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set off on an adventureOur river cruises Unique holidays on the water
Welcome to Les Canalous’ Website – The Specialists in French Waterway and Canal Boat Hire
Les Canalous began their adventure in the picturesque Burgundy region in the early 1980s. For almost four decades, we have been dedicated to making waterway tourism and boating in France more popular and making the enchanting experience of canal boat cruising accessible to all.
Our expansion over the years enables us to offer cruises in all the French regions, including the iconic Canal du Midi, on the scenic Alsace region, and the unique landscapes of the Camargue, as well as other charming European destinations. Our diverse fleet of self-drive houseboats is tailored to meet every need and preference, ensuring that your canal boat rental experience is nothing short of pleasurable.
Explore our range of license-free boats, from luxurious to budget-friendly options. Les Canalous also offers comprehensive training in driving your rental boat for complete peace of mind. Start making plans for your perfect French waterway holiday now !
Waterway Cruising : A Unique and Alternative Holiday Experience in France
Experience a novel way of holidaying with river and canal tourism, a unique way of creating unforgettable French holidays. Relish the calm of relaxing on the deck of your boat, and the thrill of manoeuvring through locks and tunnels. France’s regional heritage makes life on board even better, offering the chance for spontaneous excursions to suit all tastes. Cycle along towpaths, wander through charming villages, and discover traditional market stalls. Pause for a lakeside fishing session or a refreshing swim. A canal boat holiday in France, especially along the legendary Canal du Midi or the picturesque Alsace and Camargue regions, promises an array of delightful activities.
Tailored Offers to Satisfy All Your Boating Desires – and More !
A canal boat hire not only provides an alternative to mainstream tourism but also a way to explore some of France’s most prestigious and picturesque sites. Our houseboat bases are situated in prime tourist regions, allowing you to choose your destination based on your individual tastes and interests.
Whether it’s the historic charm of the Canal du Midi, the cultural richness of Alsace, the wild beauty of the Camargue, the mysterious allure of Brittany, or the gastronomic delights of the Lot, each destination offers a unique experience.
Discover our diverse range of canal and river cruises and begin planning your ideal French self-drive boating adventure.
Canalous customer reviews Your feedback counts, we pay attention to it!
Review posted on the : 2026-06-09
Review posted on the : 2026-06-07
Thank you to all the staff for the good service, it was nice to spend...
Thank you to all the staff for the good service, it was nice to spend a lovely week at your Canal.
Review posted on the : 2026-04-27
Excellent, I highly recommend the Canalous. The boat was spacious with all the equipment needed....
Excellent, I highly recommend the Canalous. The boat was spacious with all the equipment needed. The staff guided us with kindness and great information. Go for it, it is an amazing experience. France is so beautiful.
Review posted on the : 2026-03-23
This was a lovely trip — we would absolutely do it again, though a little...
This was a lovely trip — we would absolutely do it again, though a little later in the season so everything would be open!
Review posted on the : 2025-10-30
Our first experience with a group of five friends sailing on the Midi for four...
Our first experience with a group of five friends sailing on the Midi for four days was very enjoyable: we sailed, we went for walks, we visited places and, above all, we had a wonderful holiday thanks to the magnificent landscapes we passed through and the team at the Agde base who gave us very professional advice before we set off, ensuring we had a smooth crossing. The Tarpon 42 boat, Moby Dick, is very comfortable and has everything you need for a very pleasant stay.
Review posted on the : 2025-06-16
2 great weeks' charter. We chose a simple boat but it suited us perfectly. Easy...
2 great weeks' charter. We chose a simple boat but it suited us perfectly. Easy to handle and comfortable. The team at the base is very friendly and efficient. The Petite Saône is a wonderful river, with beautiful scenery, friendly little villages and not too many difficult locks.
Review posted on the : 2025-06-09
Very good welcome, friendly and serious team. Very happy with our stay.
