Waterway holidays on the Saône

From Pontailler sur Saône

Located on the Petite Saône, our boat hire base in Pontailler-sur-Saône is a favourite destination for lovers of natural landscapes and rural heritage. But a river cruise from Pontailler-sur-Saône is also a gourmet destination in the heart of Burgundy. Dijon, capital of the Dukes of Burgundy and French capital of gastronomy and wine, is less than 2 days' sailing from our departure base, to the delight of your taste buds.

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Pontailler-sur-Saône, a town in Burgundy that’s well worth getting to know

As its name indi­cates, the town of, Pon­tailler-sur-Saône devel­oped over the cen­turies along the Saône, one of the best rivers in France for water­way tourism. Its first inhab­i­tants, the Gauls, set­tled sev­er­al cen­turies ago at the top of Mount Ardoux. Over the cen­turies, the town’s strate­gic loca­tion on the banks of the famous riv­er secured its rep­u­ta­tion among barge­men as a well-known port of call.

A departure town for a host of waterway cruises

Plea­sure boats have now replaced barges in Pon­tailler-sur-Saône. This is the home of our water­way base, where you’ll be able to pick up your licence-free rental boat. Take the oppor­tu­ni­ty to climb Mount Ardoux before board­ing. You can admire the stat­ue of Vir­gin Mary and, above all, enjoy breath-tak­ing views. The Saône plain promis­es you an unfor­get­table cruise, while Monts du Jura invites you to get away from it all on a walk or cycle ride. It’ll then be time to go through the admin­is­tra­tive for­mal­i­ties as you pre­pare for your next departure.

discover the region with our photos

The Small Town of Gray

The Small Town of Gray

If you stop at the small marina in Gray, younger visitors can enjoy a lovely playground to stretch their legs, while adults will have direct access to local shops to stock up on supplies.
Listed as one of the “Cités de Caractère de Bourgogne–Franche-Comté,” the town of Gray is worth far more than just a simple “resupply” stop: as you stroll through its streets, you’ll discover the 16th-century Town Hall, the Basilica of Notre-Dame, the former washhouse, and more.
The castle of Ray sur Saône

The castle of Ray sur Saône

Two days’ cruise north of Pontailler-sur-Saône, a visit to the Château de Ray-sur-Saône and its parks promises a delightful experience. Choose a guided tour to learn more about this remarkable building and its history.
The Saint Albin Tunnel

The Saint Albin Tunnel

At the helm of your boat, pass through the Saint Albin Tunnel, a true gem of the Val de Saône, built under Napoleon III and stretching 681 meters long. Listed as a historic monument, this tunnel is an unusual and memorable stop on your riverside journey!
Dijon

Dijon

A great place to start exploring the capital of Burgundy. Follow the owl trail and lose yourself in the narrow streets of the old town, sample regional specialities at one of Dijon's fine restaurants, then treat yourself to a visit to the newly renovated Museum of Fine Arts, or an opera, concert or ballet at the old theatre or auditorium!
The citadel of Besançon

The citadel of Besançon

At the exit of the Thoraise tunnel, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the citadel of Besançon. Continue your journey and take the tunnel dug under this Vauban fortress before stopping off for a visit. With its ramparts, noctarium, animal park, Comtois museum and resistance museum, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has many secrets waiting to be discovered!

suggested itineraries Tested and approved

Set off from Pontailler-sur-Saône and navigate as your desires see fit, or follow our itinerary ideas:

Week-end
Round trip 74km - 4 locks 10h Pontailler sur Saône > Saint Jean de Losne > Pontailler sur Saône
Mini-week
Round trip 114km - 12 locks 14h Pontailler sur Saône > Savoyeux > Pontailler sur Saône
Round trip 104km - 22 locks 18h Pontailler sur Saône > Dôle > Pontailler sur Saône
One week
Round trip 136km - 48 locks 30h Pontailler sur Saône > Dijon > Pontailler sur Saône
Round trip 194km - 8 locks 20h Pontailler sur Saône > Chalon sur Saône > Pontailler sur Saône
Round trip 208km - 22 locks 28h Pontailler sur Saône > Scey sur Saône > Pontailler sur Saône
One way 213km - 33 locks 31h Pontailler sur Saône > Chagny > Louhans
Two weeks
Round trip 411km - 50 locks 55h Pontailler sur Saône > Saint Léger sur Dheune > Louhans > Pontailler sur Saône
Round trip 294km - 78 locks 54h Pontailler sur Saône > Montchanin > Pontailler sur Saône
Round trip 310km - 34 locks 40h Pontailler sur Saône > Corre > Pontailler sur Saône
Round trip 218km - 66 locks 44h Pontailler sur Saône > Besançon > Pontailler sur Saône
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