About this trip.
Before you book: Canal du Midi vs UK narrowboating — same week, different country, very different holiday · How we vet operators — and the questions you should ask any small-group operator yourself
Port du Houillon, Languimberg
Languimberg is a small village of just 192 people in the Moselle département of Lorraine, in north-east France. The boats leave from Port du Houillon, and you can hire one without a boating licence. Sarrebourg and the Sainte-Croix animal park are both close by.
The village restaurant holds a Michelin star. Its cooking follows the seasons and combines current trends with local flavours, so it's worth booking a meal before or after your cruise.
On the Canal des Houillères de la Sarre
The cruising here is on the Canal des Houillères de la Sarre. The canal runs past forests and farmland and past large reservoir lakes, where there's plenty to do on the water.
Choosing a route
There are short and long options, and most of them bring you back to Port du Houillon. On a weekend you can go out to Arzviller and back (59 km, 2 locks, 10 hours) or to Lagarde and back (42 km, 14 locks, 10 hours). Mittersheim is another option. There's also a one-way weekend route to Waltenheim-sur-Zorn of 66 km.
Mini-weeks go to Saverne (86 km, 28 locks, 20 hours), Dombasle-sur-Meurthe-et-Moselle (104 km, 34 locks, 22 hours) or St Philin (120 km, 34 locks, 22 hours). A full week can take you to Pompey (153 km, 46 locks, 32 hours) or Hochfelden (120 km, 48 locks, 29 hours). You can also do a loop through Sarreguemines and Lagarde, which covers 166 km and 68 locks in 39 hours.
With two weeks you can reach Boofzheim and back (228 km, 88 locks, 53 hours). Another two-week route links Sarreguemines, Lagarde and Nancy, covering 256 km and 96 locks in 56 hours.
The shape of the trip.
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.
The two closest canal holidays on Mooch, both in France. Prices are the operators' own, per boat.
