River Saône

The perfect choices for watersports and cruising alike.

The river Saône has its source in the Vosges at Vioménil, and joins the wider river Rhône at Lyon having travelled 473 km.

Map of the waterways

Canal and river map for River Saône

Hotel barges

2 hotel barge cruises

Finesse barge cruise

Finesse

Canal du Centre
8 guests
★★★★★★
Grand Victoria barge cruise

Grand Victoria

River Saône
6 guests
★★★★★★

Half-board barges

La Vie en Rose barge cruise

La Vie en Rose

Burgundy
6 guests
★★★★

Self-drive boats in the River Saône region

Nicols

Nicols operate 16 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Save up to 20%
N DUO rental boat

N DUO

4 guests
2 adults
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★★
From 1201€/week
Save up to 10%
N QUATTRO FLY C rental boat

N QUATTRO FLY C

6 guests
2 adults
2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★★
From 2709€/week
Save up to 20%
N SIXTO rental boat

N SIXTO

8 guests
4 adults
2 children
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1437€/week
Save up to 10%
N SIXTO FLY C rental boat

N SIXTO FLY C

8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★★
From 3257€/week

Locaboat

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

Save up to 25%
P1020 FB rental boat

P1020 FB

5 guests
4 adults
1 child
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1330€/week
Save up to 25%
P1400 FB rental boat

P1400 FB

10 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2135€/week
Save up to 25%
Europa 600 rental boat

Europa 600

6 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 2345€/week
Save up to 25%
Europa 400 rental boat

Europa 400

4 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2184€/week

France Passion Plaisance

France Passion Plaisance operate 11 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Save up to 40%
Tarpon 32 rental boat

Tarpon 32

8 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1572€/week
Save up to 40%
Tarpon 37 DP rental boat

Tarpon 37 DP

6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 1250€/week
Save up to 40%
Tarpon 37 rental boat

Tarpon 37

10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1280€/week
Save up to 40%
Linssen Yacht 36 rental boat

Linssen Yacht 36

6 guests
2 cabins
bathroom
★★★
From 1381€/week

Le Boat

Le Boat operate 28 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Save 25%
Royal Mystique A rental boat

Royal Mystique A

6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
From 2179€/week
Save 25%
Corvette B rental boat

Corvette B

4 guests
2 adults
2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
From 1279€/week
Save 25%
Crusader rental boat

Crusader

6 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget rating
From 1579€/week
Save 25%
Elegance rental boat

Elegance

6 guests
4 adults
2 children
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
From 1839€/week

River Saône information

River Saône

We offer a variety of cruises on the river Saône, so, whether you wish to cruise for one week or two, for just a few hours per day or up to 7 hours, we are sure to have a route to suit you.

The river takes you on a beautiful journey past craggy cliffs through a rolling landscape of valleys, forests and vineyards. Quaint medieval villages and Roman towns will delight the historians, and of course, all will appreciate the fine wines and gastronomy of the region.

Fishing is a popular sport here, and the river is well-stocked. Canoeing, jet skiing and snorkelling are all possible too.

Vineyards are close by and heading southwards from Dijon with the Côte de Beaune,  then the Côte de Nuits, the Côte Chalonnaise, the Mâconnaise and then arriving at the Beaujolais vineyards before arriving at Lyon.

Places to visit near the rivers and canals

  • Fontaine de Confracourt near Pont-sur-Saône
  • Château de Talmay near Pontailler-sur-Saône
  • Beaune and the Hospices
  • Abbaye Notre-Dame de Citeaux
  • The market of Louhans
  • Chateau de Corcelles near Belleville

Heading downstream on the River Saône

  • The old streets of Verdun-sur-le-Doubs
  • Chalon-sur-Saône with the Nicéphore Niépce photography museum and old half-timbered houses.
  • Abbaye Saint-Philibert in Tournus
  • Museum Ursulines, Maison du Bois, the arches of the Pont Saint-Laurent, and the old streets in the Saint Vincent quarter.
  • Hotel de Ville in Belleville-en-Beaujolais
  • Château de Fléchères Fareins
  • Automobile Museum of Henri-Malartre in Rochetaillée-sur-Saône
  • Highlights of Lyon
    • Montée des Chazeaux
    • Montée du Garillan
    • Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière
    • Musée des Arts de la Marionnette
    • Rue Saint-Jean
    • Place des Jacobins
    • Musée d'Histoire de Lyon
    • Place Bellecour

On the Doubs and the Canal Rhône au Rhin

  • Citadelle de Besançon and its museums, the old streets of the town centre.
  • The town of Dole, the birthplace of Louis Pasteur, the Hospice, and the old streets on the river bank.

And restaurants along the waterways

  • Château de Vauchoux at Vauchox near Port-sur-Saône
  • La Chaumière at Dole on the River Doubs
  • L'Amaryllis at Chalon-sur-Saône
  • L'Écrin de Yohann Chapuis and Aux Terrasses in Tournus
  • Le Rasin in Pont-de-Vaux
  • Pierre in Mâcon
  • Gaulin at Mâcon
  • Georges Blanc at Vonnas near Macon (*** Michelin)
  • Restaurant Paul Bocuse, Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or near Lyon (** Michelin)
  • Auberge de l'Ile de Barbe in Lyon
  • There are 8 one star Michelin rated restaurants in the city of Lyon

Information, history and details of the waterways in this region

The Saône   The Doubs   The Seille