Sailing and Barge Boats on inland Canals and Waterways of France

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Sailing and Barge Boats on inland Canals and Waterways of France

A recreational permit is required to drive the inland waters of France if the engine power of the boat is greater than 4.5 kilowatts (6HP). Non-motorised vessels such as rowing boats, skiffs, canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats do not requite a licence.

The Navigable Waterways

The VNF, Voies Navigables de France, control the navigable waterways, canals and rivers throughout France. The website is in English and French with some articles in Dutch.

• Voies Navigables de France
  Direction de la Communication et de la Promotion de la Voie d'Eau
  At: 175 rue Ludovic Boutleux, BP 820, 62408 Béthune Cedex
  Tel: 03 21 63 24 24
  Fax: 03 21 63 24 42
  Website

• For an interactive map of the navigable waterways: Click here
• For comprehensive information on rivers and canals, and travelling them long- or short-term: Click here (in English)

Pleasure Boat Licences

Prior to 1 January 2008, navigating a vessel over five metres with an engine capacity greater than 4.5 Kw (6hp) and a displacement of over 10m required a permit (certificat de capacité). These licences remain valid in part: the C permit requires additional practical training to allow it to be valid for the 20 metre long boat; the S permit remains valid as is.

• Category C (coche de plaisance): Pleasure boats up to 15m travelling under 20 Km/h
• Category S (bateau de sport): Power boats able to travel faster 20 Km/h
• Category PP (péniche de plaisance): boats (and house boats) longer than 15m but travelling under 20 Km/h

The Recreational Permit (Permis Plaisance)

On 1 January 2008, a new system was introduced. The Recreational Permit (Permis Plaisance) is available for four different purposes, one each for sea and inland waters, each of which can be extended. An applicant must be at least 16 years of age and provide the examination centre with a medical certificate. A theory and practical test must be passed before the permit is issued. 

The inland water permits are:

The QCM is a theory test of 25 questions (four errors are allowed). Practical training may begin before the theory test is taken, but a permit is only issued when the practical and theory tests are passed. A minimum of three hours practical training must take place at a training center.

Permits can be extended with additional tests and training. To attain the "large river craft" permit, the candidate must be at least 18 years of age and have done a minimum of 9 hours practical training on a boat of at least 20 metres in length. 

Applying for the permit

There is a single point of contact in each department: 

• Coastal départements: Contact the Directions Départementales des Affaires Maritimes 
• Inland départements: Contact the Services de la Navigation (and for Nantes, contact the Direction Départementale de l'Equipement de Nantes)
• All contact information is available from the Mer website: Click here (PDF in French)
• Application forms can be downloaded: Click here

Detailed information is available in French from the government website MER.

Owning a Boat

All boats must be registered with the local Commission de Surveillance des bateaux de la Navigation intérieure (CSN). A boat must carry proper identifying markings and have a vignette plaisance. This is a river permit which proves that the fee has been paid in order to use the boat on French waterways, the price of the vignette (disc/sticker) depends on the size of the vessel and the time spent on the river network. The disc/sticker must be displayed in a clearly visible place.

The vignette can be bought from a number of outlets around France (a local tourist office or Mairie will provide information) and can be issued on an annual basis or daily, with seasonal, monthly or 16 day vignettes also available. Vignettes are also sold online, payment by credit card, from the VNF website. See the heading "Vignette Plaisance" (an e-mail address and printer are required for this).

• For more information on the tariffs and locations selling them: Click here (PDF in French) 

In addition to the vignette some tunnels and lifts charge a toll fee. These are the Mauvages tunnel, Riqueval tunnel, and the Montech lift. Prices vary depending on the size of the vessel.

Preparing for a Journey

Navigation charts are available from bookshops or alternatively from:

• La Librairie Fluvial
  At: 36 ave Pasteur, 34473 Perols
  Tel: 04 67 50 42 67
  Website

Many of the river guides are available in English, and the regional tourist offices often have information published in partnership with the VNF.

• For information on blockages and flooding which would make navigation of the waterway impossible: Click here

Inland Boating

The Voies Navigables de France (VNF) oversees the navigable canals and waterways in France. The website, much of it in English, has important local information for all regions.

A skipper sailing the inland French canals and rivers must have an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) certificate and the Code Européen des Voies de Navigation Intérieure (CEVNI) permit and navigation rulebook. The CEVNI test can be taken at RYA recognised training schools. All pleasure boaters must pay a licence toll. This can be paid online and the licence printed out.

Any person planning to charter a boat (sea- or river-going) should request from the charter company details in writing of the certification required, what cruising area this is acceptable for and whether this certification meets the requirements of the relevant authorities in the area concerned. 

• For detailed information on the toll from the VNF in English: Click here (PDF)
• More information from the Voies Navigables de France (VNF) Website (in English) 

Locks

There are around 2,000 locks (écluse) in France. Some locks are automatic, some are operated by a lockkeeper others by the boat's crew. Lock-keepers areas are a good source of information and advice.

Renting a boat

Temporary permits may be issued to the driver of a rental boat for the duration of the rental period and set journey. This temporary ICC is issued after a short training period which includes some practical training on the boat. It can only be issued by approved boat charter companies. 

Boats may be rented and driven by any person over 16 with a valid operating certificate. Foreign ICC cards are accepted.

Rules for Conduct and Safety on the Waterways

Barge boating is subject to strict laws and regulations. The VNF issue guidelines for proper behaviour on the river, lakes and canals. The waterways are used for commercial transport and watersports as well as pleasure craft.

• All boats travel on the right hand side unless otherwise directed
• Merchant/commercial vessels have priority over pleasure boats
• Descending (downstream) traffic has priority over upstream traffic 
• Overtaking takes place on the left hand side and in a safe place. The boat being passed should slow down to allow the faster vessel through
• Follow the instructions on signs and speed limits
• Use signal lights if travelling after dark or in fog
• Every person on board should have a life jacket, and children's jackets should be adjusted to make sure they fit
• Watersports and swimming must be done in designated areas
• Waste must not be thrown overboard 
• Sailing is not permitted at night

• For the complete guidelines from the VNF: Click here

Further Information

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Boat Permits in France

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