You want to start cruising aboard a licence-free houseboat... But you're not an old seafarer and you have possibly never even been on a licence-free boat?

Don't worry, handling a boat is quite simple !

THE PILOTING :

On your arrival, a base technician will come on board with you and deliver you your first lesson, showing you how to steer your boat.  We will take the time that is necessary to show you how all equipment works and how to drive and moor the boat.
You can see how simple it is, the boat is driven using two controls: a two position accelerator lever (forward and reverse) and a rudder to steer the boat.  That's it!

LOCKS :

Along the French and European inland waterways, the lock crossing is free. Generally, locks are operated by a locker and are automatic (except on Lot, Baïse and Charente rivers).
The lock crossing is easy but requires a little bit of agility, you will be given all useful explanations by our base staff.
Lock manoeuvring is simple and not dangerous at all if a few elementary rules are respected. Generally, the manœuve is controlled by the lock-keeper who will appreciate a helping hand from a crew  member to handle the lock doors and sluices when these are not automatically  operated.

ENCOUNTERS:

Apart from the lock-keepers and other people on cruising holidays, you will be able to spot a variety of waterside birdlife such as herons, kites, ospreys, wild ducks, kingfishers and wagtails. Above all, you will meet barge people and fishermen.
Barge owners, who have practically disappeared on certain stretches of water, are friendly people but they do this work to earn their living. So there is one golden rule : they always have priority.
Fishermen do not always appreciate holidaymakers, who, in their opinion, stir things up a little too much, so if you leave enough leeway so as not to cut their lines, slow down a little and ask them the traditional question "Any bites?", then you'll make some new friends.

MOOR YOUR BOAT :

Thanks to a mooring peg, you can moor your boat wherever and whenever you want, this is the freedom of river tourism as your cruise holiday has no constraints.
You are fully free to stop the boat where you like, in the heart of a city, close to a village or in the middle of the countryside…