Frequently Asked Questions

First of all, it depends on the crew. For each of the boats you will find icons like this one indicating the composition of the crew best suited to this boat. For example: for 4 couples (8 adults), choose a boat with this icon , this boat will have 4 double cabins. Then it will depend on the level of comfort/equipment desired: the boats are classified by stars: from 1 (old boat poorly equipped) to 5 (new boat with exceptional comfort and equipment).
NB: it is not necessary to take a boat bigger than necessary; if you are 2 couples, no use to take a 3 cabin boat, it is better to take a 2 cabin boat, but more comfortable.

The boats are designed to be used by people who do not have a licence or any experience. They are therefore easy to operate, especially if they are equipped with a bow thruster. For more boats over 10 m, it is a very useful equipment.

Sheets are provided on all boats (except Eau Claire 930, 1130 and Espade 850 Fly). Towels and kitchen linen are provided on many boats, otherwise it is possible to rent them on site by pre-booking and paying for them on the day of departure.

The double steering position (inside and outside) with terrace, bow thruster (for boats over 10 m) and electric toilets (present on almost all boats) are very useful for a successful cruise. On some 4 and 5 star boats you will also find a microwave, a sun awning (bimini) and an air conditioning/cooling system which can also be very pleasant.

Yes, to date we offer 2 electric boats: the Estivale Sixto Green and the Péniche S. Both are available in Alsace, where VNF (Voie Navigable de France) has installed a charging network on terminals allowing these boats to be autonomous. On these boats, there is no navigation fee (fuel) to be paid on return from the rental, but a daily fee (between €45 and €50) to be paid on booking or on the day of departure, covering all the costs of recharging and network structure.

This is possible on all boats equipped with a 220 v plug when the boat is connected to a dock (be careful, depending on the region, you will not have access to an electrical terminal every day). On boats equipped with 220 V continuously (4 and 5 star boats) this will be possible at the quayside (when the boat is connected) but also during navigation (integrated generator).

The boats have a 12 v electricity network (similar to that of a car), except boats equipped with a generator (such as the fleet Vision, Royal Mystique, Estivale Octo Fly or Horizon) . So in most boats you will have a 12V plug (cigarette lighter type) available on the boat's inner dashboard. On some boats, a 12v->220v converter is integrated, on others you can rent this equipment on the day of departure (pre-booked before your departure).

We recommend that you use the water on board for the bathroom and the kitchen only. It is not recommended to drink it. We suggest you to bring water bottles to drink during your cruise.

It will be necessary to top up the water every 2 days. On the river guide you will find the locations of these water points. This supply is free or paid for, depending on the region.

No. The engine hour meter (engine hour meter, same as a car meter, but in operating hour) is read on the day of departure, as well as on the return trip. You will then pay the motor hours used x boat navigation package (from 7 € to 14 € depending on the boats), unless you have opted for a Package including the navigation package.

Yes, on all boats you will find a refrigerator (the size varies according to the capacity of the boat), a gas cooker with at least 2 burners, an oven (except in the Linssen), as well as all the necessary equipment (frying pans, pots, pans, colander, plates, cutlery...). Some boats are also equipped with a microwave and/or dishwasher.

Yes, on all boats. However, plan a rather long extension, because most of the time the plug will be located on the boat's inner dashboard (on the fleet Vision, Royal Mystique, Estivale Octo Fly and Horizon, there is a 220 V socket in each cabin) and if necessary plan to rent a 12v->220 v converter, if the boat is not equipped.

It should be noted that all regions are accessible to novices, except the Lot, which requires some navigation skills. The choice is made according to your desires and the region you want to discover. Once you have chosen the region, you must choose between a round trip cruise (return to the starting point) or a one-way trip (you drop the boat off at another base). It should be noted that a one-way ticket is only possible for cruises of at least one week and involves costs: one-way supplement (between €100 and €200) + if necessary, transfer of the vehicle (between €100 and €300). About 90% of the rentals are made on a round-trip cruise.

There is no region not recommended for children. A one-week cruise goes by very quickly, the children don't have time to get bored. Just know that swimming is not possible everywhere, the most suitable regions for swimming are the Camargue, Le Lot, Mayenne, Petite Saône and Charente. In Camargue, you will sail as close as possible to the Mediterranean and you can go swimming directly in the sea in many places.

In France, except on the Lot, you will not have to manage the boat's waste water. In England, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands and on the Lot, the black water must be drained every 2 or 3 days at your expense. Grey water will be drained by the base upon your return, at no extra charge.

These are boats specifically designed to be rented to people without a licence and without experience. They must meet certain requirements, such as a maximum of 12 people and a maximum length of 14.99 m. You can only navigate on certain rivers (for example, navigation on the Rhône, Seine or Loire is prohibited with this type of boat without a licence). On the day of departure, you will receive training, between 30 minutes and 1 hour, explaining how the boat works, how to pass through locks and how to moor the boat. After this initiation, the base will give you a pleasure card, which will serve as a permit for the duration of the stay.

Yes, without any problem. In 2019, 63% of our customers rented a boat without a licence for the first time.

Except the Lot, which requires experience, all other regions are accessible for novices.

No. There's still a little apprehension about the passage of the 1st lock, but then it's over. Note that except in Charente and on Lot, the locks are either operated by lock operators or electric, so you have no handling to do except hold the mooring lines.