Review posted on the : 2025-04-19
very friendly and courteous staff, great boats and - because we were travelling at the...
very friendly and courteous staff, great boats and - because we were travelling at the beginning of the season - very affordable prices! The Saone is also a really idyllic river for houseboat holidays: natural course, wild banks and basically idyllic scenery.
Review posted on the : 2025-04-07
A wonderful experience!!! Very pleasant stay, calm and rejuvenating.
Review posted on the : 2024-06-25
Top team, extremely responsive and friendly! We'll be back
Review posted on the : 2024-06-08
Review posted on the : 2024-06-08
Review posted on the : 2024-06-02
Review posted on the : 2024-05-20
We spent a 3-day weekend on 2 boats with our children and 7 grandchildren and...
We spent a 3-day weekend on 2 boats with our children and 7 grandchildren and it was a great time of happiness, discovery and relaxation. It was great, everyone (young and old) loved it so much that they all want to do it again. Well done, Canalous!
Review posted on the : 2024-05-12
Review posted on the : 2024-05-06
Review posted on the : 2024-04-29
A good impression for a first cruise.
Review posted on the : 2024-04-21
Well done to Jean-Pierre and his team for the clear information and instruction on the...
Well done to Jean-Pierre and his team for the clear information and instruction on the manoeuvres. The atmosphere was friendly but very professional. We'll be sure to tell our friends and family about it!
Review posted on the : 2024-04-12
A total change of scenery. A great moment of relaxation.
Review posted on the : 2023-11-11
Our stay on the barge was brightened up by daily visits from swans that we'd...
Our stay on the barge was brightened up by daily visits from swans that we'd never had the chance to look into each other's eyes before... Another wonderful time shared between us, which could well lead to another river trip next spring!
Review posted on the : 2023-10-17
Thanks again for this stay, we'll be back.
Review posted on the : 2023-09-01
A stay full of calm and discovery, our first experience, a real delight. An experience to...
A stay full of calm and discovery, our first experience, a real delight. An experience to be repeated without hesitation.
Review posted on the : 2023-08-26
Wonderful stay in Mayenne.
Review posted on the : 2023-08-19
We've just finished our week-long cruise from Cognac to Angoulême, during which we had a...
We've just finished our week-long cruise from Cognac to Angoulême, during which we had a lot of fun sailing the Charente!
Review posted on the : 2023-08-14
Stay on the Martin Pécheur Triton 860 fly departing from Digoin and returning to Nevers...
Stay on the Martin Pécheur Triton 860 fly departing from Digoin and returning to Nevers on the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Romantic landscapes, inspiring meditation.
Review posted on the : 2023-07-18
Once again, it was a successful holiday with a very good boat. Thank you very much!...
Once again, it was a successful holiday with a very good boat. Thank you very much!
Review posted on the : 2023-07-10
We treated ourselves to this boat trip for our girls' 10th birthday weekend. We were...
We treated ourselves to this boat trip for our girls' 10th birthday weekend. We were able to give up music completely because the peace and quiet on the canals was so great! There was no need for anything. 4 great days, quite simply. Thank you for this experience too!
Review posted on the : 2023-07-06
A great week with the canalous
Review posted on the : 2023-06-20
We went to Burgundy from Pontalier-sur-saone to Louhans. It was a great 10 days. The weather was...
We went to Burgundy from Pontalier-sur-saone to Louhans. It was a great 10 days. The weather was great, the atmosphere always great and the route a dream.
Review posted on the : 2023-06-08
A relaxing 5-day break on the Canal du Midi from Homps to Colombiers and back...
A relaxing 5-day break on the Canal du Midi from Homps to Colombiers and back aboard the Triton 1050 "Sumatra". Calm, a change of scenery, a change of pace, birdsong, discovery stops - a beneficial break!
Review posted on the : 2023-06-05
We had a wonderful stay on the Caligula boat (very comfortable!) from Digoin. Sailing all...
We had a wonderful stay on the Caligula boat (very comfortable!) from Digoin. Sailing all the way to Dompierre-sur-Besbre, we were amazed by the scenery, fascinated by the locks and touched by the kindness of the locals. We were lucky enough to be accompanied on part of our journey by several animals, including a beautiful heron. Thanks to the stops along the way, we discovered some typical villages. Last but not least, our little captain even had fun on the playgrounds we found along the way! We look forward to sailing with Les Canalous again.
