERY GOOD''"

"auto-translation :''Super change of scenery''"

"auto-translation :''Nothing to say, good welcome''"

"auto-translation :''Superb WE with a magnificent environment and our friends enchanted by this outing''"

"auto-translation :''Good experience, very nice''"

"auto-translation :''Very well''"

"auto-translation :''Stay very appreciated by our group, good discovery of this kind of stay''"

"auto-translation :''Perfect''"

"Good"

"auto-translation :''Very good stay, we have the project to start again in a few years''"

"auto-translation :''For us it was a first with Crisboat = to redo''"

"auto-translation :''In accordance with our forecasts''"

"auto-translation :''Superb''"

"auto-translation :''Superb stay with a beautiful weather, a dream answered!''"

"auto-translation :''It was a very nice idea.''"

"auto-translation :''Very satisfaying. We will gladly come back.''"

"auto-translation :''Very good reception and follow-up of the reservation, speed and friendliness''"

"Very good"

"auto-translation :''Exotic, relaxing, it changes''"

"auto-translation :''Nice, simple, calm and the lock keepers are very nice''"

"auto-translation :''Boat very correct, welcome, no surprises''"

"Good"

"auto-translation :''It was perfect''"

"auto-translation :''choice and prices / home / efficiency and quick troubleshooting''"

"auto-translation :''Very good except the lack of training for accostage maneuvers.''"

"auto-translation :''It was the second time, always so nice and the gacilly super with the photo exhibition.''"

"auto-translation :''I have already invited friends for another cruise next year''"

"auto-translation :''Very nice and a very professional team following the impossibility of sailing, thank you Mr Rouil''"

"Very enjoyable"

"auto-translation :''Friendly and competent staff''"

"auto-translation :''Original holidays and quiet to meet many people along the canal''"

"auto-translation :''Like 9 years ago, everything was clear and precise.''"

"auto-translation :''Very nice stay, nice discovery with family''"

"auto-translation :''We had a great time with the family. We are satisfied with this experience with CrisBoat France''"

"auto-translation :''Nothing wrong, welcome from the boss and warm employees (Maud, Philippe and the boss) and the cleaning lady''"

"Very good"

"Cool!"

"auto-translation :''Good responsiveness website suite, good reception, good grip, good customer service''"

"auto-translation :''Very satisfaying''"

"auto-translation :''Satisfied''"

"auto-translation :''Great relaxing holiday with no stress. To redo''"

"auto-translation :''Satisfaction on all points''"

"auto-translation :''Boat and Cruise to do absolutely''"

"auto-translation :''Very good stay. Just a small note: the quality of the bikes; Being very exposed to "bad weather", they deserve at least a good lubrication of the chains; We had a real shift problem with one of the bikes.''"

"auto-translation :''Great''"

"We loved every minute of our cruise"

"auto-translation :''Excellent stay, team and hospitality absolutely faultless (thanks)''"

"auto-translation :''Very good formula to discover the river cruise. A bit expensive for the same family; Affordable when sharing between couples.''"

"auto-translation :''Very Good''"

"auto-translation :''Staff very friendly and helpful''"

"auto-translation :''Very pleasant stay, good times shared; To redo!''"

"auto-translation :''Reception, comfort of the Tarpon 42, restful river course, magnificent landscapes, locks very flowery and lockers very sympathetic. Great cruise. To recommend.''"

"auto-translation :''Pleasant''"

"auto-translation :''Perfect as usual''"

"auto-translation :''Great landscapes parade in a relaxed atmosphere.''"

"Excellent"

"Very good , good service"

"auto-translation :''We loved it very much. Great memory.''"

"auto-translation :''Good plan''"

"Very Good"

"auto-translation :''All in all the stay was very nice, for an upcoming outing on the canals, I think we would leave with CrisBoat''"

"To Redo"

"auto-translation :''Very good memories''"

"auto-translation :''Quality accompaniments from initiation to return thanks to the competence and friendliness of Maud. Thank you''"

"auto-translation : ''Very good, to remake ''"

"Everyone agrees it was one of the best holidays we have had and will definitly do it again."

