8-day Houseboat Holiday in the Camargue, France

Boat for 2 x guests in double cabin with ensuite. (space for 2 x guests sleeping in living area)

The Camargue is packed with bustling Crusader ports, sandy beaches and some of the richest flora and fauna in Europe. The south of France enjoys warm sunshine for most of the year and with only a few locks makes it ideal for first time cruisers.

Visit Aigues-Mortes, the fortified medieval town from the 13th century and starting point of the first crusades of King Louis IX, and the famous salt marshes that have surrounded the city since the Middle Ages. Elsewhere enjoy the Mediterranean beaches at Grau du Roi, Palavas-les-Flots, Grande Motte or in Carnon.

See the Camargue's wild horses and bulls, flamingos and an abundance of exceptional flora and fauna. Taste the oysters from Bouzigues, savour a glass of Picpoul or Frontignan Muscat, discover the treasures of the Abbey of Maguelone or Saint-Gilles by road to visit Saint Jacques de Compostela. Last but not least, explore the city of Sete, a maritime town set at the opening of the Etang de Thau lagoon.

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 2 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 EUR (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)

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

Price is calculated for 2 guests. Boat hire is 2 x individual price

Slow Tours offers a number of other Houseboat Holidays in Europe

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]

Read More