We will be renting a canal boat in France next September for a week on the waterways. I did this many years ago in our own boat for a Summer, and again two years ago, for two weeks, on a boat borrowed from a friend. I know I must get a reservation in soon, as the good boats are booked soon after the upcoming Paris Boat Show in December. Problem is that the net is just crammed with hire firms. Hard to make a blind choice.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a charter company or individual boat owner with whom you have dealt happily in the past? I'm prticularly interested in a boat for either Burgundy (with which I am familiar) or the Canal du Midi in the South (with which I am not familiar).

Any input would be appreciated.

ttt

nukesafe: Friends of mine used Crown Blue Line on 2 different trips(one was the Canal du Midi) and were very happy with them. I'm also leaning toward them when I go next year.

I have been on Crowne Blue... terrific experience and we booked for Burgundy. Along the Soane and to the Canal Central. The "Classiques" I beleive...huge boat.

Thank you both, Beatle and SuzieC for your input. I had visited the Crown Blue web site and looked up the boats they have. We want a boat for four adults, which probably means a boat listed for 6 people if we want any comfort.

I noticed a few Crowne Blue boats on the Marne a couple of years ago, and even recall passing one of their home bases. I'll look at their boats again, but I don't recall any of them having bow thrusters -- something I find invaluable in getting away from a lock wall in any wind.

Even this far in advance I find myself drooling when I think of getting up early, biking along the tow path to the nearest boulangerie, and selecting those delicious pastries for breakfast.

Yum!

We were very happy with Rives de France. We chose them originally because their Burgundy itinerary passed more "old stones" than most other itineraries and they offered one waqy trips. Given the speed at which youtravel, one way is much prefereable to round trip.

Michael,

Thanks for the input. I had not tried their site, but will now. I also tried Connoisseur, Locaboat, and Plaissance. Where did you cruise?

We went from St. Florentin to Montbard. Go upstream if possible, it saves time because lockes are open on the downstream side while waiting for boats.

Michael,

I took that route (Canal de Bourgogne) once when I was much younger. Wonderful trip, but I think I'll opt for a waterway with fewer locks this time. My young sons helped with the locks then, but this time I intend to keep it a bit easier. Probably do the Saone.

Do you intend to go again?

We have used Locaboat on the Canal de la Marne (Alsace-Lorraine) and were very pleased with this company. Passed lots of Crown Blue boats and their boats seemed as modern/good shape as ours. For this area, we much preferred the Locaboat base (Lutzelbourg) to the Crown Blue base for for overall charm, and all the locks were automatic which we greatly appreciated.

Since you won't have "younger" help this time, you might want to look into which canals are automatic. Those we checked out in Burgundy this past fall were manual...and looked like a lot of work! We're otping for the Canal du Midi in September ourselves. Have fun!

Klondike,

Thanks for the input. I think you will like the Midi. It was highly recommended by friends who did it. Doesn't fit our schedule as it would take too long to get to the South of France from Paris, even with the TGV.

This couple had an interesting story. They took a hotel barge cruise in Holland and loved it but, being boat people, wanted to do the waterways on their own and for a longer time. They checked out the cost of renting a boat for the Summer, but that was to spendy. They then bought a boat in Holland, thinking if they did not like cruising in the summer they could always sell it at the end of the year. Needless to say, they loved it and kept exploring for the next five summers.

When they wanted to go biking in Provance one spring they asked us if we would like to use the boat for a few weeks. I replied, "Does Dolly Parton sleep on her back?"

We had a wonderful time on the Marne between Epernay and Paris.

Did any of you encounter difficulties with your boat or the canals? Any adventures you would share?

Just an update for the folks who replied to my query about canal boat rental in France. Just booked a boat for a week on the Saone River for next September. I recall doing that river many years ago and what a delight it was with the clear water and small sandy beaches from which to swim. We will have just come from Scotland, where one of our party insists on trying each of the single malts. We will use the river interlude to dry out.

We booked through a Dutch outfit called Holiday Boat, and they have been most helpful. Their prices are about the same as the French firms, but their English is so much better!

Anyone done that trip? Any restaurant recommendations?