2020 BOATING GUIDE


With the exception of Russia (most of which is in Asia anyway), France has more miles of navigable waterways than any other country in Europe


Paris to Épernay stint and the wildlife-rich Provence to Camargue route. www.boatbiketours.com Tel. +31 (0)20 723 5400 servicedesk@boatbiketours.com


Brittany Boating


Few rivers are as picture-perfect as the Blavet. It flows from central Brittany to the coast near Lorient, and has been canalised for most of its length since the days of Napoleon. Winding from Pontivy to Hennebont through sumptuous landscapes of granite outcrops, wooded hillsides and fertile land, the navigable sections of this charming river are dotted with peaceful spots for mooring


alongside guinguettes, bars and restaurants interspersed with pretty chapels and villages. Brittany Boating offers self-drive holidays on the Blavet from the tiny waterside village of Saint-Nicolas-des-Eaux, with many chances to hop onto the towpath for a stroll or bike ride, as well as the option to hire bicycles, canoes and


paddleboards for the week. Or, if you plump for the path well- travelled, the company will also take passengers along the Canal de Nantes à Brest from its base at Rohan. www.brittanyboating.com Tel. +33 (0)6 77 52 70 65 Tel. +44 (0)7 780 800 148 brittanyboating@outlook.com


CroisiEurope


The Seine. The Loire. The Rhône. The Saône. The Garonne. CroisiEurope roams them all, with itineraries tailored to each area – all that’s left is for you to do is decide which to pick first. Need your history fix? The Seine cruise expertly hops from Monet’s legendary home and garden in Giverny to medieval Rouen, to Paris’s iconic landmarks. Love nature? Then you’ll swoon at the Rhône and Saône cruise, which slices through the stunning landscapes of Provence and the Camargue. Best of all, affordability is at the core of CroisiEurope, opening up cruising to a wider audience, who can nevertheless still look


forward to premium comfort and service, plus superior cuisine, with past guest chefs including such luminaries as Marc Haeberlin and Paul Bocuse. www.croisieuroperivercruises.com Tel. +1 800 768 7232


European Waterways For more than 35 years, the talented European Waterways crew has welcomed travellers to the dreamiest corners of rural France, from vineyard-dotted Burgundy to the storybook scenery of Alsace. Depending on the number of people in your party, there’s a barge for every occasion, with larger vessels accommodating up to 12 passengers. Included in the


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