Boating Holidays across the canals and rivers of Europe from Le Boat

Fontenoy-le-chateau

All services are available here should you need to re-fuel the boat, fill up with water, or simply re-stock with groceries.

Corre

If you need water or fuel before you climb the Canal des Vosges, this is the moment to stop.

Jussey

Jussey is a pretty little town with everything a tourist might need: Full range of shops, banks, hairdresser, patisserie, hotel - restaurant, police-station, tourist information office, etc.

Montureux-les-baulay

Fouchecourt

Here is a miniscule but immaculate boatyard , the last place of any note before Jussey & Corre. The proprietors are a charming Swiss couple Heidi & Stephan Werndli, who are dedicated to looking after boaters.

Conflandey

Possibility of dining 'alfresco' on their very pleasant terrace ; and part of the surrounding gardens has been furnished with childrens' playground equipment.

Port-sur-saône

This is a very busy little town, once a regional centre of commerce for cargo barges & the surrounding farming communities.

Scey-sur-saône

Shops, a restaurant, and all facilities available.

Traves

This is another village on a branch of river which has been by-passed. It is rural and peaceful, yet all facilites are available at the waterside development of Saône-Valley residential park & leisure centre.

Soing

Another photogenic little village in a backwater, with shops and a restaurant, also a play area for children and a campsite.

Ray-sur-saone

A very pretty little village in a backwater, ideal for picnics, fishing and swimming.

Seveux

Three to four hours from Gray, after passing through the tunnel of Savoyeux, this is your first opportunity to explore a village and re-stock the boat.

Gray

Gray is a major town on the Petite Saone, with a population of about 10,000. All services and commerces are here, plus the Connoisseur cruiser base. Razed by fire twice in the middle ages, Gray was rebuilt into a major centre of commerce & industry by the 17th century, and reached the heights of its prosperity in the 19th century when it was the head of navigation for the barges which plied their cargoes up and down the Saône valley. In recent times this trade has all but vanished, giving way to light industry and tourism.

Mantoche

Just one hour South of Gray base, this makes a welcome stop for your first night. Mantoche is a peaceful, very pretty rural village with a modest auberge open most days of the week. Fresh water is available, and a bread van calls in the mornings ( listen for the horn beep!)

Pontailler

This is the first town of notable size going South from Gray, lying about three hours downriver. An attractive little community, with shops & restaurants and an unusual church

Auxonne

Sometimes referred to as " the jewel of the Saone valley", and " the second capital of Haute-Saône", Auxonne was a strategically important fortified town in the middle ages. It is nowadays a market town, but still houses the barracks of the 512th. Regt. du Train.

St Jean De Losne

Located at the junction of the Burgundy Canal and the Saône River, St Jean de Losne has become the most important centre for inland boating activities in France . You will find modern moorings with water and electricity and a range of shops conveniently situated close to the port. Near to the water point there is a launderette with washers and driers