Nivernais is reputed to be one of France’s prettiest canals providing gentle cruising through its … Let's navigate in England, Belgium, Ireland, The Netherlands, on the Canal du midi and discover the Brittany, Burgundy, river Lot, Camargue. A nice breeze, being surrounded by friends and family, and the best views around equal paradise. 250 boat models, 12 countries, 28 Boating regions and 115 departure bases. View all our boating holidays in France. There's a Locks Festival at the site in June. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since … Choose from over 400 French built Penichette self-drive boats in different styles and specifications. The perfect way to discover the country is on a french canal cruise. There are some impressive engineering feats along its course which are now regarded as historic works of art. If you want to see the best of European sights and exquisite waterways, you will find them in Italy. Locaboat Holidays has been the industry specialist for boating holidays and waterways cruises since 1977. Topics include Transportation, Dining Scene, For Foreign Visitors & more! Southern France’s Camargue is slightly more modern, with a beautiful sunny climate and the closeness of the Mediterranean sea. Go Barging covers England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic. The Venetian lagoon is vast, cut through with canals, and it offers a unique experience for travelers who love boating. In France, every path you take is enchanting, and experiencing it fully is a wonderful feeling. … you can either take our photos and text and just give us credit with a link to this blog post. Pricing Details – Boating holidays in France (Brittany) with Le Boat The Dukes of Brittany Cruise – One-way from Nort-sur-Erdre to Messac, via La Roche Bernard. The country will welcome you with a pure delight for all the senses. This post on boating in France … But even more so than sailing the canals of Venice itself, the Italian coast is a highlight itself. Every waterway is a beautiful one there, especially when, Germany might not be the first place you think of when the best canal and riverboat holidays in Europe are mentioned. The Cheapest Train Tickets Website In The World, https://iframely.com/embed/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.saveatrain.com%2Fblog%2Fbest-canal-river-boat-holidays%2F, https://www.saveatrain.com/routes_sitemap.xml, https://www.saveatrain.com/ru_routes_sitemap.xml, 10 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns In Europe, 7 Most Amazing Football Stadiums In Europe. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore Germany in this unique and relaxing way. travel plans. Reading Time: 5 minutes (Last Updated On: 26/09/2020) Travelers looking for the Best Canal and River Boat Holidays in Europe can rest easy knowing Europe has terrific sights.However, to know where to go for the best sailing vacation ever, you have to do some research. For example, Bruges is certainly worth visiting, and exploring it by canals makes the trip even more exciting. Rent a boat on the majestic Saône, one of the most … Every waterway is a beautiful one there, especially when the weather is good. If you want a relaxing holiday, taking a slow boat up a French canal is hard to beat. Let’s get into some tips for boat holidays in France canals… Tips for boat holidays in France canals. Move on to River Brenta or Sile River for more scenic tours of the Italian countryside. Still travelling west, you will pass through Castelnaudary (home of cassoulet), before crossing the border into Midi Pyrenees, and on to Toulouse, where the Canal du Midi joins another canal which runs beside the river Garonne all the way to the Atlantic. However, your German canal and riverboat holiday adventure could also take you towards Potsdam and Brandenburg. Another impressive sight is the Malpas Tunnel, reported to be the first tunnel ever built for a navigable canal. We have looked at the Loire/Burgandy area, this looks nice but some of the reviews … The town was the birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, a former tax inspector who masterminded the canal and sunk his fortune into it. The Béziers Tourist Office (www.beziers-tourisme.fr) for more about the Locks Festival at Fonseranes, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. France has an amazing 8,000 km (5,000 miles) of wonderful navigable rivers and canals. Book today. Answer 1 of 42: I have been searching the internet for weeks trying to decide on a canal trip in France. My … Built by Pierre-Paul Riquet in the 17th century, the Canal du Midi was made a UNESCO heritage site in 1996 and is … Perhaps no other place can boast such smooth sailing through, If you want to be kind to your users, you can guide them directly into our search pages. For starters, you can visit the enchanting islands Torcello, Burano, and Murano that have a lot to offer. However, this country is far from lacking in beautiful waterways to explore. While a lot of industrial canalside buildings are left to fall into disrepair, … Sail your way to delicious Belgian handmade chocolates, or vibrant and robust Belgian beers. As it travels through the landscape of Languedoc Roussillon, the Canal is extremely picturesque, often serene, and shaded for much of its length by trees. At an average leisurely speed of 5 kilometres an hour, plus the days spent exploring all the … A visit to Carcassonne and Fonseranes locks is a must for your French canal boat holidays. Finally, Aquitaine will capture your heart as you cruise through its luscious valleys, look at its waterfalls and breathtaking cliffs. In this link, you will find our most popular train routes –, Copyright © 2020 - Save A Train, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Far better to just