Riverboats and canal holidays always look so utterly relaxing: slowing down, immersed in nature, enjoying a complete change from everyday life. And if you’re thinking ‘I’d love to, but…’ we’ll show you how easily that turns into ‘I’d love to boat’.
First things first: you don’t need a licence, and you don’t need any sailing experience to enjoy a boating holiday, because you get full instructions before you set off (more on that later). It’s like hiring a car, but instead of crawling along motorways, dealing with tailbacks and roadworks, you glide along the waterways enjoying the scenery with a bed in the back!
Where will you go?
Have you ever fancied cruising the Canal du Midi and stopping off at Carcassonne, or the river that leads you past the fairy-tale châteaux of the Loire Valley? Perhaps you’d be tempted by a route through the best French vineyards or one that tours several fabulous golf courses.There are dozens of starting points in almost any region in France, from Brittany in the northwest to Alsace in the east near Germany, down through the Loire Valley, Charente and Lot, and as far south as the Camargue on the Mediterranean. Being on a boat with your own accommodation gives you huge flexibility so you can sail as far as you wish then return to base, or you can opt to sail a one-way route, culminating in a city break before heading back home.
Forget any visions of cramped spaces, today’s boats are modern and spacious with room to move, filled with light from the many windows all around. There are even skylights on some boats, so you can lounge in bed and watch the clouds passing by as you ponder how to spend your day. Depending on the make and model of boat you choose, there are double or twin cabins, generally with ensuite shower rooms, and the sleeping quarters can be grouped together or at opposite ends of the boat, which is perfect if you’re travelling with friends.
As for the living space, you can expect bright interiors that feel welcoming even on a dull day, a dining area and fully equipped kitchen so you can whip up a gourmet meal using the fresh goodies you’ve selected in the local market. Most boats also offer outside seating if you prefer an al fresco supper, and of course there’s always the option of lounging on the riverbanks.
A word about locks
If you’ve hesitated about a boating holiday and said “I’d love to, but…”, then apprehension about handling the locks is probably the main hurdle. We don’t encounter locks in everyday life, and it’s natural to be wary about the unfamiliar, but thankfully there’s nothing to fear!
On French waterways, a lock keeper is usually available to help you through the process, not to mention other boaters who are typically more than happy to lend a hand.
Depending on the region that you choose, there can be lots of locks or very few. The hilly landscapes around Burgundy mean that you’ll encounter more locks as you move along the waterways, while down south in the Camargue, the landscape is flat, so there are almost no locks at all.
That said, you shouldn’t let the thought of locks affect your choice of destination, because once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll wonder why you were ever concerned! Pausing at a lock gives the chance to meet other friendly boaters who’ll happily chat about the route and give you tips on the best tourist sites to visit up ahead. Despite initial fears, most people will tell you that those moments at a lock are often among the highlights of their boating holiday.
Hopefully this overview has wiped out “I’d love to, but…” and left you feeling very much that you’d love to boat.
