SELF-DRIVE BOATS ~ HOTEL BARGES ~ RIVERBOATS

Rent your own self-drive canal boat. Charter a luxury hotel barge. Plan a marvellous riverboat cruise vacation.
Or pilot your own motor yacht through the canals to the deep blue Mediterranean.
The waterways of France provide limitless potential for fascination, exploration, culinary delights,
huge enjoyment, warm friendship – and life-long memories of French Canal Tours.

 

TOP DEALS

New cruises, excursions, itineraries and price reductions

 

  • Hire boat special offer

    LOCABOAT SELF-DRIVE DISCOUNTS FOR 2024

    25% off 1 week cruises or more…

    25% off DEADLINE 18 MAR GET DETAILS
  • River cruise special offer

    AVALON FLEET

    Prices from £1,799pp on selected sailings in 2024…

    Huge savings! DEADLINE 30 APR GET DETAILS
  • River cruise special offer

    EMERALD FLEET

    Up to 35% off…

    Up to 35% off DEADLINE 31 MAR GET DETAILS

VIEW ALL DEALS

CONTACT US AND BE INSPIRED


Discover new destinations, new perspectives and the true joys of cruising.
You can count on our unique experience and enthusiasm,
gained from 15 years and 10,000 km of cruising on the French waterways

UK and Eire flags    +44 7590 287 178     +1 405 445 0350     +61 3 9005 8569

CONTACT PAGE  ▶

Self-Drive Boating Holidays  ~  Luxury Hotel Barging  ~  Riverboat Cruising

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO CRUISE?

Take control of your cruising holiday aboard a self-drive hire (rental) boat; make your own decisions about where you go, and what you do. Charter or book a cabin aboard a luxury hotel barge for an intimate and sublimely relaxing experience. Take a memorable riverboat cruise along the beautiful major rivers.

Whichever you choose, you’ll be able to explore major towns and cities, happen-upon delightful villages and tiny hamlets, discover architectural marvels, savour authentic French cuisine and delicious wines, and revel in her cultural diversity. Immerse yourself in the glories of France from the waterways.

Self-drive boating holiday France canals

Self-Drive Canal Boating

Go your own way. Explore the pleasures and treasures of the French waterways.

Go Boating!

France waterways luxury hotel barge canal cruises

Luxury Hotel Barging

Lie back and let the skipper and crew take care of everything. Great food. Fine wine. Unique.

Go Barging!

River cruise France Seine Rhine Rhone Bordeaux Loire

Riverboat Cruises

Cruise sedately through the heart of France. Moor in the centre of historic towns and cities.

Go Cruising!

A selection of 3 holidays from 342,834 available

Europa 600 by Locaboat HolidaysFrom
6 579€
5% off!
Locaboat Holidays

Europa 600

Departure: 23 Sep 2024
Length: 14 nights
Destinations: Argens
Size: 3 cabins
Class:
Estivale Duo by NicolsFrom
3 234€
5% off!
Nicols

Estivale Duo

Departure: 30 Sep 2024
Length: 14 nights
Destinations: Le Somail
Size: 1 cabins
Class:
Horizon 2 (4+1) by LeBoatFrom
3 359€
10% off!
LeBoat

Horizon 2 (4+1)

Departure: 29 Jun 2024
Length: 7 nights
Destinations: St. Jean-de-Losne
Size: 2 cabins
Class:

Hands-On Expertise

PRACTICAL NAVIGATION

100 pages of unique resources

Printed navigation guides and maps from the best publishers
Detailed information for every navigable waterway in France
Practical guidance – fees, regulations and canal boat-handling

Showing 3 of 3,000+ cruises

AmaDolce by AmaWaterways From
£3,250pp
Garonne, Gironde
AmaWaterways

Taste of Bordeaux
ABOARD
AmaDolce

Destinations: Bordeaux, Garonne, Gironde
Class: Luxury
Departure: 18 Apr 2024
Length: 7 nights
S.S. Catherine by UNIWORLD Boutique River Cruises From
£8,899pp
Rhone, Saone
UNIWORLD Boutique River Cruises

