About this trip.
The River Lot in south-west France
The Lot is a river that carved its own valley — a slow, clear, green thing winding through limestone cliffs between the Dordogne and the Pyrenees. Anglers know it for carp; everyone else comes for the scenery, which is genuinely striking in places: pale cliffs rising straight out of the water, medieval villages clinging to the rock, vineyards running down to the banks. It is a quieter waterway than the Canal du Midi or the Burgundy canals, with fewer boats and a looser rhythm. You moor where you like, often at simple pontoons without mains water or power, and the current reminds you this is a river rather than a flat-water canal.
Cruising from Douelle
Le Boat runs its Lot programme from a single base at Douelle (1180, Le Moulinat, 46140), a small village about 12km from Cahors. The region is compact enough to cover properly in a week. Head west and you reach the medieval town of Luzech within a couple of hours, worth a stop for its gothic architecture and small museums. Turning east from the base, it takes around 3.5 hours to reach Cahors and the Pont Valentré — the fortified 14th-century bridge that is the region's signature image. From Cahors, another 6.5 hours of cruising brings you to St Cirq-Lapopie, the cliffside village perched 100m above the river, one of the most photographed places in France for good reason.
The locks on the Lot are manual, which past guests flag as part of the appeal rather than a chore — enough activity to feel like you're working the boat, not so much that the day turns into a routine. Pontoons are scattered along the river for overnight stops, though several don't offer fresh water or electricity, so it is worth planning refills at the bases and larger towns. There are also Le Boat bikes on board for exploring the villages on foot or by wheel once you're tied up.
Who it suits, and the practical side
This is a good fit for people who want a properly scenic river cruise without heavy traffic or complicated navigation. Several reviewers have singled out the Lot as straightforward to handle even in poor weather, and fine as a first boating holiday — you don't need to run at full throttle to make the distances work, which leaves time for long lunches in riverside villages and afternoons spent tied up somewhere quiet. The boats are self-drive and come with furnished cabins, kitchens and bathrooms, and Le Boat handles the check-in, tuition and on-call technical support. A past guest noted that handover day ran long, with their boat not ready until early evening, so it is worth planning the first night's mooring close to base.
Getting to Douelle is most direct by train to Cahors, 12km away. By air, the nearest options are Brive-la-Gaillarde (102km), Bergerac (107km) and Toulouse (125km), all within a reasonable drive. A downloadable PDF region guide is available from Le Boat, and pricing and availability can be arranged by phone on 020 3468 2247 or through the sales team.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for canal holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓The boat itself, booked by the night or week
- ✓Fuel for the engine at typical cruising pace
- ✓Handover briefing at the base — no licence needed
- ✓Mooring ropes, fenders, lifejackets and a basic starter pack
- ✓24/7 technical support line for the duration of the hire
Typically not included
- ×Travel to and from the base (train, flights, transfers)
- ×Travel insurance with cruise cover (strongly recommended)
- ×Bedding, towels, or end-of-hire cleaning on some fleets (a modest supplement if required)
- ×Food, drink, and groceries — stock up at towpath-side villages
- ×Lock and mooring fees on some European waterways
- ×Pet supplement (typically £20-30 per dog per week if allowed)
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1Do I need a licence?
No. The hire base gives you a short handover covering steering, locks, and safety before you set off. Speed limit is 4 mph on UK narrowboats — slower than a walking pace. If you can drive a car, you can drive a canal boat.
Q2How many locks will I do?
Depends on the route. The Llangollen has about 20 over a week — leisurely. The Caen Hill flight on the Kennet & Avon has 29 in one stretch — a full day's work. Some European routes (Canal du Midi, Camargue) have almost none. The operator's map shows lock counts per day so you can pace yourself.
Q3Can I travel solo?
Most hire companies require two adults on board, mainly so one person can work locks while the other steers. A few allow solo hire on quieter routes — ask the operator before booking.
Q4What's included?
Typically the boat, fuel for the engine, a handover briefing, mooring ropes, fenders and a starter pack (tea, coffee, washing-up kit). Bedding is sometimes included, sometimes £10-20 extra. Food is your own, shopped from towpath-side villages.
Q5What if something breaks?
The hire base has a 24/7 support line. A fitter will usually come out within a few hours. Engines are robust and well-maintained — the most common failures are blocked weed hatches (clearable yourself) and flat domestic batteries.
Q6Is it good for kids?
Yes — lifejackets are provided and kids love working locks. Older children (6+) can help steer under supervision. Toddlers need constant watching near open decks. A reinforced guard rail helps.
Q7Can I bring my dog?
Most hire companies allow one or two dogs for a small supplement (£20-30 per dog per week). They love the towpath walks. The boat will lose its deposit if the dog damages upholstery — bring a blanket.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a 25% deposit at booking, balance 8-12 weeks before departure. Each operator has its own cancellation ladder (steeper close to departure). Travel insurance with cruise cover is recommended.
Three canal holidays, side-by-side.
Other canal holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
