All about self-guided cruises

Don’t worry, a quick training session and clear explanations will allow you to get to grips with your boat with complete peace of mind before setting sail. Piloting will be child’s play! All you have to do is let the current carry you along as you please, enjoying the pastoral landscapes that will flash before your astonished eyes.

Once you’ve enjoyed your river escapade, you’ll be overwhelmed by the peace and freedom that emanates from this timeless experience. There’s no doubt that all you’ll want to do is head back to the Saône for another dream cruise!

Stéphane Parinello is one of the leisure boat hire companies on the Saône. There’s no need for advanced training to obtain a short-lived captain’s licence… “The training is provided by a technician,” explains the owner of Saône Plaisance. It essentially involves a practical phase on the boat”. The apprentice captain is shown the details of the cockpit: the steering wheel, a gear lever, the dashboard, a few dials, then the navigation instructions and the route map. “We explain the manoeuvres and how to pass through a lock. Driving is accessible to everyone… in my 30-year career, there have hardly ever been any problems with the temporary navigation licence, which is only issued for the proposed route.