Discover the best houseboat rental offers in Franche-Comté

Renting a houseboat in Franche-Comté with CrisBoat offers a wide range of boat choices to suit your preferences and needs. You are free to select the houseboat that matches your expectations, thanks to the different ranges we offer.

• The Essential Range: Houseboats in the "Essential" range have a classic design and are a few years old. They offer an affordable option to discover river cruises in Franche-Comté. Most of them come with electric toilets and an electrical connection (when docked). Some also feature an external steering position and a terrace to admire the region's landscapes.
• The Standard Range: Houseboats available for rent in Franche-Comté in the Standard range are older but provide all the necessary comfort. They have multiple bathrooms, and most of them have an external steering position with a terrace to enjoy the view of Franche-Comté's canals. Some of these license-free houseboats are equipped with a bow thruster to facilitate navigation during your cruise.
• The Comfort Range: If you're looking to rent a houseboat in Franche-Comté, opt for the Comfort range, which offers comfortable boats with modern amenities for a successful family stay. Most cabins include private bathrooms, while amenities like biminis, microwaves, air coolers, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players ensure your comfort. You can make the most of your stay in Franche-Comté.
• The Premium Range: Our Premium houseboats in Franche-Comté are elegant and spacious vessels, offering high comfort. Each cabin has its private bathroom and toilet. Most of these houseboats come with features such as air conditioning, bow and stern thrusters, an integrated plancha grill, and an internal 220V circuit for a readily available power supply on board.

Are you considering renting a houseboat in Franche-Comté for the first time? Here are some tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience:

1. Find the Right Houseboat for Rental in Franche-Comté: Choose a rental houseboat that suits your preferences and needs. We offer boats for 2 to 12 people and various ranges with different options, so it's crucial to establish your crew and requirements before renting a houseboat in Franche-Comté.
2. Plan Your Houseboat Trip in Franche-Comté: To choose your houseboat, you'll need to select a departure base in Franche-Comté. With CrisBoat, renting a houseboat in this region allows you to choose from several departure bases.
   • Branges
   • Louhans
   • Dole
   • Fontenoy-Le-Château
   • Pontailler
   • Port-Sur-Saône
   • Scey-Sur-Saône
   • Saint-Jean-De-Losne
3. Itinerary for Your Houseboat Rental in Franche-Comté: You can choose your itinerary for your houseboat rental in Franche-Comté. We recommend planning it in advance by ordering the Franche-Comté river guide, which will be available on the houseboat to assist in your planning.
4. Operating the Houseboat in Franche-Comté: Before departing, you'll receive a one-hour training to familiarize yourself with the river code, navigation principles, and boat controls without a license.
5. Explore the Franche-Comté Region at Your Pace: Renting a houseboat in Franche-Comté offers a great opportunity to explore picturesque villages, green landscapes, and regional cuisine. It's the ideal chance to savor local dishes.
6. Environmental Respect in Franche-Comté: When renting a houseboat in Franche-Comté, take care to respect the environment by adhering to navigation rules and leaving no traces of your visit.

By following these tips for your first houseboat rental in Franche-Comté, you'll have a memorable and exciting experience!

When you rent a houseboat in Franche-Comté, you are likely to encounter locks, which represent a crucial stage for navigation. Here's how it usually works:

1. Prepare the Crew: Provide clear safety instructions to all participants, assigning each person specific roles (helmsman, moorers, etc.). Ensuring everyone's safety throughout the activity is essential.
2. Signal to the Lock Keeper: You should inform the lock keeper of your intention to pass, depending on the type of lock.
3. Enter Slowly: It's advisable not to rush when entering the lock to prevent potential damage to the boat.
4. Position Well: Inside the lock, make sure to leave enough space for other boats. If you're sailing alone, position your vessel in the center.
5. Mooring in the Lock Without Tying Knots: Secure the boat at both the front and rear to the bollards of the lock without tying knots.
6. Watch for Eddies: Be aware of any water movements that may occur during the filling or emptying of the lock, especially near the gates, to ensure everyone's safety.
7. Let the Line Slip While Holding Firmly: Keep the boat using the mooring lines during the lock's ascent or descent without tying knots to the cleat. It's essential to hold the lines firmly to prevent any unexpected movement of the boat.
8. Do Not Touch with Hands: It's recommended not to directly touch the lines or cleats with your hands or feet. To avoid this, it's advisable to use tools like boat hooks to handle the lines safely.
9. Wait Until the Gates Are Wide Open: Wait for the lock gates to be fully open before departing to prevent any complications.

Lock personnel are there to assist boaters and ensure the safety of their passage. It's crucial to adhere to right-of-way rules and be attentive to any instructions given by the personnel if needed.

To choose the ideal time for renting a houseboat in Franche-Comté, consider various factors, including your personal preferences. Here are some important elements to consider:

• Tourist High Season: The summer period in Franche-Comté, typically from late June to late August, is the most popular due to pleasant temperatures and school holidays. However, note that canals can be somewhat busier during this time.
• Low Season: If you're looking for more peaceful conditions and affordable rental rates, consider renting a houseboat in Franche-Comté outside the high season, such as in spring or autumn. The autumn colors enhance the landscapes.
• Local Events: Check for local events like festivals or markets that could add interest to your houseboat rental in Franche-Comté. Many of these events take place during the tourist season.
• Weather: Take into account weather conditions and temperatures. The months of May and September can offer a favorable compromise in terms of weather and visitor numbers, with pleasant temperatures.

Franche-Comté offers various navigation areas for houseboat cruises. If you choose to rent a houseboat in this region, here are the available areas:

• The Petite-Saône: It's a calm and welcoming river. During your houseboat rental in Franche-Comté, you will navigate through both wild and canalized sections of the river. There are a total of 19 locks, all automated, ensuring smooth navigation.
• The Basse-Saône: This is a calm river ideal for beginners. Your houseboat stay will involve passing some automated locks. If you sail on the Seille, you will go through manual locks.
• Round-Trip Itineraries: You can also opt for a houseboat rental in Franche-Comté on a round-trip basis. You can choose to return to your starting point, providing a more comprehensive experience of the region.

You can find detailed itinerary suggestions on our website to help you prepare for your houseboat rental in Franche-Comté.

By Car: You have the option of reaching your houseboat rental location in Franche-Comté by taking the highway, where you can park your vehicle near the departure base or reserve a parking space in advance.

By Train: The train is often a preferred mode of transportation, as it is both comfortable and environmentally friendly, for reaching your destination in Franche-Comté. French regions, including Franche-Comté, have excellent rail connections.

By Plane: If time is crucial to you and you want to save precious hours in reaching your houseboat rental location in Franche-Comté, flying can be an excellent option. You can take a flight to the nearest airport to your rental location and then rent a car or use public transportation to get there.