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
Pontailler-sur-Saône and its waterways
Pontailler-sur-Saône is a small town in the Côte d'Or known as a fishing town. You can hire a licence-free cruiser here and take it out onto the petite Saône and the canal de la Marne à la Saône, through the Burgundy countryside. From here you can reach the Saône, the Seille, the canal de Bourgogne, the canal du Centre and the canal du Rhône au Rhin.
South of the town, the Saône flows on towards Lyon. It is known as one of the finest navigable rivers in Europe. Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon make good stops for their historic buildings and their well-known cellars. North of Pontailler the river becomes narrower and winds more. This stretch is called the petite Saône. It runs through unspoilt countryside and passes small towns such as Port-sur-Saône, Scey-sur-Saône and Gray.
Other routes from the base
You can also take the canal de Bourgogne to Dijon or follow the canal du Rhône au Rhin to Besançon. Other options are the canal du Centre, with its many museums, and the picturesque Seille.
Cruises by length
For a weekend, the return trip to St-Jean-de-Losne covers 74 km and 4 locks in about 10 hours of cruising. On a short break, you can go to Savoyeux and back (114 km, 12 locks, 14 hours) or to Dole and back (104 km, 22 locks, 18 hours).
A week gives you three return trips: Dijon: 136 km, 48 locks, 30 hours Chalon-sur-Saône: 194 km, 8 locks, 20 hours Scey-sur-Saône: 208 km, 22 locks, 28 hours
There is also a one-way week from Pontailler to Louhans via Chagny, covering 213 km and 33 locks in 31 hours.
Two weeks gives you four return trips: St Léger-sur-Dheune and Louhans: 411 km, 50 locks, 55 hours Montchanin: 294 km, 78 locks, 54 hours Corre: 310 km, 34 locks, 40 hours Besançon: 218 km, 66 locks, 44 hours
Burgundy circuits over four or five weeks
The four-week Burgundy circuit starts from Pontailler-sur-Saône or Digoin. It follows the canal du Nivernais, the Yonne, the canal de Bourgogne, the Saône and the canal du Centre. The five-week grand loop starts from the same two bases. It adds the canal latéral à la Loire, the canal de Briare and the canal du Loing, then follows the Yonne, the canal de Bourgogne, the Saône and the canal du Centre.
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.
