Frequently Asked Questions

INSTRUCTION AND BOAT HANDLING

All our boats are easy to handle. No special licence is required. On your starting day, you will be given all the necessary instructions so that you become “the perfect captain on board”. We will give you a “carte de plaisance”, a provisional licence valid for your cruise.

LOCKS

Locking is a simple and pleasant operation if you respect the instructions which are given on your starting day. There are not many locks in Aquitaine and they are often automatic and free of charge. The locks of the Lot-Aquitaine, the Garonne and the Baïse are open from April 1st to November 1st inclusive daily from 9 am to 7 pm (6 pm in October). On the canal, locks are open daily (except 1st of May) from 9 am to 6 or 7 pm (depending on the season).

BOATING SEASON

Our boats are available from the end of March to the beginning of November. Take advantage of reduced rates by booking your boat for spring and fall. The booking prices are cheaper out of season.

CANAL OR RIVER?

Depending on the chosen departure base, you will cruise on canal and/or river. Rivers are naturally wilder than the manmade canals and are therefore more susceptible to the possibility of flooding, especially in Spring and Autumn, or drought in summer (Lot-Aquitaine). Some navigation restrictions may occur as a result of this flooding/drought and for your own safety we may restrict cruising to the canal only or change your departure base, which will not, under any circumstances, be ground for cancellation.

DEPARTURE AND RETURN DAYS AND HOURS

TYPE OF BOAT

The accommodation and level of comfort on the boats vary from type to type:

If you can, choose a bigger boat than that recommended in the brochure for the number of people in your party to avoid converting the living room into a bedroom.

LIFE ON BOARD

In our well equipped and comfortable boats, you will soon feel at home. Navigating and discovering the area will make life on board pleasant and far from boring. Everyone will be busy – handling the boat, going through locks, going shopping, preparing meals, cycling and walking in the nearby countryside…
A healthy and simple life following nature’s rhythm.

CHILDREN

Children love holidays on board. On our boats, they are completely safe with our life jackets and the guard-wires which surround the boats. Some boats are better for a certain age than others. Do not hesitate to contact us for further information. And children won’t be bored. Depending on their age, they can navigate, help with the manoeuvres, go off to explore, observe nature, go for a bike ride, fish…

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

In the unlikely event of a breakdown, our staff will do their utmost to come and help you as soon as possible. We remain at your disposal every day, any time during regular working hours.

FUEL, GAS, WATER

Enough fuel and propane gas are provided on the boat for your cruise. You will have to fill up with drinking water every 2 or 3 days in different harbours. Depending on the boat, there is more than enough fuel and propane for a 1 or 2 week cruise. The fuel, gas, oil and sundry motor requirements are calculated at the end of your cruise depending on an hourly navigation rate according to the boat types.

ELECTRICITY

Our boats provide power at 12 Volts by the cigar lighter and 220 Volts by an adapter to reload mobile phones, video cameras and laptops. A 220 Volts power supply is also available in harbours (an electrical extension cable is at your disposal on each of our boats) for all other electrical equipment.

WHAT TO BRING

Comfortable clothes, soft and non-slip shoes (trainers), toiletries, flash-lights, battery operated radios, and extra blankets or duvets in case of cold weather. You will need protection from the sun: creams, sunglasses, a hat… and don’t forget to bring your camera!

YOUR CAR

Free parking is available at the port. An unsupervised car park and unsupervised locked garage are also available.

BICYCLES

Highly recommended. You will enjoy using them to do your shopping in town or even to visit the surrounding countryside. You can also book a free child carrier. The bicycles are under your full responsibility during your holiday.

PERSONAL INSURANCE

The insurance included in the boat booking does not cover any responsibility for third parties, any personal liability, any responsibility for your belongings and equipment nor cancellation or interruption of your cruise.

HOW TO BOOK

1. Online availability and reservation for Buzet

2. Reservation by internet or letter

PAYMENT

METHOD OF PAYMENT

BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE

We will send you complete documentation including:

ON ARRIVAL AT THE PORT

We only ask you to go through the final formalities (inventory of fixtures, navigation contract, extras, deposits, …) while your crew starts to install the luggage on board or goes shopping for the first day. A technician will welcome you on board to give you instructions and to show you how to navigate the boat. You should allow between 1h30 and 2 hours before setting off.

ON RETURNING TO THE PORT

Don’t forget to return your boat empty and clean at the agreed time and place!
The staff at the port is at your disposal to provide you with any equipment you need for cleaning the boat (vacuum cleaner and cleaning products).

OUR PRICES INCLUDE

OUR PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE

ONE-WAY CRUISES

In some regions, we can offer one-way cruises (one-way supplement : 110 €/week ; this does not include transfers of vehicles or passengers). One-ways may be subject to unforeseen circumstances which can impede their operation. Considered as an additional service, a one-way cruise as well as its direction are only confirmed 48 hours before departure.

The port of Buzet