"auto-translation : ''A remake in another region''"

"auto-translation : ''Experience to live''"

"auto-translation : ''Good organization and good choice of boat''"

"auto-translation : ''A good memory, rather festive weekend with family''"

"auto-translation : ''Very good''"

"auto-translation : ''To remake''"

"auto-translation : ''Unforgettable''"

"auto-translation : ''Really enjoyable stay''"

"auto-translation : ''Pleasant''"

"auto-translation : ''Very nice experience''"

"auto-translation : ''Wonderful''"

"auto-translation : ''Quite in line with our expectations and very relaxing''"

"auto-translation : ''Good''"

"auto-translation : ''Super home, boat and good quality services''"

"auto-translation : ''Good''"

"auto-translation : ''Rest, quiet, pleasant meeting on the ill and rance canal''"

"Very enjoyable week beautiful scenery pretty towns friendly people"

"auto-translation : ''Stay on top''"

"auto-translation : ''A good week, exotic''"

"auto-translation : ''Very good''"

"auto-translation : ''Very good''"

"auto-translation : ''For a first cruise, well''"

"We loved everything about our cruise - the boat, the river and canals and the places we visited. It was a most relaxing and enjoyable trip."

"auto-translation : ''Equal to our expectations''"

"auto-translation : ''All Good''"

"auto-translation : ''Great, relaxing''"

"auto-translation : ''First completely successful experience to renew''"

"auto-translation : ''Good, well prepared and well advised.''"

"auto-translation : ''Perfect, ready to start again''"

"auto-translation : ''Perfect''"

"auto-translation : ''A REMAKE !! Warm welcome (at the base, in ports, in locks, ..) SUPER !!''"

"auto-translation : ''Home, implementation has available, good condition, propretée, everything was perfect''"

"auto-translation : ''Very good, very beautiful river cruise''"

"auto-translation : ''Maginifique river cruise, relaxing, beautiful landscape''"

"auto-translation : ''Pleasant stay in Brittany''"

"auto-translation : ''Very good, very good stay in the Nantes-Brest canal''"

"auto-translation : ''Perfect stay. Holidays to our expectations''"

"auto-translation : ''Friendly weekend with friends, to remake''"

"auto-translation : ''Stay with Cris Boat very correct, to remake''"

"auto-translation : ''Cruise in spite of the rain''"

"auto-translation : ''Very good, very good stay''"

"auto-translation : ''River cruise very successful overall.''"

"auto-translation : ''Excellent river cruise: want to start!''"

"auto-translation : ''Great river cruise on the Canal from Nantes to Brest, stunning scenery''"

"auto-translation : ''Great !! River cruise to make and remake''"

"auto-translation : ''Attentive staff, boat in perfect condition, successful river cruise"

"auto-translation : ''Exotic and quiet, excellent river cruise''"

"auto-translation : ''This river cruise to expectations''"

"auto-translation : ''Okay, fine discovery of the Nantes-Brest Canal. Gacilly and Malestroit: A View!''"

"auto-translation : ''Good discovery of the calm and relaxing river navigation''"

"auto-translation : ''Superb river cruise experience to renew''"

"auto-translation : ''Pleasant weekend boat without license on the Canal from Nantes to Brest, relaxing''"

"auto-translation : ''This cruise barge corresponds to our expectations''"

"auto-translation : ''Very nice river cruise in Brittany''"

"auto-translation : ''Perfect cruise''"

"auto-translation : ''Relaxing, exploring the deep Brittany, meetings with other boaters, meetings in villages''"

"auto-translation : ''Beautiful river cruise''"

"auto-translation : ''Superb river cruise with Cris Boat''"

"auto-translation : ''Excellent river cruise with Cris Boat France''"

"auto-translation : ''Nice river cruise (to redo the Brest channel -Nantes)''"

"auto-translation : ''Team Cris'Boat, simple and effective''"

"auto-translation : ''Very good''"

"auto-translation : ''Very good experience''"

"auto-translation : ''At the height of the promise''"

"Good"

"auto-translation : ''very good''"

"Really enjoyed it"

"auto-translation : ''Super''"

"auto-translation : ''A remake. Very relaxing. Discover the fauna and flor, sweet''"

"auto-translation : ''Satisfied''"

"auto-translation : ''Excellent home, prompt and courteous service''"

"auto-translation : ''Very pleasant stay''"

"auto-translation : ''Boat not too recent to have crossed over new.''"