Grand France
ABOARD
S.S. Catherine

Destinations: Arles, Paris, Rhone, Saone
Class: Luxury
Departure: 15 Sep 2024
Length: 14 nights
MS Amadeus Queen by Amadeus River Cruises From
£3,797pp
Rhine
Amadeus River Cruises

Classical Rhine Cruise
ABOARD
MS Amadeus Queen

Destinations: Basel, Amsterdam, Rhine
Class: Classic
Departure: 11 Sep 2024
Length: 7 nights

WONDERFUL DESTINATIONS

Waterway France has eight quite distinct and fascinating regions – influenced by past history and neighbouring countries as well as by geography and climate. Together they provide a glorious variety of cuisines, wines and cultures to savour and fall in love with.

DISCOVER YOUR DESTINATION

Each region has delightful waterways, just ready for you to discover
by self-drive boat, luxury hotel barge or riverboat cruise.

Yours to Discover . . .

Aquitaine

From Toulouse west to Bordeaux tranquil south-west France is a lush, rolling landscape of wine, fruit and produce. Fascinating history lies around every corner.
Explore the Garonne canal by hotel barge or self-drive boat. Journey from magnificent Bordeaux to the Medoc vineyards on a riverboat cruise.

 

Upper Loire

South of Paris the almost-secret pretty Gatinais region follows the Loing river down to the Loire Valley and the world-famous canal bridge at Briare.
The scenery then widens along the broad Loire river to the vineyards of Sancerre and the fabulous chateaux of the French nobility.

Download

FREE eGUIDES

French Waterways’ own unique PDF guides introduce some of the most interesting things
to be enjoyed on and around the enchanting rivers and canals of France.
Written and created from expert first-hand experience.

Hotel barge Finesse Beaune Burgundy

Beaune | Southern Burgundy

Multicoloured roof tiles, Boeuf Bourgignon and some of the best wines in the world await you

Explore South Burgundy

Cruise in France inspiration

Carcassonne | Canal du Midi

Romance and history inspires and delights the whole family in this unique Medieval treasure

Explore the Midi

River cruises Rhone France

Avignon | Provence

See the Pope’s Palace and the famed Pont d’Avignon in this ancient city by the river Rhone

Explore Provence

Newsletter

STAY IN TOUCH

Wherever you are in the world we’d love to send you an occasional newsletter
with cruising offers and new ideas for enjoying this fabulous country.
We respect and comply with EU law about your privacy.

New or Pre-Owned

WATERWAYS BOATS

Boats and Barges for the Inland Waterways

Motor cruisers, ex-hire fleet boats and private owner boats and barges for sale.
New and bespoke-built boats and barges.
Ownership and charter management programmes. Hotel barge businesses.

SELF-DRIVE BOATS ~ HOTEL BARGES ~ RIVERBOATS

Rent your own self-drive canal boat. Charter a luxury hotel barge. Plan a marvellous riverboat cruise vacation.
Or pilot your own motor yacht through the canals to the deep blue Mediterranean.
The waterways of France provide limitless potential for fascination, safe exploration, culinary delights,
huge enjoyment, warm friendship – and life-long memories.

 

TOP DEALS

New cruises, excursions, itineraries and price reductions

 

  • Hire boat special offer

    LOCABOAT SELF-DRIVE DISCOUNTS FOR 2024

    25% off 1 week cruises or more…

    25% off DEADLINE 18 MAR GET DETAILS
  • River cruise special offer

    AVALON FLEET

    Prices from £1,799pp on selected sailings in 2024…

    Huge savings! DEADLINE 30 APR GET DETAILS
  • River cruise special offer

    EMERALD FLEET

    Up to 35% off…

    Up to 35% off DEADLINE 31 MAR GET DETAILS

VIEW ALL DEALS

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO CRUISE?

Take control of your cruising holiday aboard a self-drive hire (rental) boat; make your own decisions about where you go, and what you do. Charter or book a cabin aboard a luxury hotel barge for an intimate and sublimely relaxing experience. Take a memorable riverboat cruise along the beautiful major rivers.

