In the mountains and on the beach, regulated by social distancing against the Covid-19, holidaymakers this summer could prefer a third way that allows you to go green differently: river tourism. The rivers have shaped not only our landscapes but also our education, our culture, our identity. "To cross the Rhone you have to be two / To get the best to pass you have to know how to dance" , sings the rhyme rhyme. And you can change the river for names of more local rivers, or better known in its region. Almost all of our departments take their name from the rivers and rivers that cross them.
However, the French are less numerous than the foreigners to discover the Hexagon by letting themselves slide, slowly, over the water. “ It is a paradox that I live every day: this tourism is above all acclaimed by the English who helped to develop it. And also by the Germans and the Swiss who are very close to nature. Out of 20,000 customers on our boats each year, we only register 7,000 French people, ” says Ophélie Barrière, deputy general manager of Locaboat Holidays, pioneer of river cruising since 1977.
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According to figures from Voies navigables de France (VNF), the public establishment which manages 6,700 kilometers of canals and rivers (out of a total of 8,500 km), 1,595 locks, 494 dams, 63 underground or tunnels and 74 canal bridges, the French make up 40% of boat rental companies, and less than 20% of the clientele of barge hotels and barge restaurants. European leader in river cruising, CroisiEurope has been striving for several weeks to compensate for the announced absence of Chinese and Americans in particular, by increasing commercial offers - free for children under 16 in August, reduction of 50% in individual cabin for solo travelers, to convince to travel on its ships capable of accommodating up to 150 people (croisieurope.com).
But in this pivotal period of deconfinement, the need to meet up with family or friends, rather gives the desire to embark on "pleasure boats" of less than 15 meters and twelve occupants at most, to live with each other. vacation on the water. The river has nothing to do with boating. You don't need to have your feet to navigate human-made canals.
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Feeling the wind from the river, Samboat, a rental platform between individuals, has been communicating in recent days on the 10% of its fleet dedicated to inland waters. "France is full of treasures far from the crowds and sometimes accessible only by boat," insists Laurent Calando, co-founder of this start-up which rents 842 boats without a license (from € 250 per day for six passengers; samboat.com).
"Motorhome on the water"
Throughout Burgundy on a rental boat without a license from the company Locaboat. ERICH SPIEGELHALTER
"The streams offer breathing spaces little frequented for vacationers and residents wishing to disconnect and take another look at their territories," said Thierry Guimbaud, director general of VNF which has 1,451 boats living space on 94 bases, rented through four large operators (Locaboat, Leboat, Les Canalous, Nicol's). For this purpose, the haul of transport on land, air, rail, and now river routes, the boat has a reassuring "bubble" side. " It's an improved motorhome on the water, which goes a little faster than on foot but slower than on a bike," argues this hiker. Both a lodging and a means of transport.
The fear of boredom linked to the slowness (6 km / h) is quickly dissipated. "This is quality time where you are not polluted by a multitude of other things," says Ophélie Barrière. This brake will also “perhaps evolve after the two months of confinement which put us to the test of time and boredom,” thinks Ophélie Barrière, of Locaboat, who has 250 boats without a license at the start. 18 bases (for a week in July and August for 4 people, count between € 1,869 to € 2,898 depending on the boat model, 10% discount for families; locaboat.com) . Most often, there are bikes on board, which allow you to go with your nose to the wind, pedaling to the villages, markets, surrounding castles . At VNF, we call “river” tourism this coordination between navigation and hiking, ecotourism, cultural discovery.
River navigation is one of the last remaining areas of freedom. You can stop where you want, plant your two stakes on the bank and moor.
Alfred Carignant, CEO of CanalousNavigation on the Canal du Midi, superstar of river tourism. ERICH SPIEGELHALTER
Some 91% of the network is located less than 5 km from a cycle route. "Since 2017, we have enabled the development of 150 km of cycle routes near waterways to promote synergies," says Thierry Guimbaud. In Digoin, in Burgundy, Alfred Carignant is passionately at the helm of the Canalous, the company created by his grandfather, both builder and charterer of boats. There are 300 today, and 40,000 customers who pay an average of 2,000 euros per week for six people (lescanalous.com). "River navigation is one of the last remaining areas of freedom," says Alfred Carignant . You can stop wherever you want, plant your two stakes on the bank with your machete and tie up. ”
The CEO had a hollow nose: "Before the confinement, we had started electronic developments on board for preventive maintenance and to make the customer even more autonomous." Perfect for barrier gestures. It remains to lift a brake: many do not know that a permit is not necessary. And among those who know, many are afraid of not knowing how to drive, note professionals in the sector. “In reality, it's very easy! We do the training, which lasts 45 minutes, ”they all say. And Ophélie Barrière insisted: “We rent vacations, not galleys. We want people to come back. ”
Everything is technically ready to reopen this weekend. Head for the major destinations: the Canal du Midi and the Rhône canal at Sète, the Garonne and the lateral canal at the Garonne, the Center and Burgundy canals, the Marne to Rhine canal, and finally the Vallée de the Lys and the cross-border Lys. "The largest river network in Europe and also the most diverse in terms of destinations and atmospheres", the pride of VNF, is only waiting for the green light from the prefectures.
The Canal du Midi superstar
Passage of a lock on the Canal du Midi ERICH SPIEGELHALTER
It alone generates 30% of French river tourist traffic, generated more than 40 million euros in economic benefits in 2017. From Toulouse to Arles via the plains of Languedoc and the coastal ponds, two axes allow you to discover this masterpiece by Pierre-Paul Riquet, who designed and built the Canal du Midi in the 17th century.
An immersion in the history of the south of France on more than 500 kilometers between the Garonne and the Mediterranean to the rhythm of the passage of the locks (photo), and the visit of medieval cities, castles, abbeys and small villages between vines and pines. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and classified as a French site by the Ministry of the Environment since 1997, it is on the Canal du Midi that there are the main rental bases for boats without a license, such as that of Bram , ideal near Carcassonne and Castelnaudary.
