River and Canal Cruising
France

Strasbourg cruising, Alsace, North France
Photo © Jaques Sierpinski

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The French canal and river system is huge and well-developed, offering an excellent and far more tranquil alternative to road transport, with no speed cops, parking problems, breathalysers, traffic jams or accommodation emergencies. Bicycles can often be rented and kept aboard.

Some popular cruising routes are: River Marne to the River Rhine, across the Champagne region via canal; Canal de Bourgogne, across Burgandy; various canals and rivers from Bordeaux to the Mediterranean.

Canal du Midi near Toulouse
Photo by Yelles

One of the most famous cruising routes is Canal du Midi, a 150 mile (240 km) stretch from Toulouse to the Mediterranean Sea at Sete. Boats and barges may be small and piloted personally with minimal tuition and no licence required, though check the certificate requirements for big river travel.

Alternatively full guided tours on comfortable mini-ships, also known as Bateau-mouches, are available.

Canal du Midi near Trebes
Photo by K.Conklin

The best section of the Canal du Midi is from Capestang to Carcassonne, a 100 mile stretch rampant with magnificent ancient villages for lunch breaks or night stops, fine wines and glorious chateaux within easy reach, and ending at awesome medieval, walled and turreted Carcassone that deserves at least two nights. All told this trip could be easily done in a week.
France Afloat do rentals from Capestang.

Alternatively get off your backside and do something physical on France's watery highways such as Rafting or Canoeing!

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