Anjou - Loire

Castles and watermills; easy cruising for beginners

Boating destinations for the Anjou and Loire

Just a few hours from Paris, discover Anjou and three beautiful waterways the Mayenne, the Sarthe and the Oudon. The Anjou is reputed for its friendly way of life, gastronomy, wines, castles and Abbeys.

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Map of the waterways

Canal and river map for Anjou - Loire

Luxury hotel barges

Nymphea barge cruise

Nymphea

Loire Valley
6 guests
★★★★

Self-drive boats in the Anjou - Loire region

Nicols

Nicols operate 14 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

N OCTO Fly 12 rental boat

N OCTO Fly 12

12 guests
4 adults
4 children
6 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 3125€/week
Save 15%
N PRIMO rental boat

N PRIMO

4 guests
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★
From 998€/week
Save 15%
N1160 rental boat

N1160

10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1462€/week
Save 15%
N1010 rental boat

N1010

8 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1373€/week

France Passion Plaisance

France Passion Plaisance operate 4 different types of self-drive boats in this region.

Espade Concept Fly rental boat

Espade Concept Fly

9 guests
4 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★
From 1180€/week
Haines Rive 40 rental boat

Haines Rive 40

8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★
From 1638€/week
Tarpon 42 rental boat

Tarpon 42

12 guests
4 adults
2 children
7 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1780€/week
Tarpon 37 rental boat

Tarpon 37

10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1280€/week

Anjou - Loire information

Anjou - Loire

Named after the Gallic Andegavi people that lived there, Anjou is a historical region of France, formerly a county and province, which occupied the more significant part of the department now known as Maine-et-Loire, with its capital city being Angers.

In the northwest of France, Anjou is a unique region, in between the Loire Valley and Brittany, and just 2½ hours from Paris. Here you can cruise through green and wooded landscapes dotted with numerous riverside villages such as the charming Chenillé-Changé on the banks of the river Mayenne.
Explore Laval’s dramatic castle with its underground chapel and donjon.

Take time to marvel at the Romanesque and Gothic cathedral of Angers, Saint-Maurice d'Angers, and the 9th-century Château d'Angers.

The town of Solesmes is known for being one of the most substantial Benedictine abbeys in the world, and you can enjoy the monks singing Gregorian Chant in the abbey church. Visit the Roman-Gaul Baths at Entrammes, discovered in 1987. A church built over the baths accounts for their remarkably well-preserved state.
You could also visit Le Mans, renowned for car racing.

Those with a sweet tooth will love the Angers speciality of Quernons d'Ardoise, caramelised praline coated in smooth blue chocolate, imitating in shape and colour the slates that cover the houses of the town. Biscuit lovers will enjoy the delicious round shortbread of Sablé, often flavoured with almonds, lemon or orange zest.

Anjou is perhaps best known for its rosé wines which come in two distinct forms: the semi-sweet, Rosé d'Anjou and the more complex Cabernet d'Anjou.

Positioned in the valley of the Loire and with coastal influences, the climate in Anjou is mild. With over 300km of rivers dedicated solely to boating for pleasure, this is an ideal region for a cruising holiday.

Without many locks, this is a perfect choice for beginners. There are three rivers for you to discover: the beautiful and sometimes wild Mayenne, the twisting Sarthe, bordered by willows and other trees, and the Oudon, the shortest navigable river in France.

Information, history and details of the waterways in this region

The Oudon   The Mayenne   The Sarthe   The Maine