Boating in low season: where to go in October?

The boating season is slowly but surely coming to an end. We love this period to cruise along the water one last time: October can be nice and the last month that still feels like the last bit of summer before the beginning of the more wintery months.

Discover our tips and our best offers!

Of course, autumn and winter have their beauty (we too love snow, the advent season and the cozy winter evenings by the fire...), but every year a certain melancholy takes hold of us when we realize that the days are getting shorter and the morning is getting really cool! Why does summer always seem so much shorter than winter? October, with its autumn vacations, once again offers families the opportunity to plan a boating vacation, a small break from everyday life. People who do not depend on school vacations have even more the chance to leave when they want to, to enjoy the "golden October"!

The advantages of a boating vacation in October:

1. The waterways are much less crowded than in previous weeks. You will therefore be able to take your ease on the rivers and canals!

You will be able to navigate quietly, at your own pace, far from the crowds and tourists.

2. No waiting at the locks: you spend less time with the locks and discover more of the region.

The ideal opportunity to discover our beautiful country in a different and more authentic way: along the water and the landscapes, on board your own river boat. You will live in complete autonomy during your cruise.

3. There are more mooring places: you can therefore return to port late in the day, without having to worry about available places.

The ideal way to get the space you want, take your time during the day and moor safely in the evening.

4. The staff at the departure bases has more time for each crew: you are welcomed in the best way!

Our teams continue to welcome you in complete safety, in compliance with our new Covid-19 procedures. In addition to ensuring you have a pleasant boating vacation, your safety is our priority. For this reason, we have carefully adapted our procedures to stop the spread of the Coronavirus on our bases as much as possible. So rest assured and enjoy your next vacation with Le Boat.

5. At this time of the year, the play of colors of the trees, whose reflections in the water are superb, is particularly beautiful!

Whatever your choice of boating area, don't forget your camera! The colors are sublime and you will not be able to resist the desire to immortalize these superb landscapes.

6. This is a good time for city breaks, as the summer tourists have returned, museums and tourist sites are less crowded and you can visit them more leisurely. During your boating vacation, you can visit beautiful cities such as Amsterdam, Berlin and also Venice!

7. Lower prices than in high season make a boating vacation even more attractive. As in the rest of the tourism industry, the off-season is less expensive, and those who are flexible on dates can get big discounts on one-way cruises!

8. The off-season is also ideal for beginners, as you have plenty of space on the waterways and can practice the trickiest maneuvers without any stress.

Things to consider when boating in the off-season:

Some restaurants may have already closed in rural areas, so it is necessary to call ahead and ask about opening hours.
Don't forget to bring food supplies on your boat, so that you can cook for yourself in case you can't dine out!
Warm clothing is important: in the evening and at night, temperatures drop considerably. You should therefore have a fleece and clothes adapted to the rain, in case you encounter it during the cruise!

Our recommendations for departures in October:

Canal du Midi

The further south you go, the more likely it is that summer will still be here! The Canal du Midi, with about 300 days of sunshine a year, offers a special charm. The hustle and bustle of summer is over, the crowds of tourists on the beaches and in towns like Béziers, Agde and Carcassonne have gone home.

Camargue

In the Camargue, you can enjoy the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea and dare to take a dip in the water. Unlike the summer months, the beaches between Le Grau du Roi and Sète will be much quieter and more pleasant during this season.