Riverboats and canal holidays always look so utterly relaxing: slowing down, immersed in nature, enjoying a complete change from everyday life. And if you’re thinking ‘I’d love to, but…’ we’ll show you how easily that turns into ‘I’d love to boat’.
First things first: you don’t need a licence, and you don’t need any sailing experience to enjoy a boating holiday, because you get full instructions before you set off (more on that later). It’s like hiring a car, but instead of crawling along motorways, dealing with tailbacks and roadworks, you glide along the waterways enjoying the scenery with a bed in the back!
What’s it all about?
If you’re feeling tempted – and why wouldn’t you? – then your first port of call should be Nicols Boats. Catering for 30,000 passengers a year, they have 15 bases in France, so you can choose your starting point on a canal or river in whichever region appeals to you, then select your boat and plan your route. And if you’re not sure where to start, the website gives you all the guidance you need as well as suggestions to inspire you.
Where will you go?
Have you ever fancied cruising the Canal du Midi and stopping off at Carcassonne, or the river that leads you past the fairy-tale châteaux of the Loire Valley? Perhaps you’d be tempted by a route through the best French vineyards or one that tours several fabulous golf courses.
Thanks to their extensive network, Nicols Boats can offer you a starting point in almost any region in France, from Brittany in the northwest to Alsace in the east near Germany, down through the Loire Valley, Charente and Lot, and as far south as the Camargue on the Mediterranean. Being on a boat with your own accommodation gives you huge flexibility so you can sail as far as you wish then return to base, or you can opt to sail a one-way route, culminating in a city break before heading back home.
Each route on the website tells you the distance involved, how many hours of navigation to expect and the number of locks along the way. You can also take a look at their dedicated maps that show towns and sites of special interest along the waterways, helping you to plan your itinerary and look forward to what you might see during your holiday.
Which boat will you choose?
Forget any visions of cramped spaces: these are modern, spacious boats with room to move, filled with light from the many windows all around. There are even skylights in certain cabins, so you can lounge in bed and watch the clouds passing by as you ponder how to spend your day. Depending on the make and model of boat you choose, there are double or twin cabins, generally with ensuite shower rooms, and the sleeping quarters can be grouped together or at opposite ends of the boat, which is perfect if you’re travelling with friends.
As for the living space, you can expect bright interiors that feel welcoming even on a dull day, a dining area and fully equipped kitchen so you can whip up a gourmet meal using the fresh goodies you’ve selected in the local market. Most boats also offer outside seating if you prefer an al fresco supper, and of course there’s always the option of lounging on the riverbanks.
If you’re planning a weekend break with a loved one, then the single-cabin, 8-metre boat will be perfect, while larger groups can choose boats with as many as 5 separate cabins, spacious living areas, decks for sunbathing, and the luxury of a plunge pool. You can indulge in the sumptuous Sixto Prestige C that’s complete with a dishwasher, spacious cabins and air conditioning should you need a cool retreat from the French sunshine. Nicols Boats is one of the few companies to offer a fully electric option – the Estivale Sixto Green – and they’ll also accommodate your dog: it really is a holiday for the entire family!
What to expect
Once you’ve browsed through the website and decided which region calls to you and which boat is the best fit for your group, you can book up your boating break. As soon as you do this, you’ll receive a handbook and DVD with some outline information so that you feel comfortable in your new role of captain.
When you arrive at your starting point, you also get full instructions from a qualified member of staff, who will show you around your boat and explain how everything works. If it’s your first time sailing a riverboat, you’re not alone: around 80% of passengers are novice sailors. The staff will explain the rules of the river, how to handle locks and answer any questions you might have, so that when you set sail, you feel excited about your new adventure!
A word about locks
If you’ve hesitated about a boating holiday and said “I’d love to, but…”, then apprehension about handling the locks is probably the main hurdle. We don’t encounter locks in everyday life, and it’s natural to be wary about the unfamiliar, but thankfully there’s nothing to fear!
The team at Nicols Boats will explain all the practical elements about how to approach locks and the steps of getting through them before you even set off on your boat. On French waterways, a lock keeper is usually available to help you through the process, not to mention other boaters who are typically more than happy to lend a hand.
Depending on the region that you choose, there can be lots of locks or very few. The hilly landscapes around Burgundy mean that you’ll encounter more locks as you move along the waterways, while down south in the Camargue, the landscape is flat, so there are almost no locks at all.
That said, you shouldn’t let the thought of locks affect your choice of destination, because once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll wonder why you were ever concerned! Pausing at a lock gives the chance to meet other friendly boaters who’ll happily chat about the route and give you tips on the best tourist sites to visit up ahead. Despite initial fears, most people will tell you that those moments at a lock are often among the highlights of their boating holiday.
Ready to get on the water?
Hopefully this overview has wiped out “I’d love to, but…” and left you feeling very much that you’d love to boat. And if you still have questions, the helpful team are there to help, hop on the website to call or email them. Head to the Nicols Boats website, get inspired about the routes, find out about where you can stop off, what sites you’ll visit, and take a look around all the different boats so you can choose the one that best suits you. Get your crew together, choose your dates and get out on the water!