"auto-translation : ''Very good''"

"auto-translation : ''Very exotic''"

"auto-translation : ''Good ''"

"auto-translation : ''Very pleasant stay, friendly and comfortable''"

"auto-translation : ''A bit expensive for 3½ days''"

"auto-translation : ''Nice stay, despite a course on the Vilaine who has not that remarkable sites''"

"auto-translation : ''Very nice river cruise''"

"Good"

"auto-translation : ''An interesting compromise and reserve fun''"

"auto-translation : ''Satisfactory, despite the wind''"

"auto-translation : ''Great''"

"auto-translation : ''Too short, to do more and one week''"

"auto-translation : ''Very good, very satisfied''"

"auto-translation : ''Good discovery''"

"auto-translation : ''Excellent cold but we can not buy the weather''"

"auto-translation : ''Everything is perfect (home, boat, base)''"

"auto-translation : ''A different nature discovery''"

"auto-translation : ''Real pros, it shows''"

"auto-translation : ''Good welcome. Respect schedules and benefits provided on the quote''"

"auto-translation : ''We took this Weekend family with children and grandchildren. We feasted, it was too short''"

"auto-translation : ''Benefits in line with those announced in the catalog and the website. Very nice home.''"

"auto-translation : ''Weekend truly exotic''"

"auto-translation : ''The service is always equal to itself''"

"auto-translation : ''Very pleasant and relaxing stay''"

"auto-translation : ''Very satisfied with the benefits of Cris Boat''"

"auto-translation : ''Good''"

"auto-translation : ''The staff is really impeccable in Redon''"

"auto-translation : ''Pleasant. For a round trip, we must organize his time browsing''"

"auto-translation : ''Good week. Good management of our failure.''"

"auto-translation : ''Relaxing and exotic. Life very pleasant edge.''"

"auto-translation : ''Okay, relaxing stay''"

"auto-translation : ''Relaxing, ideal for families who want to end up in a good time together.''"

"auto-translation : ''Great experience, very exotic''"
The locks are electric and manned by lock keepers. They are always open.
In Britanny, river cruises are mainly done on canals (except between Redon and Rennes). Easy on the whole, little current, few dangers - this region is perfectly suited for a first river cruise experience.
In 2024 and 2025: following long maintenance work, navigation will be interrupted on the Vilaine at the Moulin de Boël, between Messac and Rennes. You will therefore not be able to navigate as far as Rennes for the whole of the 2025 season.
Update of 18/04/25: Due to work to replace the Boël valve, navigation is only possible as far as Pierchatel until further notice. This means that you can only cruise north from Messac for 1.5 hours as far as the Molière lock. If you wish to visit Rennes from Messac, it is advisable to take the train - the station is just opposite the Messac base.
Update 18/04/25: Due to heavy flooding in January, mooring on the pontoons at La Gacilly is not possible until further notice, as the pontoons are not secure. Navigation on the Aff river is possible, but mooring is not.
Whether on the Nantes-Brest Canal or on the Vilaine River, mooring is only permitted in designated places and not along the banks.
Everything you need to know about navigation on a licence-free boat in Brittany
In Brittany, you will cruise along one of the most beautiful canals in France between traditions and pristine nature. The most amazing part of Brittany for a boating holiday is the Redon-Josselin area. If you like landscapes between land and water, you will be charmed by these two destinations!
During your boating holiday on the Vilaine, you will pass through several towns and villages such as Langon, Rennes, Melesse, Tinténiac or the pretty village of Léhon. During your cruise, you will discover the charm of inland Brittany.
For an unforgettable experience in Brittany, you can go on a river cruise from early April to mid-October. If you opt for a cruise in August, you can take advantage of the Au Pont Du Rock festival to experience the joy and good humour of Brittany.
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

3-day itinerary for a licence free boat cruise on the Canal from Nantes to Brest

5 reasons to choose Brittany for your river cruise

"Agréable"