Review posted on the : 2023-06-04
Magnificent cruise, magical moments!
Review posted on the : 2023-05-25
Mini cruise very enjoyable to repeat!
Review posted on the : 2023-05-15
Nice physical cruise on the Charente Well maintained boat and mechanical and comfort equipment in...
Nice physical cruise on the Charente Well maintained boat and mechanical and comfort equipment in good condition For this third year in May on the Charente there was water and we were able to go as far as Angoulême but the wind was cold and unpleasant, you can't have everything?
Review posted on the : 2023-04-29
The whole PARENT family was delighted with this experience, and sailing on the canals was...
The whole PARENT family was delighted with this experience, and sailing on the canals was a great first which delighted young and old alike. The region is magnificent, the people are generally very kind and all the Canalous staff are SUPER, attentive and very caring. Many thanks to the whole team
Review posted on the : 2023-04-08
Very professional team
Review posted on the : 2026-06-09
Review posted on the : 2026-06-07
Thank you to all the staff for the good service, it was nice to spend...
Thank you to all the staff for the good service, it was nice to spend a lovely week at your Canal.
Review posted on the : 2026-04-27
Excellent, I highly recommend the Canalous. The boat was spacious with all the equipment needed....
Excellent, I highly recommend the Canalous. The boat was spacious with all the equipment needed. The staff guided us with kindness and great information. Go for it, it is an amazing experience. France is so beautiful.
Review posted on the : 2026-03-23
This was a lovely trip — we would absolutely do it again, though a little...
This was a lovely trip — we would absolutely do it again, though a little later in the season so everything would be open!
Review posted on the : 2025-10-30
Our first experience with a group of five friends sailing on the Midi for four...
Our first experience with a group of five friends sailing on the Midi for four days was very enjoyable: we sailed, we went for walks, we visited places and, above all, we had a wonderful holiday thanks to the magnificent landscapes we passed through and the team at the Agde base who gave us very professional advice before we set off, ensuring we had a smooth crossing. The Tarpon 42 boat, Moby Dick, is very comfortable and has everything you need for a very pleasant stay.
Review posted on the : 2025-06-16
2 great weeks' charter. We chose a simple boat but it suited us perfectly. Easy...
2 great weeks' charter. We chose a simple boat but it suited us perfectly. Easy to handle and comfortable. The team at the base is very friendly and efficient. The Petite Saône is a wonderful river, with beautiful scenery, friendly little villages and not too many difficult locks.
Review posted on the : 2025-06-09
Very good welcome, friendly and serious team. Very happy with our stay.
Review posted on the : 2025-04-19
very friendly and courteous staff, great boats and - because we were travelling at the...
very friendly and courteous staff, great boats and - because we were travelling at the beginning of the season - very affordable prices! The Saone is also a really idyllic river for houseboat holidays: natural course, wild banks and basically idyllic scenery.
Review posted on the : 2025-04-07
A wonderful experience!!! Very pleasant stay, calm and rejuvenating.
Review posted on the : 2024-06-25
Top team, extremely responsive and friendly! We'll be back
Review posted on the : 2024-06-08
Review posted on the : 2024-06-08
Review posted on the : 2024-06-02
Review posted on the : 2024-05-20
We spent a 3-day weekend on 2 boats with our children and 7 grandchildren and...
We spent a 3-day weekend on 2 boats with our children and 7 grandchildren and it was a great time of happiness, discovery and relaxation. It was great, everyone (young and old) loved it so much that they all want to do it again. Well done, Canalous!
Review posted on the : 2024-05-12
Review posted on the : 2024-05-06
Review posted on the : 2024-04-29
A good impression for a first cruise.
Review posted on the : 2024-04-21
Well done to Jean-Pierre and his team for the clear information and instruction on the...