Whichever you choose, you’ll be able to explore major towns and cities, happen-upon delightful villages and tiny hamlets, discover architectural marvels, savour authentic French cuisine and delicious wines, and revel in her cultural diversity. Immerse yourself in the glories of France from the waterways.

Self-drive boating holiday France canals

Self-Drive Canal Boating

Go your own way. Explore the pleasures and treasures of the French waterways.

Go Boating!

France waterways luxury hotel barge canal cruises

Luxury Hotel Barging

Lie back and let the skipper and crew take care of everything. Great food. Fine wine. Unique.

Go Barging!

River cruise France Seine Rhine Rhone Bordeaux Loire

Riverboat Cruises

Cruise sedately through the heart of France. Moor in the centre of historic towns and cities.

Go Cruising!

A selection of 3 holidays from 342,834 available

Europa 600 by Locaboat HolidaysFrom
6 579€
5% off!
Locaboat Holidays

Europa 600

Departure: 23 Sep 2024
Length: 14 nights
Destinations: Argens
Size: 3 cabins
Class:
Estivale Duo by NicolsFrom
3 234€
5% off!
Nicols

Estivale Duo

Departure: 30 Sep 2024
Length: 14 nights
Destinations: Le Somail
Size: 1 cabins
Class:
Horizon 2 (4+1) by LeBoatFrom
3 359€
10% off!
LeBoat

Horizon 2 (4+1)

Departure: 29 Jun 2024
Length: 7 nights
Destinations: St. Jean-de-Losne
Size: 2 cabins
Class:

Hands-On Expertise

PRACTICAL NAVIGATION

100 pages of unique resources

Printed navigation guides and maps from the best publishers
Detailed information for every navigable waterway in France
Practical guidance – fees, regulations and canal boat-handling

Showing 3 of 3,000+ cruises

AmaDolce by AmaWaterways From
£3,250pp
Garonne, Gironde
AmaWaterways

Taste of Bordeaux
ABOARD
AmaDolce

Destinations: Bordeaux, Garonne, Gironde
Class: Luxury
Departure: 18 Apr 2024
Length: 7 nights
S.S. Catherine by UNIWORLD Boutique River Cruises From
£8,899pp
Rhone, Saone
UNIWORLD Boutique River Cruises

Grand France
ABOARD
S.S. Catherine

Destinations: Arles, Paris, Rhone, Saone
Class: Luxury
Departure: 15 Sep 2024
Length: 14 nights
MS Amadeus Queen by Amadeus River Cruises From
£3,797pp
Rhine
Amadeus River Cruises

Classical Rhine Cruise
ABOARD
MS Amadeus Queen

Destinations: Basel, Amsterdam, Rhine
Class: Classic
Departure: 11 Sep 2024
Length: 7 nights

WONDERFUL DESTINATIONS

Waterway France has eight quite distinct and fascinating regions – influenced by past history and neighbouring countries as well as by geography and climate. Together they provide a glorious variety of cuisines, wines and cultures to savour and fall in love with.

DISCOVER YOUR DESTINATION

Each region has delightful waterways, just ready for you to discover
by self-drive boat, luxury hotel barge or riverboat cruise.

Yours to Discover . . .

Aquitaine

From Toulouse west to Bordeaux tranquil south-west France is a lush, rolling landscape of wine, fruit and produce. Fascinating history lies around every corner.
Explore the Garonne canal by hotel barge or self-drive boat. Journey from magnificent Bordeaux to the Medoc vineyards on a riverboat cruise.

 

Upper Loire

South of Paris the almost-secret pretty Gatinais region follows the Loing river down to the Loire Valley and the world-famous canal bridge at Briare.
The scenery then widens along the broad Loire river to the vineyards of Sancerre and the fabulous chateaux of the French nobility.

Download

FREE eGUIDES

French Waterways’ own unique PDF guides introduce some of the most interesting things
to be enjoyed on and around the enchanting rivers and canals of France.
Written and created from expert first-hand experience.

