Blog
Guides, tips, and destinations for boaters
Cruising the French Canals: The Complete Beginner's Guide
A first-timer's guide to the French canals: licences, the VNF vignette, locks, boat sizes, costs and where to start, from a British couple who did it.
Read more →The VNF Vignette: Paying to Use French Waterways
What the VNF vignette is, who needs it, how the packages and prices work, the discounts, and how to buy it online before cruising the French canals.
Read more →How a French Canal Lock Works: Step by Step for Newcomers
A clear step-by-step guide to working a French canal lock, going up and down, with lines, fenders and lock-keeper etiquette for first-timers.
Read more →Hiring vs Bringing Your Own Boat on the French Canals
Should you hire a canal boat in France or bring your own? An honest comparison of cost, licences, freedom and hassle from a couple who did both.
Read more →Licences for French Inland Waterways: ICC and CEVNI Explained
Do you need a licence for the French canals? A clear guide to the ICC, the CEVNI endorsement and when hire boats are exempt, for foreign boaters.
Read more →The Canal du Midi by Boat: A First-Timer's Overview
What it is really like to cruise the Canal du Midi by boat: distances, locks, the famous plane trees, mooring, and how to plan a first trip.
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