Newbie? What are self-drive
boating holidays?
Read our introduction,
view our video and
get the information!
Why take a Self-Drive Boating Holiday In France?
It’s simply an ideal way to explore and experience the pleasures and treasures that the waterways in France have to offer. Hire boats come in different designs and sizes – to suit a couple, a family or you and your group of friends – and your holiday can be booked with any of the reputable companies to be found here.
- Hundreds of boats to choose from
- Thousands of kilometres of canals to explore
- You’re in charge of when and where you stop
- Perfect for ‘absolute beginners’ – no qualifications required!
- Great for couples, families, groups – and pets!
See also take your dog on a self-drive boating holiday and cruises for young people
A selection of 3 holidays from 329,340 available
3 996€
Estivale Octo
Departure: | 13 Jul 2024 |
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Length: | 7 nights |
Destinations: | Le Somail → Port Lauragais |
Size: | 4 cabins |
Class: |
1 239€25% off!
2000 Cirrus B (2+2)
Departure: | 21 Apr 2025 |
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Length: | 7 nights |
Destinations: | Castelnaudary |
Size: | 1 cabins |
Class: |
2 205€25% off!
Pénichette Evolution 950E Hybrid
Departure: | 04 May 2024 |
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Length: | 7 nights |
Destinations: | Dompierre sur Besbre |
Size: | 2 cabins |
Class: |
Boat Hire in France: The Best Holiday Experiences
There are plenty of self-drive hire boats available throughout France, with sizes and configurations to suit all kinds of guests.
The Self Drive Boats Fleet
Do you need previous experience or qualifications? No!
You’ll be given whatever guidance you need before you set out.
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- Simple controls, rather like driving a car
- Basic waterways ‘rules of the road’
- Boats are in immaculate condition, well-equipped and well-maintained
- Ready to drive away from the hire-boat base of your choice
- Choose an A to B or do a ‘there-and-back’ trip
- Take your family dog, too
- Choose your destination, find your perfect boat and book with our
trusted boating holiday providers.
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Our Partners in France
We’ve partnered with the best four self-drive fleets to offer a huge range of boats
of all styles, sizes and price-points. Each fleet has its own bases placed along the canals throughout France.
FAQs about Self-Drive Boat Hire In France
Where can I cruise on a self-drive hire boat?
Almost anywhere! There are over a hundred hire boat bases throughout France that each keep a (limited) number of differently-sized boats for couples, families and groups. The major rivers, however, are out of bounds – the Seine (including Paris), the Rhine, Rhone and the Gironde – because they are too busy with commercial traffic or have strong currents or tides.
Can I take a one-way cruise? If so, how do I get back to my car?
What's included in the price of hiring the boat?
When you collect your boat it will be freshly cleaned and set up with a gas bottle, a full tank of diesel and a full tank of water to last your week. It will also have a fully fitted kitchen – the luxury boats are modern and very high-spec – and all bedding required. A full list of extras will be supplied with your booking form, so you can purchase additional items such as cleaning kit, bar-b-cue and bikes to carry on board.
This will be our first time. Is it easy to drive a hire-boat?
Yes, but it’s not quite like a car. Steering may require a few complete turns of the wheel in order to head in the direction you want and some boats have a joy stick. Some boats also have a bow and stern thruster to assist movement sideways. Don’t worry, instruction is given before you set off. Travel by boat on the canals is s-l-o-w and speeding destroys not only your peaceful holiday but the canal banks too. We recommend that the ladies drive the boat and the men do the rope work; techniques develop with practice but the latter requires more physical strength.
Our Unique Expertise – France, Cruising the Waterways and Self-Drive Boating
We’ve explored the rivers and canals of France on our own boat since 2003, logging up over 10,000km along most waterways, in most regions, at all times of year.
Independent, impartial and enthusiastic, we have personally visited and know every fleet and many of their boats published here.
Popular French Self-Drive Boat Routes
Delve into the different regions to discover more about each destination’s opportunities.
The concentrated richness of scenery, history, culture, leisure and pleasure is such that even just a few weeks spent voyaging the canals and rivers of one small part of France is an experience you’ll never forget. Such a variety of places and scenes, such a variety of different waterways to explore and people to make friends with.
France has an amazing 8,000 km (5,000 miles) of wonderful navigable rivers and canals. Cruising at a leisurely speed of 5km an hour, with days spent exploring all the fascinating places along the way, means many happy holidays waiting for you ahead!