Hotel barge Finesse Beaune Burgundy

Beaune | Southern Burgundy

Multicoloured roof tiles, Boeuf Bourgignon and some of the best wines in the world await you

Explore South Burgundy

Cruise in France inspiration

Carcassonne | Canal du Midi

Romance and history inspires and delights the whole family in this unique Medieval treasure

Explore the Midi

River cruises Rhone France

Avignon | Provence

See the Pope’s Palace and the famed Pont d’Avignon in this ancient city by the river Rhone

Explore Provence

CONTACT US AND BE INSPIRED


Discover new destinations, new perspectives and the true joys of cruising.
You can count on our unique experience and enthusiasm,
gained from 15 years and 10,000 km of cruising on the French waterways

  +61 3 9005 8569   ~or~   +33 6 09 74 00 64 

CONTACT PAGE  ▶

Self-Drive Boating Holidays  ~  Luxury Hotel Barging  ~  Riverboat Cruising

Newsletter

STAY IN TOUCH

Wherever you are in the world we’d love to send you an occasional newsletter
with cruising offers and new ideas for enjoying this fabulous country.
We respect and comply with EU law about your privacy.

New or Pre-Owned

WATERWAYS BOATS

Boats and Barges for the Inland Waterways

Motor cruisers, ex-hire fleet boats and private owner boats and barges for sale.
New and bespoke-built boats and barges.
Ownership and charter management programmes. Hotel barge businesses.

SELF-DRIVE BOATS ~ HOTEL BARGES ~ RIVERBOATS

Rent your own self-drive canal boat. Charter a luxury hotel barge. Plan a marvellous riverboat cruise vacation.
Or pilot your own motor yacht through the canals to the deep blue Mediterranean.
The waterways of France provide limitless potential for fascination, safe exploration, culinary delights,
huge enjoyment, warm friendship – and life-long memories.

 

TOP DEALS

New cruises, excursions, itineraries and price reductions

 

  • Hire boat special offer

    LOCABOAT SELF-DRIVE DISCOUNTS FOR 2024

    25% off 1 week cruises or more…

    25% off DEADLINE 18 MAR GET DETAILS
  • River cruise special offer

    AVALON FLEET

    Prices from £1,799pp on selected sailings in 2024…

    Huge savings! DEADLINE 30 APR GET DETAILS
  • River cruise special offer

    EMERALD FLEET

    Up to 35% off…

    Up to 35% off DEADLINE 31 MAR GET DETAILS

VIEW ALL DEALS

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO CRUISE?

Take control of your cruising holiday aboard a self-drive hire (rental) boat; make your own decisions about where you go, and what you do. Charter or book a cabin aboard a luxury hotel barge for an intimate and sublimely relaxing experience. Take a memorable riverboat cruise along the beautiful major rivers.

Whichever you choose, you’ll be able to explore major towns and cities, happen-upon delightful villages and tiny hamlets, discover architectural marvels, savour authentic French cuisine and delicious wines, and revel in her cultural diversity. Immerse yourself in the glories of France from the waterways.

Self-drive boating holiday France canals

Self-Drive Canal Boating

Go your own way. Explore the pleasures and treasures of the French waterways.

Go Boating!

France waterways luxury hotel barge canal cruises

Luxury Hotel Barging

Lie back and let the skipper and crew take care of everything. Great food. Fine wine. Unique.

Go Barging!

River cruise France Seine Rhine Rhone Bordeaux Loire

Riverboat Cruises

Cruise sedately through the heart of France. Moor in the centre of historic towns and cities.

Go Cruising!

