Be captain of your own ship and experience France on your terms, from a stunningly different perspective. Self-drive hire boating is not all Chablis and relaxation – you have steer and navigate locks. But it is a probably the most relaxing self-drive holiday you’ll have. In fact, with so many hire boat bases around France, the hardest part of all is deciding where you to want to cruise from.

Hire boats come in all shapes and sizes, whether there are two of you or 10. With no prior boating experience required, this guide reaffirms what a wonderful holiday hire boating offers with just enough adventure for those looking to learn a new skill along the way too.