Canal boat holidays in France
Discover French canal holidays in nine stunning regions
Fall in love with the French way of life with canal boat holidays in France from Le Boat, Europe’s number one boating holiday company!
A boat holiday in France is a perfect way to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the French waterways. Discover the beauty of the countryside from the country’s canals and romantic rivers, explore the sights, or stop at any time to relax and indulge in fine French wines and delicious food. Choose from nine regions with distinct scenery, gastronomy, culture, and charm, and explore them at your own pace aboard your self-drive boat.
Regions in France
Nivernais & Loire highlights
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Gastronomy
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History & Heritage
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Wine tasting
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Boating holidays in France
Discover boat holidays in France, no experience needed, no license required. Captain your own boat as you explore France from the unique perspective of your cruiser.
Boating holidays are 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 the Languedoc – France’s most prolific wine producing region. A visit to Carcassonne and Fonseranes locks is a must for your French canal boat vacation. 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 of France and is often referred to as the “country of art and life”. The River Lot is set within lush vineyards and limestone cliffs, making it one of the most scenic regions for canal boating in France.
The history of canal holidays in France
France offers the largest river network in Europe with over 100 canals and rivers. This creates around 800km of navigable waterways making it the ideal destination for a canal boating holiday in France. Boaters have been enjoying the canals for hundreds of years — Canal du Midi was completed in 1694 to connect the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful waterways in France. Soak up a bit of this history as you cruise slowly down the canal, past the medieval city of Carcassonne.
Reviews of boating holidays in France…
“A five star service every time! We have booked holidays with Emerald Star 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