French river cruises
Discover river cruises and canal boating in France in nine stunning regions
A boating vacation is a perfect way to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the French waterways. Discover the beauty of France and its countryside from the country’s canals and romantic rivers. With Le Boat you can explore the sights or stop at any time to relax, indulge in fine French wines and delicious food. Choose from 9 French boating destinations with distinct scenery, gastronomy, culture and charm and explore them at your own pace, aboard your houseboat rental.
To see prices and to book please explore the regions in France below.
Regions in France
Canal du Midi highlights
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Cycling
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Gastronomy
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History & Heritage
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Wine tasting
Nivernais & Loire highlights
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Gastronomy
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History & Heritage
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Wine tasting
Lot highlights
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Fishing
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Gastronomy
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Nature
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Swimming
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Water sports
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Wine tasting
Franche Comté highlights
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Fishing
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Gastronomy
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History & Heritage
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Nature
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Water sports
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Wine tasting
Aquitaine highlights
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Fishing
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Gastronomy
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History & Heritage
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Water sports
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Wine tasting
Alsace-Lorraine highlights
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Cycling
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Distillery / Brewery
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Gastronomy
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History & Heritage
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Nature
Camargue highlights
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Cycling
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Gastronomy
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Horse Back Riding
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Nature
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Swimming & seaside
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Wine tasting
Brittany highlights
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Fishing
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Gastronomy
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Golf
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History & Heritage
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Swimming
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Water sports
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Wine tasting
Charente highlights
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Fishing
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History & Heritage
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Nature
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Swimming
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Water sports
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Wine tasting
France Boating Vacations
Discover French canal boat holidays, no experience needed, no licence required. Captain your own boat as you explore France from the unique perspective of your cruiser. French river cruising is the perfect way to discover the hidden treasures of the waterways. The Canal du Midi offers a wonderful journey through the sun-drenched vineyards and pretty villages of Languedoc – France’s most prolific wine producing region. A visit to Carcassonne and Fonseranes locks is a must for your French canal boat holiday. Nivernais is reputed to be one of France’s prettiest canals providing gentle cruising through its picturesque villages and vineyards. The amazing wildlife in the Camargue will accompany your cruise as you enjoy ancient ports, historic towns and fabulous beaches. Burgundy is one of the most fascinating regions for a barge cruise in France and is often referred to as the “country of art and life”. Every one of our regions has something to offer for your France canal boat vacation.
The history of French river cruising
French houseboat vacations allow you to go where you want and do as you please. Enjoy a slower pace of life as you explore the many towns and villages along the way. Cruising in France offers the largest river network in Europe with over 100 canals and rivers creating around 800km of navigable waterways making it the ideal destination for canal boat vacations. Experience nine boating regions from a completely different perspective.
Reviews of cruising in France…
“A five star service every time! We have booked holidays with Le Boat for over 15 years and we have always had a memorable experience. Both during and before our cruise, we have always been very well informed! And always with a smile!”
Margaret P
“I will never forget my visit to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, a magnificent village perched on the cliffs of the river Lot. Its unique location, its historic buildings and its imposing church gave me the impression of being in a film: too good to be true!”
Marie J
“We arrived in a beautiful hamlet along the Canal de Nantes to Brest. We left our houseboat and put our bikes on to go downtown. We enjoyed the surroundings, we did the shopping at the local market and we returned to the boat to prepare the dinner whilst drinking a delicious local wine on board. All very relaxing and stress-free!”
Anne F
“I will always remember the wine tasting in the Loire-Nivernais region. The vineyards of Sancerre stretched along the entire canal at the Loire. At sunset the leaves went from green to a magnificent golden shade. We could taste wine at vineyards all around us. A unique experience: wine, nature, our canal boat and the waterway.”
Amandine J