sit back in the shade of the plane trees, enjoy the scenery, and let all your troubles float away. • Several companies offer boat hire on the Canal du Midi, including Locaboat and … What’s more, in urban areas there are also charming little cafes to see. Don't leave without a present - Get Coupons and News ! Further west, the Canal passes through Carcassonne, one of the most photographed French towns, with its medieval citadel perched on a hill. more. Nearby you can explore the historic site of Ensérune and the pretty town of Capestang. Nestled in the Languedoc wine region, the Canal du Midi is an ideal location for wine tasting holidays. A visit to Carcassonne and Fonseranes locks is a must for your French canal boat holidays. Burgundy Saône. Imagine looking at the tulips swaying in the breeze while passing through the Frisian region. Boats are available for weekly hire, as well as for short breaks and longer periods. This bonus is the Flemish region and the beauty of its waterways. A canal boat holiday is an enjoyable (and extremely relaxing) way to explore Burgundy Credit: Andia The only drawback is the fact that the locks close for lunch. Please take this into account when making your While you’re traveling the Camargue, you can study the lush nature and birdlife. France is at its best away from the main tourist trails, and canals like the Briare, Nivernais, Burgundy and Canal du Midi … Do you want to embed our blog post onto your site? If you want, spend time in one of their many specialist shops. If not, you can always sail on to the city of Venice itself. Travelers looking for the Best Canal and River Boat Holidays in Europe can rest easy knowing Europe has terrific sights. TOP FIVE MOST POPULAR BOATING HOLIDAYS IN FRANCE Everybody has heard of the Canal du Midi, after all it is France’s most famous canal! The most important thing is to choose a region and then a boat or … Sail your way to delicious Belgian, The Dutch countryside and its waterways offer a great experience. Béziers itself is worth a visit, even an extended stopover. There are five countries with fantastic canal and riverboat holiday … Prices … And those who love nature will undoubtedly enjoy the unspoiled wilderness and richness of the wildlife. and, as such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated and cannot be Penichette holiday bases on the major canals and … There’s a multitude of routes to take, including sailing down the River Charente. Then there is Ypres, a stunning place full of historical significance and unique Flemish sights, sounds, and flavors. Italy’s got plenty to offer with its beautiful rivers, and the canals of Venice are a must-see. The pace is slow but just because you're on the water it doesn't mean you can't also enjoy a little of life's finer things as you float along. 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. Each boat listed below has its own separate page of details, photographs and an enquiry form. French boat hire on the Canal de Bourgogne and Canal du Nivernais, Canal de Garonne and Canal du Midi Two regions stand out from the rest: Mecklenburg and Brandenburg, with their, For example, Bruges is certainly worth visiting, and exploring it by canals, Then there is Ypres, a stunning place full of historical significance and unique Flemish sights, sounds, and flavors. Dear Simon, Thank you for taking the time to write a five star review of your boating holiday in France. It stretches for more than 170 metres. From noon … There is a certain romance in the air of Bruges, similar to Venice. Please note that the discussion was closed to any additional postings as of Nov 1, 2016 The Sophie Butler report: Canal holidays in France. Nivernais is reputed to be one of France’s prettiest canals providing gentle cruising through its … What’s certain is that you’re going to have some famous canal and river rides on these holidays. There are over 2700 miles of inland waterways in France and an integral part of this system is a 750-mile network of french canals linking up the main french rivers. There's a statue of Riquet in the town, where the main drag is named after him. Along the way, cruising down the Midi, you can see Le Somail and Carcassonne, two charming medieval settlements. Or click here: https://iframely.com/embed/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.saveatrain.com%2Fblog%2Fbest-canal-river-boat-holidays%2F– (Scroll down a little to see the Embed Code), My blog writing is the easiest way to get highly relevant, researched, and professionally written content, I try to make it as engaging as I possibly can. One of the most relaxing and pleasant ways to explore southern France is by taking a holiday on the Canal du Midi, which was built in the 17th century to link the Atlantic with the Mediterranean, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Luxury French canal boat holidays. Here are Drifters’ Top 11 canal boat holidays for 2021: Explore the Staffordshire countryside from Kings Orchard – in March 2021, Drifters will be opening a new narrowboat hire base at Kings Orchard Marina ... Look out for otters on the Montgomery Canal … A seven-night self-drive cruise … - You can click here to, Best Canal And River Boat Holidays In Europe, Travelers looking for the Best Canal and River Boat Holidays in Europe can rest easy knowing Europe has, France is a beautiful country with many possible destinations for a channel or riverboat, Southern France’s Camargue is slightly more, When you think of channels and Italy, the first thing that comes to mind is, For starters, you can visit the enchanting islands Torcello, Burano, and Murano that have a lot to offer. Sometimes one-way journeys are possible, but that's not necessarily the most relaxing way to travel, since the start and finish may be