My family is researching options to rent a self-drive boat next spring and spend a week with about 8 people puttering down the canals of southern France. I've done some preliminary online research and gotten some info about the Penichettes from Locoboat, and more modern cruisers from another company. Anyone had any experience doing this? We're looking at late March, '10, so we are considering Canal du Midi to get us as far south as possible for slightly better weather. Any insights or suggestions would be appreciated.
Posted by
Bend, OR
576 posts
Bill, I was hoping there would be people out there to share their experiences. I REALLY want to do this! Our family had booked a boat on the Canal du Midi several years ago until our friends had to cancel. I think it looks like a wonderful, surpisingly affordable way to slowly experience an area. I first read about this in Budget Travel magazine and was impressed at how easy and inexpensive it can be to rent a houseboat (especially when sharing the cost with another family or couple). The idea of stopping at any village that looks lovely, then riding bicycles to explore the area, gathering foods at the local markets to prepare on the boat... sounds incredibly romantic! I hope that when you go, you'll report back.
Posted by
Prince George, BC, Canada
442 posts
Hi Bill. My husband and I haven't canal boated in France, but we have in England, and we just loved it. We took 2 weeks to go 109 miles (Avon Ring). You approach towns and cities differently than you would in a car/train, so tend to see the heart of the community. We had a wonderfully relaxing holiday. Enjoy, it will all be good, even if it rains a lot -- just bring your rain gear.
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia
135 posts
Several years ago I saw a PBS video on a canal boat trip that ended up in Paris. Unfortunately, I have no details on where to find it. Actually, I think it was made by the BBC. It made me wish I could experience this, it looked like so much fun.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Perhaps 3 weeks ago on his radio program, Rick Steves talked to a expert on canal boating in France at length. Perhaps if you could find a podcast of the show, you could get more information.
EDIT: Ah, it looks like you can download the entire program from this website.
Posted by
Bend, OR
576 posts
Tom, Thanks for suggesting the Rick on Radio podcast. I had missed the one on Barging in France. Very helpful information!
Posted by
OP
Evanston, IL
19 posts
Yes, I heard the radio show a few weeks ago, which is really what got me inspired to hunt for more specific information. The catered barge trips are really out of our price range, but the self-drive boats seem like a great option. Although it seems that Burgundy is the ideal choice for a first-time canal cruiser, I'm concerned that the weather in central France in late March might be a little dicey. That's why we're looking at the Canal du Midi instead. At the moment, I'm leaning toward the Penichette boats, which seem to have a little more retro styling, rather than the more modern cruiser style boats. I'd love to know of anyone's experience with either type of boat in terms of comfort, etc. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Ft Myers, Fl, USA
1 posts
Bill, we have done 3 different canal boat trips with a party of 4. We rented Penichettes from Locaboat twice and much preferred them. We did the Canal du Midi in 2005. The Burgundy Canal is much nicer, more scenic, better villages and sights. The Canal du Midi is very industrial and most of the trip was plane trees. The Burgundy Canal also had the best wine and food. We also did The Saone and Briare trip, which was also very nice. We always traveled in mid-September and the weather, even on the Canal du Midi was cool. Enjoy! These were three of our best trips ever!