8-day Self-drive Houseboat in Brittany, France

Boat for up to 5 x guests in 2 x double cabins with ensuites. (space for 2 x guests sleeping in living area)

Explore a land of magic and mystery, rich in colour and traditions with a boating holiday in Brittany cruising the canal from Nantes to Brest. Enjoy historical treasures and remarkable natural sites: Josselin with its magnificent castle reflected in the water, Malestroit and its 15th century houses, the craftsmen village of Gacilly, Redon, founded in 832 or Blain with its traditinal popular arts museum.

The river Vilaine takes you to Rennes, the capital of Brittany, and on to Dinan with its surrounding ramparts and quaint village dating back to the 13th century. 

Following the Erdre river you will pass fantastic golf courses, and count 17 chateaux within just 15 km of waterways on this stretch. In 2 hours of locks free cruising you will be at the heart of Nantes and all its treasures: cathedral St Pierre, the chateau of the Dukes of Brittany, the Pommeraye passage, musuem of fine arts, the machines of the Ile, and more.

Included in your houseboat holiday:

• Your boat for 8 x days (Saturday to Saturday or any other day except Sunday, subject to availability) excellent well-crafted boat with a capacity of 4 guests (room for 2 x visitors sleeping in living area). Departure is between 3-6pm Saturdays; return your boat between 8-9am the following Saturday. For other possibilities of extended days, shorter breaks and weekends, bigger or smaller boats - please contact our office: [email protected] 
• Captain's handbook: preparation and advice for a trouble free cruise from start to finish
• Navigation chart: vital for a well-organised cruise. In it you will find the location of locks, water fill-up points, places of interest etc. 
• Base location map: instructions for locating your departure base easily
• Navigation instruction: video giving advice for the navigation and security instructions to live aboard your cruiser.
• Boat equipment, all equipment necessary for navigation
• Boat insurance
• Instructions on navigating the waterways and your temporary boat licence
• Breakdown assistance available 7 days per week during base operating hours
• Inventory: a list of all interior and exterior equipment
• Crockery etc. enough for everybody on board
• Bedding: sheets, blankets or duvets, pillows and pillow cases

Not included:

• Boat fuel: you start with a full tank (All consumables such as oil, fuel, gas etc. used are included in your charge. All cruisers are fitted with a meter which is read on your departure and on your return. The number of hours of engine fuel used will be invoiced according to the rate displayed at the base. On average between 30-60 EUR per day.)
• A bond of 1000 EUR (repaid to you at the end of your cruise if the boat and its equipment are brought back clean, in good condition and undamaged, at the time and place agreed on)
• Waterways guide: 25 EUR
• Barbecue rental: 40 EUR
• Power converter rental 12/220v: 10 EUR
• Wifi on board: 50 EUR
• Deck mattress: 10 EUR each: comfortable and foldable mattress for relaxing on theroof or front deck of your boat
• Bikes 40 EUR each
• One-way cruise: from 150-350 EUR depending on distance from the original base (not available in all regions, and charge is according to distance for recovery between the bases)
• Final cleaning (required) internal and external at end of cruise: outside 50 EUR, inside 100 EUR (total clean 150 EUR)

Option 1 'all inclusive' package:

• Fuel package + cleaning price
• Waterways map
• Set of towels for each passenger
• Kitchen towels kit
• 2 x bikes
• May be collected and paid on arrival (from 430 EUR)

Option 2 'hotel' package:

• Cleaning price
• Set of towels for each passenger
• Kitchen towels kit
• May be collected and paid on arrival (190 EUR)

Slow Tours offers a number of other Houseboat Holidays in Europe

Please check with our office for availability of boats and for the dates you require: [email protected]

Price is calculated for 4 guests. Boat hire is 4 x individual price.

Ask us about your houseboat hire: departures any day except Sunday; boats available from 2-10 guests; boats available in other parts of France, Germany, Netherlands, Hungary and Portugal: find the right boat and location for you at [email protected]

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