Depending on the number of visitors, it takes between 20 min and 30 min (excluding waiting time in July/August on the Canal du Midi).

Here is a link showing you a video explaining the passage of a lock.

It depends on the waterways. Generally speaking, on canals, there is no problem to moor in the middle of nature, however on most rivers, this is either impossible or inadvisable.

No. However, it is strongly recommended for children who cannot swim or for parents' first experience of sailing..

Between 6 km/h and 10 km/h, depending on the current and wind.

You can sail from sunrise to sunset. However, when there are lock keepers (which is the case on most waterways), you will be limited to the working hours of the lock keepers, which vary during the season.
Low season: from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm (depending on the region)
High season: from 8:30 to 12:30 and from 13:30 to 19:00 (depending on the region)

You can order the river guide when you book. In this guide you will find all the information you need to prepare your cruise (locks, shops,...). If you do not have a river guide, the base will lend you one on the day of departure.

Depending on the number of locks and the season, you will sail on average between 5am and 7am per day, i.e. between 25km and 40km per day..

On the day of departure, the appointment is set at 4pm. You can arrive a little earlier, around 3pm, if the boat is ready and the staff is available, you can leave a little earlier. Between your arrival and departure, it takes about 2 hours (administrative formalities, introduction to navigation and loading of the boat).
The return is made at 9am on the last day (except on certain bases, where the weekend return is made on Sunday evening instead of Monday morning). If you wish to free the boat earlier (for example on Sunday evening instead of Monday morning), you must inform the base on the day of departure.

The price of your rental includes

• The rental of the boat
• The fittings: equipment necessary for navigation
• The dishes: in sufficient quantity for the number of passengers on board
• The bedding*: sheets, blankets or duvets, pillows and pillowcases
• Boat insurance
• Boat insurance
• Boating instruction and pleasure card issuance
Breakdown assistance available 7/7 during base opening hours
• Boat toll
• A 13 kg gas bottle

*Beds made on some boats in the 5 star range. No sheets on Eau Claire and Espade 850 Fly

Your rental price does not include

• Cancellation insurance
• Navigation guide
• One-way supplement
• One-way supplement
• Deposit redemption insurance
Cleaning kits, kitchen linen, towels**
• Deposit from 780 € to 3 250 €, depending on the boats
• Navigation package. It includes all the consumables used during your stay (oils, diesel, gas,...). Depending on the category of the boat, the fixed price varies from €5.19 to €13.50 per hour of sailing.

** Included on some boats

There is no diesel station on the banks of rivers and canals. You will therefore not be able to refuel the boat. You generally have an autonomy of 2 weeks. On the day of departure, you leave with a full tank and the base reads the hour meter on the boat's engine. On return, the base reads the counter again and you set the number of hours of navigation x the boat's navigation package (between 7€ and 14€, depending on the boats).

The Package includes the navigation package (diesel, limited to 30 hours for one week), the cleaning package, the partial redemption of the deposit and the rental of a bicycle.
The Liberty Pack includes the navigation package (diesel, unlimited), the cleaning package, the cruise insurance plus (deposit insurance) and the rental of a bike.
The All Inclusive includes the navigation package (without limit), the cleaning package, the river guide, 1 bathroom/passenger linen kit, 1 kitchen linen kit and the rental of 2 bicycles.
The Serenity Pack includes the navigation package (without limit), the cleaning package, the partial redemption of the deposit (deposit reduced to 500 €) and the rental of a bicycle.
The availability of these Packs depends on the type of boat and the rental base.

You can take out cancellation insurance, which covers the booking and all passengers. The conditions are available on this link. You can also buy back the deposit. Depending on the boat, it is a partial redemption or the guarantee insurance (cruise insurance plus).

Follow this link to get the cancellation insurance conditions.

In most cases, it is either not recommended or prohibited to swim in the canals. The most suitable regions for swimming are Camargue, Le Lot , the Mayenne, the Petite Saône and the Charente.. In Camargue, you will sail as close as possible to the Mediterranean and you can go swimming directly in the sea in many places.

Most canals and rivers have a towpath, ideal for cycling. Only the Lot is not suitable for this practice.

Yes, but you will need to get a fishing card, in a specialized store or via this link . The cost is about 30 € per week.

All regions of France are rich in vineyards and/or local gastronomy, especially the southwest, the Alsace, the Burgundy and the Charente.

Yes, without any problem. On the day of departure, the base will provide you with life jackets adapted for the youngest. It is strongly recommended that younger children are systematically equipped with them when they get out of the boat. In this case, we also advise you to opt for boats with a footboard terrace at the back of the boat, such as the fleet Estivale, Sedan, Elegance and Horizon.

It is necessary to have at least 2 adults on board the boat.

Il n’y a pas d’âge maximum. Cependant afin de manœuvrer le bateau en toute sécurité, nous vous conseillons que l’équipage soit composé au minimum de 2 adultes en bonne santé, n’ayant pas de problème de mobilité.

To validate your reservation, you must pay 50% of the rental amount, the balance will be requested 6 weeks before departure. You will automatically receive a reminder email with payment terms and conditions.

You can book directly online or request an option for the boat (we will block the boat for you for a period of 2 to 5 days, until you make your decision). Once you have validated the rental contract, you will have to pay 50% of the rental amount (or the total amount if your departure is in less than 6 weeks). You can pay this amount by credit card or bank transfer.