A selection of 3 holidays from 342,834 available

Europa 600 by Locaboat HolidaysFrom
6 579€
5% off!
Locaboat Holidays

Europa 600

Departure: 23 Sep 2024
Length: 14 nights
Destinations: Argens
Size: 3 cabins
Class:
Estivale Duo by NicolsFrom
3 234€
5% off!
Nicols

Estivale Duo

Departure: 30 Sep 2024
Length: 14 nights
Destinations: Le Somail
Size: 1 cabins
Class:
Horizon 2 (4+1) by LeBoatFrom
3 359€
10% off!
LeBoat

Horizon 2 (4+1)

Departure: 29 Jun 2024
Length: 7 nights
Destinations: St. Jean-de-Losne
Size: 2 cabins
Class:

Hands-On Expertise

PRACTICAL NAVIGATION

100 pages of unique resources

Printed navigation guides and maps from the best publishers
Detailed information for every navigable waterway in France
Practical guidance – fees, regulations and canal boat-handling

Showing 3 of 3,000+ cruises

AmaDolce by AmaWaterways From
£3,250pp
Garonne, Gironde
AmaWaterways

Taste of Bordeaux
ABOARD
AmaDolce

Destinations: Bordeaux, Garonne, Gironde
Class: Luxury
Departure: 18 Apr 2024
Length: 7 nights
S.S. Catherine by UNIWORLD Boutique River Cruises From
£8,899pp
Rhone, Saone
UNIWORLD Boutique River Cruises

Grand France
ABOARD
S.S. Catherine

Destinations: Arles, Paris, Rhone, Saone
Class: Luxury
Departure: 15 Sep 2024
Length: 14 nights
MS Amadeus Queen by Amadeus River Cruises From
£3,797pp
Rhine
Amadeus River Cruises

Classical Rhine Cruise
ABOARD
MS Amadeus Queen

Destinations: Basel, Amsterdam, Rhine
Class: Classic
Departure: 11 Sep 2024
Length: 7 nights

WONDERFUL DESTINATIONS

Waterway France has eight quite distinct and fascinating regions – influenced by past history and neighbouring countries as well as by geography and climate. Together they provide a glorious variety of cuisines, wines and cultures to savour and fall in love with.

DISCOVER YOUR DESTINATION

Each region has delightful waterways, just ready for you to discover
by self-drive boat, luxury hotel barge or riverboat cruise.

Yours to Discover . . .

Aquitaine

From Toulouse west to Bordeaux tranquil south-west France is a lush, rolling landscape of wine, fruit and produce. Fascinating history lies around every corner.
Explore the Garonne canal by hotel barge or self-drive boat. Journey from magnificent Bordeaux to the Medoc vineyards on a riverboat cruise.

 

Upper Loire

South of Paris the almost-secret pretty Gatinais region follows the Loing river down to the Loire Valley and the world-famous canal bridge at Briare.
The scenery then widens along the broad Loire river to the vineyards of Sancerre and the fabulous chateaux of the French nobility.

Download

FREE eGUIDES

French Waterways’ own unique PDF guides introduce some of the most interesting things
to be enjoyed on and around the enchanting rivers and canals of France.
Written and created from expert first-hand experience.

Hotel barge Finesse Beaune Burgundy

Beaune | Southern Burgundy

Multicoloured roof tiles, Boeuf Bourgignon and some of the best wines in the world await you

Explore South Burgundy

Cruise in France inspiration

Carcassonne | Canal du Midi

Romance and history inspires and delights the whole family in this unique Medieval treasure

Explore the Midi

River cruises Rhone France

Avignon | Provence

See the Pope’s Palace and the famed Pont d’Avignon in this ancient city by the river Rhone

Explore Provence

CONTACT US AND BE INSPIRED


Discover new destinations, new perspectives and the true joys of cruising.
You can count on our unique experience and enthusiasm,
gained from 15 years and 10,000 km of cruising on the French waterways

  +1 405 445 0350   ~or~   +33 6 09 74 00 64 

CONTACT PAGE  ▶

Self-Drive Boating Holidays  ~  Luxury Hotel Barging  ~  Riverboat Cruising

Newsletter

STAY IN TOUCH

Wherever you are in the world we’d love to send you an occasional newsletter
with cruising offers and new ideas for enjoying this fabulous country.
We respect and comply with EU law about your privacy.

New or Pre-Owned

WATERWAYS BOATS

Boats and Barges for the Inland Waterways

Motor cruisers, ex-hire fleet boats and private owner boats and barges for sale.
New and bespoke-built boats and barges.
Ownership and charter management programmes. Hotel barge businesses.