Well done to Jean-Pierre and his team for the clear information and instruction on the manoeuvres. The atmosphere was friendly but very professional. We'll be sure to tell our friends and family about it!
Review posted on the : 2024-04-12
A total change of scenery. A great moment of relaxation.
Review posted on the : 2023-11-11
Our stay on the barge was brightened up by daily visits from swans that we'd...
Our stay on the barge was brightened up by daily visits from swans that we'd never had the chance to look into each other's eyes before... Another wonderful time shared between us, which could well lead to another river trip next spring!
Review posted on the : 2023-10-17
Thanks again for this stay, we'll be back.
Review posted on the : 2023-09-01
A stay full of calm and discovery, our first experience, a real delight. An experience to...
A stay full of calm and discovery, our first experience, a real delight. An experience to be repeated without hesitation.
Review posted on the : 2023-08-26
Wonderful stay in Mayenne.
Review posted on the : 2023-08-19
We've just finished our week-long cruise from Cognac to Angoulême, during which we had a...
We've just finished our week-long cruise from Cognac to Angoulême, during which we had a lot of fun sailing the Charente!
Review posted on the : 2023-08-14
Stay on the Martin Pécheur Triton 860 fly departing from Digoin and returning to Nevers...
Stay on the Martin Pécheur Triton 860 fly departing from Digoin and returning to Nevers on the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Romantic landscapes, inspiring meditation.
Review posted on the : 2023-07-18
Once again, it was a successful holiday with a very good boat. Thank you very much!...
Once again, it was a successful holiday with a very good boat. Thank you very much!
Review posted on the : 2023-07-10
We treated ourselves to this boat trip for our girls' 10th birthday weekend. We were...
We treated ourselves to this boat trip for our girls' 10th birthday weekend. We were able to give up music completely because the peace and quiet on the canals was so great! There was no need for anything. 4 great days, quite simply. Thank you for this experience too!
Review posted on the : 2023-07-06
A great week with the canalous
Review posted on the : 2023-06-20
We went to Burgundy from Pontalier-sur-saone to Louhans. It was a great 10 days. The weather was...
We went to Burgundy from Pontalier-sur-saone to Louhans. It was a great 10 days. The weather was great, the atmosphere always great and the route a dream.
Review posted on the : 2023-06-08
A relaxing 5-day break on the Canal du Midi from Homps to Colombiers and back...
A relaxing 5-day break on the Canal du Midi from Homps to Colombiers and back aboard the Triton 1050 "Sumatra". Calm, a change of scenery, a change of pace, birdsong, discovery stops - a beneficial break!
Review posted on the : 2023-06-05
We had a wonderful stay on the Caligula boat (very comfortable!) from Digoin. Sailing all...
We had a wonderful stay on the Caligula boat (very comfortable!) from Digoin. Sailing all the way to Dompierre-sur-Besbre, we were amazed by the scenery, fascinated by the locks and touched by the kindness of the locals. We were lucky enough to be accompanied on part of our journey by several animals, including a beautiful heron. Thanks to the stops along the way, we discovered some typical villages. Last but not least, our little captain even had fun on the playgrounds we found along the way! We look forward to sailing with Les Canalous again.
Review posted on the : 2023-06-04
Magnificent cruise, magical moments!
Review posted on the : 2023-05-25
Mini cruise very enjoyable to repeat!
Review posted on the : 2023-05-15
Nice physical cruise on the Charente Well maintained boat and mechanical and comfort equipment in...
Nice physical cruise on the Charente Well maintained boat and mechanical and comfort equipment in good condition For this third year in May on the Charente there was water and we were able to go as far as Angoulême but the wind was cold and unpleasant, you can't have everything?
Review posted on the : 2023-04-29
The whole PARENT family was delighted with this experience, and sailing on the canals was...
The whole PARENT family was delighted with this experience, and sailing on the canals was a great first which delighted young and old alike. The region is magnificent, the people are generally very kind and all the Canalous staff are SUPER, attentive and very caring. Many thanks to the whole team
Review posted on the : 2023-04-08
Very professional team