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
Mailly-le-Château on the Canal du Nivernais
Mailly-le-Château is a small village in the Yonne, on the banks of the Canal du Nivernais and on the edge of the Morvan regional natural park. From here you can hire a boat that needs no licence and cruise the Nivernais, or head for the Canal de Bourgogne instead.
The Canal du Nivernais links the Loire basin with the Seine basin and runs through countryside where the natural environment is well preserved. Work on it began at the end of the 18th century. Its history is tied to timber from the Morvan, which was floated along it to Paris. Les Canalous' base sits on the canal bank, and the Tarpon is among the boats available here. Boats take groups of family or friends of up to 12 people.
Places to visit along the way
The Bois du Parc nature reserve is one of the suggested outings. Auxerre is not far from Mailly-le-Château. You can also visit the hamlet of Bailly and the Bailly Lapierre cellars. The Rochers du Saussois are limestone cliffs more than 60 metres high, and they give a very different view of the Yonne valley.
Suggested routes from the base
Trips can last anything from a weekend to two weeks, and you'll pass through between 20 and 99 locks depending on the route. The base suggests these itineraries:
Weekend: Mailly-le-Château to Vermenton and Cravant-Bazarne and back, 36 km, 20 locks, about 10 hours.
Mini-week: Mailly-le-Château to Tannay and back, 92 km, 42 locks, about 22 hours.
One week: Mailly-le-Château to Clamecy and Corbigny and back, 128 km, 66 locks, about 36 hours.
One week, one way: Mailly-le-Château to Châtillon-en-Bazois, 90 km, 71 locks, about 31 hours.
Two weeks, one way: Mailly-le-Château to Briare, 262 km, 99 locks, about 61 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.
