Canal trips

This is a brilliant initiative, boat trips are the most expressive traveling ways. I think it's just a matter of time for you to succeed, tourist are generally attracted to such trips. My best holidays are related to boating holidays.

Hi Just read you post and you seen to know about barging in France so I wondered if you could help us. Basically we would like to know about the licensing requirements for piloting a 30m+ barge on the french canals. We are finding it very difficult to learn anything about what we need to get a license. We are in the UK at present. Hope you can help. Many thanks Steve

Hello,

Probably the best online resource for this information is http://www.burgundy-canal.com/.

There you'll be able to learn about the history of the Burgundy canal and about the different types of barges you can rent. There are different styles of boat from the self drive to the B and B and each has its own advantages. The one good thing is that if you take a self-driving boat, you do not need a license! Anyway this will give you a good idea of what your options are and what you need to prepare for the trip

If you're looking for a the more luxurious option, you can have a look at this page :

http://www.france.com/docs/62.html

And, finally, for a book on the experience of barging on the "canal de Bourgogne" as the French call it, read:

Bare Barging in Burgundy by Erasmus Kloman

Have fun, and report back!

Estelle