This collective work, with a preface by Bruno Podalydès, is part of the collection Gallimard Voyages - Slow travel. It offers a gentle, accessible approach to river travel, with no boating licence required, just a short course at the nautical base.
The book explores barge crossings (Locaboat *), along rivers and canals throughout France (Burgundy, Brittany, Charentes, Camargue, South West France, Ardennes, Alsace) and Europe (Netherlands, Germany, Venice).
For each route, a journalist provides a rich logbook: navigation plans, suggestions for stops, visits, activities for children, etc., and suggests practical experiences based on the regions crossed. These include bike rides, wine and food tastings and contemplative breaks by the water.
The story is a veritable "ode to slowness", encouraging us to savour the journey without stress.
We recommend this book to anyone looking for a quiet getaway in the heart of nature, where every break and every lock becomes an experience in itself, a moment of discovery and a change of scenery.
Before departure, an introductory navigation session with a professional will allow you to move smoothly from theory to practice. On some canals, an instructor briefly accompanies passengers to guide them through the manoeuvres involved in setting sail, and to demonstrate how the locks work and how to trigger the docks.
Locaboat is a company specialising in the hire of river boats without a licence, giving you the chance to explore Europe's waterways in complete autonomy. It offers a varied fleet of Pénichettes® and other comfortable boats, suitable for crews of 2 to 12 people, even novices. The destinations on offer cover several picturesque regions in Germany, France, Italy, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Telephone : +33 (0)3 86 91 72 72
Book : Travelling by water. Itineraries by barge.
Collection Voyages Gallimard - Fine books
Photos : Vincent Grandferry
