Holiday Rental

Yes SJDL offers a fine marina, though the most attractive routes from there (Rhone au Rhin and Bourgogne) require a day or two each way before you get to more interesting waterways. 

The 30 km, 22 lock, 11 hour treck to Dijon is dead straight and dull by comparison with what comes later.  The 23 km 9 lock, 6 hour passage to Dole is not so bad, but again what comes later is so much nicer.  And you need to travel these less interesting stretches at both ends of your rental.  I'd suggest you consider starting at Dole (Nicols rentals) and travel towards and past Besancon.  The Doubs is one of the lovliest rivers in France. In October you should expect rain just about anywhere, but you may be lucky of course.

We travelled the Baise in a boat that had already spent a hard initial life as a Norfolk Broads rental!  We picked it up from Condom.  Indeed the Baise is a beautiful river with ancient towns and villages along the way.  The navigable section of the river is only about 60 km with 21 locks.  When we were there in 2008, it was forbidden for rental vessels to traverse between the Baise and the Garonne.  Our rental was just one week, but you should certainly check this situation if taking a longer rental.and wanting to visit the Lower Lot or Garonne. 

Peter

There is one obvious answer that we regulars may overlook - Saint Jean de Losne.  Our very first rental was from here to Besancon and back.  20 years later it is still one of our favorite routes even after having done it many times.  You also get to look at the biggest marina for inland cruising in France.  For extra bonus you can pop down the river to Seurre or Chalon sur Saone.   I think there is not a better place to get a feel for inland cruising.
Rob.

Russ

the weather after October 7th is not the best cruising weather. Rain and wind will have started in The Netherlands.  Yes hardly any locks !
The weather in the S of France is much better, but then you will be experiencing locks every day.    So why not come earlier ?

Rus, this is a very open question. The last time I looked there were more than 100 hire boat bases in Europe. You can search by country, brand ,region or city.
then be honest about how many locks do you want to do, and semi- automatic or fully automatic. In the Netherlands there ma6 be a lock every 25 km, in mountainous France it may be two per kilometre.
 Do you want to see tulips or sun flowers. Or wine and if so what type. If it’s a nice area there are hire boat bases there.
then look carefully at the boats for hire. There is a reputable company with an 8 berth boat for hire, two sleep on the converted lounge. They will need to be kicked out of bed to enable you to check emails while having an early morning croissant and coffee. Then one bedroom has only one meter of headroom, try siting up and pulling on a tee shirt and pulling you zip up. Read the brochure carefully.
With the European rail system access is reasonably easy to the main cruising areas. For the variety available I enjoy the Netherlands , Belgium and north western France. The more research you do the better prepared you will be for an enjoyable rental.

Hi Michael and Russ

PM disabled for now, however I do note Russ can get your email (and mine) by looking us up by clicking on the drop down

And the Baïse is accessible for rentals via Buzet. Worth contacting the lock keeper though as it does sometimes gum up, not attended all the time and he will let you know if not suitable for your boat. The Baïse is one of the recommended trips IIRC from Agen Locaboat. Easy port with high speed train access within an easy walk via a historic if rather shabby passerelle over the rail yards (see the tracks through multiple small holes in the metal sheeting) to the canalside road. You then turn right on the train side until near the Locaboat location. 

Heading west is one of the best runs we have done on the Garonne, with a long area of trees overhanging the canal from Serignac to Buzet. The downside is they regularly fall in. Alas our boat is too fat to go up the Baïse so recommendations only by stint of friends renting and our tour by car.   Even with brown water it is a stand out, the mooring in Nérac was particularly memorable. I will let you find the charms of the area in the waterways guides and on your own research.

Regards
Chris
 

Send me a private message. I might have a good fit for you. 

Mike
 

Although we loved our week on the Baize in 2008 and it was my first experience of cruising in France, I’m not sure I’d recommend this river. It is prone to flooding, the water is the colour of Brown Windsor Soup and you cannot access the Garonne in a rented boat - and don’t you need a pilot even in your own boat?

In October, perhaps the Midi or Nivernais for best weather - the OP could read replies to my Rental thread. A cruise on the Doubs from Dole to Besancon and beyond may be my recommendation, though spells of heavy rain is quite common in October anywhere in France. Or perhaps between Nancy and Saverne on the Marne au Rhin, Hugh McKnight’s prime recommendation to first-time cruisers. These last 2 feature wonderful countryside and great towns at each end and charter companies.

Peter

Hi Russ

For overall feel it is hard to beat the Seille River which is not too crowded and may have some water.

For more water sure consider hiring on Garonne to go up the Baïse. The Locaboat depot at Agen is pretty helpful and access is easy.
The trip to the Baïse is lovely with lots of trees crowding in on you, and not many boats around.  As a plus it will be less chilly, getting cool in October.

Regards
Chris

My wife and I have been cruising on our sailboat for seven years. After seven years full time on Uproar, we are now snow birds, cruising in the Caribbean in the winter and summers in Wisconsin, US.

We would like to rent a canal boat in France starting about October 7th. Prior, we will be spending a few days in Paris.

It would be great if we could get recommendations on where to cruise (1 week to 10 days) and rental companies. It can be any type of boat or barge, we just want to get a feel of river life. Or is it possible to rent from an individual?

Perhaps in a year or so, we will buy a barge of our own.