a fair distance apart, meaning you have to clock up a lot of miles to reach your end point in time. Don't miss the canal bridge which takes boats across the river Orb. This article contains a discussion by Tripadvisor members concerning the above topic. Different sources quote from 7 to 9 locks, but there are certainly a lot of them, and they take the canal across a height difference of more than 20 metres. The Languedoc Roussillon tourism committee (www.sunfrance.net/UK) for information on the Canal du Midi in the Languedoc Roussillon region. Each of them has unique qualities. Planning a Riverboat Vacation in Europe? Boat holiday specialist in France since 1997. The first is Canal du Midi, a World Heritage Site and the oldest artificial waterway in Europe that still follows its original course. However, to know where to go for the best sailing vacation ever, you have to do some research. But boating isn’t always so easy breezy. No list of best European destinations can be complete without the Netherlands. Book Your Train Tickets with Save A Train and enjoy! Boating in France allows you to enjoy the sights and sounds of this amazing country. The pace of life is relaxed and lulls you into unwinding as you cruise this … France Afloat is unique in being both a family business and actually being based in France. If you want, spend time in one of their many specialist shops. We have created a partnership with the 4 largest boat rental company in France. commented on by travelers at this time. Luxury French boating holidays … And the charming medieval structures and chocolate shops only add to the atmosphere. Here is a list of the main UK operators and … When you rent a boat from Locaboat, … France canal boating holidays. Canal du Midi This is the canal which featured in Rick Stein’s ‘French Odyssey’. That includes destinations that offer the best channel and riverboat holidays in Europe. Gloucester Docks. The Canal itself, which starts in Toulouse and finishes in the Thau Lagoon near Sète, has 175 miles of navigable waterway. These include the series of locks at Fonseranes, near Béziers. There are five countries with fantastic canal and riverboat holiday options. I have owned a narrowboat in the UK but this was my most memorable experience. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. When you think of channels and Italy, the first thing that comes to mind is Venice. A few of France’s regions stand out in that regard: the Midi, region of Aquitaine, and the Camargue. A visit to Carcassonne … While the Belgian waterways aren’t traditional in the sense of offering breathtaking rural surroundings, they can certainly take you to some exciting places. Germany might not be the first place you think of when the best canal and riverboat holidays in Europe are mentioned. Ten (or more) people can enjoy a great boating holiday … And if you love good food and great wine, you can try Midi’s famous Minervois and Corbieres, and cassoulet, a local delicacy. You can visit them all, or choose the one that appeals to you most. Top 6 Canals to Cruise in France. This work of Pierre Paul Riquet completed in 1681. Discover the best of canal boat holidays in Burgundy and navigating on one of the most famous canals in France – the Canal de Bourgogne. If you visit during late August, you can see the nautical jousting tournaments for which the town is famous. We have all lived and worked on the inland waterways of France for many years and can offer the friendly, informed, personal advice that you need to choose the perfect boating holiday. Inventor of the Pénichette ®, Locaboat is as famous for the friendliness and quality of its customer service as for the comfort and easy handling of its boats. At the Mediterranean end of the Canal, the seaside town and port of Sète makes a fine starting point for a journey. As you'd expect the barges are wider than narrowboats and accommodate six to 12 people. However, this country is far from lacking in beautiful waterways to explore. The town is colourful, lively and has a fine selection of seafood restaurants. Imagine passing by traditional-looking Dutch windmills, with their recognizable appearance and charm. On your Canal du Midi cruise, tour vineyards, visit wine caves and taste free samples. The Dutch countryside and its waterways offer a great experience. Here are our top five best canal and riverboat holidays in Europe: France is a beautiful country with many possible destinations for a channel or riverboat holiday. Here are selected details from French Waterways’ comprehensive directory of self-drive hire boats in France. One of the most relaxing and pleasant ways to explore southern France is by taking a holiday on the Canal du Midi, which was built in the 17th century to link the Atlantic with the … If not, you can always sail on to the city of Venice itself. The country of waterways had to find its place on the list, owing to its stunning views, scenic routes and the ease and tranquility of sailing. Perhaps no other place can boast such smooth sailing through tiny villages and next to so many beautiful sights. Berlin itself has more bridges than even Venice does, and almost 100 canals to explore. Two regions stand out from the rest: Mecklenburg and Brandenburg, with their fascinating canals and lakes surrounded by lush forests. Boating holidays in the Burgundy Saône Franche Comté area provide the ideal way to explore a unique waterways region. Belgium has a great bonus on its side when it comes to the best canal and riverboat holidays in Europe. Barge holidays and motor boat holidays can be taken from many places along the Canal. BOATING HOLIDAY FRANCE GUIDE Choosing the right boating holiday in France can be easy if you follow my 3-step guide! 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