No licence required
The boats are suitable for beginners. A practical briefing is given at the base before you set off.
Burgundy, Nivernais, Loire and Saône
Boat hire and licence-free houseboat rental in Burgundy
Set off with Les Canalous for a relaxing boating holiday in Burgundy. From Digoin, Briare, Mailly-le-Château, Pontailler-sur-Saône, Louhans or Châtillon-en-Bazois, cruise at your own pace through canals, villages, vineyards, heritage sites and local gastronomy.
- Licence-free houseboats
- 6 departure bases in Burgundy
- Day hire, weekend or week
- Canals, heritage and gastronomy
Plan your cruise
What would you like to do?
Quickly access the key pages to book, ask for advice, compare prices or hire a boat for the day.
Current offers
Offers and brochures for your Burgundy boating holiday
Use the current offers and brochures to plan your cruise at the best time, depending on dates, boats and availability.
Why choose Les Canalous?
A river cruise between nature, heritage and local flavours
Hiring a licence-free houseboat is a different way to discover Burgundy: slow, peaceful and flexible, with the freedom to choose your stops along the way.
A wide choice of bases
Digoin, Briare, Mailly-le-Château, Pontailler-sur-Saône, Louhans and Châtillon-en-Bazois offer varied cruising routes.
Heritage and gastronomy
Villages, markets, vineyards, locks, canal structures and local specialities shape every stage of the cruise.
For every rhythm
Day hire, weekend, short break or full week: choose the format that matches your plans.
Day hire or multi-day cruise
Two ways to discover licence-free boating
You can hire a boat for a few hours from Digoin or Briare, or plan a real multi-day cruise on Burgundy's canals and rivers.
Day boat hire
A simple way to try licence-free boating with family or friends, departing from Digoin or Briare.
Multi-day river cruise
Set off for a weekend, short break or full week from one of the six departure bases in Burgundy.
Departure bases
Where can you hire a houseboat in Burgundy?
Les Canalous welcomes you at several bases to discover Burgundy's major waterways: the Canal du Nivernais, Canal de Bourgogne, Canal latéral à la Loire, the Saône, the Seille, Bresse bourguignonne and the Loire Valley.
Each base offers a different atmosphere: impressive canal structures, villages, peaceful countryside, Burgundy heritage, wilder waterways or food-focused cruising in the heart of the region.
Digoin
Canal du Centre · Canal latéral à la Loire · Canal de Roanne à Digoin
Discover the baseBriare
Canal de Briare · Canal latéral à la Loire
Discover the base
Mailly-le-Château
Canal du Nivernais · Yonne
Discover the base
Pontailler-sur-Saône
Saône · Petite Saône
Discover the base
Louhans
Seille · Saône
Discover the base
Châtillon-en-Bazois
Canal du Nivernais
Discover the base
During your holiday
What to expect along the water
A Burgundy boating holiday is a slower, freer way to travel, between historic canals, villages, nature and gourmet stops.
Canal du Nivernais
An iconic cruising area for nature lovers, quiet villages and relaxed navigation.
Briare and the Loire Valley
Canal structures, the Loire, the canal bridge, mooring stops and easy stages make this a very accessible cruise.
Saône and Franche-Comté
From Pontailler-sur-Saône, enjoy gentle, open and relaxing cruising.
Seille and Bresse
Louhans and the Seille offer a peaceful atmosphere, between nature, local food and Bresse heritage.
Choose your boat
Licence-free boats for every style of cruise
Couples, families or groups of friends: choose your houseboat according to the number of people, comfort level, duration and budget.
The Premium, Electric, Cosy, Classic and Simply fleets help you find the right option, from more comfortable boats to simpler and more economical models.
Compare boats
Premium
Electric
Cosy
Classic
Simply
Prices and advice
Need help choosing your cruise?
Prices vary depending on the season, duration, departure base and boat chosen. For a day, weekend or week, the easiest way is to check current offers or ask for a personalised quote.
Frequently asked questions
Before hiring a licence-free boat in Burgundy
Do you need a licence to hire a houseboat in Burgundy?
No. The boats are designed to be handled without a licence. A briefing is provided before departure to explain manoeuvres, navigation and essential safety instructions.
Which departure base should you choose?
Choose Digoin or Briare for a first discovery or a day hire, Mailly-le-Château or Châtillon-en-Bazois for the Canal du Nivernais, Pontailler-sur-Saône for the Saône, or Louhans for the Seille and Bresse bourguignonne.
Can you hire a boat just for the day?
Yes, day boat hire is available from Digoin and Briare. It is a good way to try licence-free boating without going away for several days.
Is a boating holiday suitable for families?
Yes. River cruising is well suited to families. Children usually enjoy life on board, locks, village stops and walks or bike rides along the water.
Ready to plan your Burgundy boating holiday?
Choose your departure base, compare offers or ask for a personalised quote.
