Book Online

Keep In Touch

Request a Brochure

Le Boat 2012 brochureRequest a copy of our new 2012 brochure or view it online.

Le Boat NewsletterGet Le Boat's latest news and offers delivered straight to your Inbox.

Sign up now.

Why Choose Us?

  • Best Cruising Destinations
  • Biggest Choice of Boats
  • One-way Route Experts
  • Unrivalled Support
  • Exclusive online discount!
  • Find out more about us

Price Match Guarantee

Price match 2011 We own and operate our own fleet, so we can deliver you the best value and experience.

Read our guarantee.

Cruising Companion

The Le Boat Cruising Companion Plan your route using our comprehensive guide including pictures and maps.

Nivernais
  • Easy region to reach by car or train from Paris
  • Beautiful waterways, free of commercial traffic
  • Manual or Automatic locks with lock keepers

Canal du Nivernais, East of France

The charming Canal du Nivernais, reputed to be one of the prettiest in France, and its surrounding network of equally pretty waterways ~ the Canal de Bourgogne and the River Yonne ~ give access to some of the most beautiful and varied cruising areas of France.

Cruising highlights include:

  • World-renowned food and wine
  • Stunning views from medieval hilltop villages especially Chatel Censoir, Vezelay & Clamecy
  • Beautiful architecture; the gothic cathedrals at Auxerre and Sens
  • Superb network of cycle paths and flat towpaths between Clamecy and Auxerre
  • The medieval artisan town of Clamecy - known as the town of beautiful reflections
  • Sample delicious Pinot Noir and Chardonnay local wines at 'Caves du vin' en route
  • Wonderful local markets for fresh produce - visit Florentin or Villeneuve-sur-Yonne
  • Splendid Chateaux at Chatillon-en-Bazois and Chitry-les-Mines
  • Superb watersports on the lake at Baye

Explore our cruise routes:

The Tannay Cruise

Tannay > Auxerre > Tannay

  • History and Heritage
  • Gastronomy
  • Cycling
  • Fantastic Fishing
  • Wonderful Wildlife

Tannay produces some fantastic wines and is reputed for its traditional wineproducing methods. Savor regional delights on both sides of the canal en route to Auxerre, the former capital of the region.

Duration:
One Week
Cruise Type:
Return Trip
Distance:
156 km
Locks:
76
Cruise Time:
38 hrs


Check Availability

The Decize Cruise

Decize > Baye > Decize

  • History and Heritage
  • Gastronomy
  • Cycling
  • Watersports
  • Fantastic Fishing
  • Wonderful Wildlife

Cercy-la-Tour provides stunning views over the village and valley below while Châtillon-en-Bazois is home to one of the region’s most splendid châteaux. The lake at Baye provides excellent watersports facilities.

Duration:
One Week
Cruise Type:
Return Trip
Distance:
144 km
Locks:
72
Cruise Time:
30 hrs


Check Availability

The Wine Lover's Cruise

Decize <=> Tannay

  • History and Heritage
  • Gastronomy
  • Cycling
  • Fantastic Fishing
  • Wonderful Wildlife

From the charming town of Decize head to Tannay, passing some of the region’s best-loved châteaux and castles en route at Chitry les-Mines and Châtillonen-Bazois. Enjoy wine tasting and shopping at Tannay before heading back to Decize.

Duration:
One Week
Cruise Type:
One Way
Distance:
99 km
Locks:
72
Cruise Time:
35 hrs


Check Availability

The Chablis Cruise

Châtel Censoir <=> Migennes

  • History and Heritage
  • Gastronomy
  • Cycling
  • Fantastic Fishing
  • Wonderful Wildlife

Chatel Censoir - Migennes (or vice versa)

Set off on this classic Canal du Nivernais cruise from the beautiful port beneath the hilltops at Châtel Censoir. Visit Auxerre’s old quarter with its abbey and cathedral before cruising to Migennes.

Visit: Châtel Censoir; Vermenton; Auxerre; Migennes

Waterways: L’Yonne; Canal du Nivernais

Duration:
One Week
Cruise Type:
One Way
Distance:
65 km
Locks:
31
Cruise Time:
16 hrs


Check Availability

The Classic Nivernais Cruise

Tannay <=> Migennes

  • History and Heritage
  • Gastronomy
  • Cycling
  • Fantastic Fishing
  • Wonderful Wildlife

Tannay - Migennes (or vice versa)

A beautiful cruise on the Canal du Nivernais and the River Yonne visiting medieval Clamecy, Châtel Censoir and Auxerre. Clamecy is surrounded by water and known locally as the ‘town of beautiful reflections’. Wander the maze of narrow streets lined with beautiful old houses and buy delicious chocolates, spicy sausage and foie gras. Enjoy a ...

Duration:
One Week
Cruise Type:
One Way
Distance:
100 km
Locks:
50
Cruise Time:
28 hrs


Check Availability

The Arts & Culture Cruise

Châtel censoir > Clamecy > Auxerre > Châtel Censoir

  • History and Heritage
  • Gastronomy
  • Cycling
  • Fantastic Fishing
  • Wonderful Wildlife

Stop at the hilltop artisan town of Clamecy and Auxerre, the former medieval capital of Burgundy on this journey along the Canal du Nivernais and the River Yonne. Perfect towpaths make for great cycling.

Duration:
One Week
Cruise Type:
Return Trip
Distance:
120 km
Locks:
58
Cruise Time:
35 hrs


Check Availability

The Rennaissance Cruise

Châtel Censoir > Corbigny > Châtel Censoir

  • History and Heritage
  • Gastronomy
  • Cycling
  • Fantastic Fishing
  • Wonderful Wildlife

From the picturesque port of Châtel Censoir, follow the beautiful Canal du Nivernais as it winds its way through the woodland and pastures of the peaceful Morvan countryside. Silver was mined in Renaissance times around the hills of Chitry-les-Mines and 17th century Corbigny was once defended by 14 towers – the remains of one can still be seen today. Stop ...

Duration:
One Week
Cruise Type:
Return Trip
Distance:
106 km
Locks:
52
Cruise Time:
34 hrs


Check Availability

The Burgundy Chateaux Cruise

Migennes > Ancy le Franc (Montabard) > Migennes

  • History and Heritage
  • Gastronomy
  • Cycling
  • Fantastic Fishing
  • Wonderful Wildlife

Cruise past vibrant fields of yellow rapeseed or red poppies, fields of wheat and pretty lock houses with window boxes of colourful geraniums. Tall poplar trees line your route providing shade and tranquillity. St. Florentin has a wonderful market and good restaurants, while the ancient city of Tonnere in the heart of Burgundy, is famous for its ‘Fosse Dionne’ – ...

Duration:
One Week
Cruise Type:
Return Trip
Distance:
106 km
Locks:
46
Cruise Time:
29 hrs


Check Availability

The Cathedral Cruise

Migennes > Sens > Joigny > Migennes

  • History and Heritage
  • Gastronomy
  • Fantastic Fishing
  • Wonderful Wildlife
  • Horseback Riding
  • Great Golfing

This is an easy cruise on the River Yonne with few locks, so you’ll have plenty of time to admire the magnificent architecture of the wonderful gothic cathedrals at Migennes and Sens, as well as for historic sightseeing, shopping and fabulous restaurants! Spend time in the delightful medieval village of Joigny and Villenauve-sur-Yonne has a superb Tuesday market and 13th ...

Duration:
One Week
Cruise Type:
Return Trip
Distance:
88 km
Locks:
20
Cruise Time:
21 hrs


Check Availability