City: France
Top Things to do in France
The 10 Best Bodies of Water in France, France
– in Europe (green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (green)
Restaurants in France
1. Gorges du Verdon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,811 reviews
Europe's only grand canyon.
Reviewed By B_Brierley - London, United Kingdom
We visited for 1 day in August 2020, and even in the height of summer with many other tourists, this was still an incredible experience. We arrived at La Base Nautique de l'Etoile which is the closest pedalo/kayak rental to the Gorge opening (on the left bank when looking at the Gorge) at 8:45am and joined the already formed queue of people (opens at 9am). We rented a pedalo for 40Euros for 2 hours - this allowed us to pedal as far as the Gorges allows (in terms of signposts, not in terms of ability) and enjoy some swimming while docked at the side before heading back. We could have used more time to relax and just enjoy. Arriving that early in the morning affords you some quieter time in the Gorge, even in summer, before it gets really filled up with boats/people. Due to our next stop, we ended up driving the D952 to Castellane by total chance which turned out to be one of our TOP drives of all time - just stunning and highly recommended.
2. Lake Annecy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,718 reviews
Reviewed By Curious54739211 - Vancouver, Canada
With one of the cleanest lakes in Europe, this is worth a relaxing stop for 2-3 days to amble along the lakeshore, take a boat excursion on the glacial-fed turquoise lake, hike or cycle, try some delicious raclette and make sure to wander beside the canals of the old town at night with glowing lanterns. Wonderful.
3. L’Etang Aujardiere
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
4. Canal de Bourgogne
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By steverR6826JE - Natick, United States
Dear Bea and Max: It has been almost one week now since our Barge trip with Wine-Water and I seemingly still have a smile on my face. Thanks to the incredible hospitality of you, Max, Lindsey and Jo we had the trip of a lifetime. The Barge came as advertised. It was spacious, well appointed, and felt like we were on our own private yacht rather than a Barge. Your husband Max is not only an accomplished Captain but one of the nicest human beings we have ever met. From his knowledge of the area to his knowledge of wines (I think he must have been a Sommelier in his last life) to his ability to navigate the Barge thru the locks, he was flawless, professional, compassionate and friendly. What more could we ask for? And Lindsey was similarly gracious, knowledgeable, and caring. She did our laundry every day, cleaned and serviced our rooms each morning, and still made time to serve us wine continuously while we hung out either on deck, in the hot tub or below deck in the lounge/kitchen area. What more can a guest ask for!! And to top it off there was Jo, our own private chef. Her lunches and dinners were beyond belief; I never knew that a Barge could also double as a Michelin starred restaurant but indeed it did in our case. As for the negatives, there truly were none. We had 5 adults on board and felt very comfortable and never crowded, and we could easily have had one more adult and felt the same way. I understand that in 2021 you are converting your living quarters from one master and two regular suites to two master suites (going from maximum of 6 adults to maximum of 4 adults); I think either way works but we (my wife and I) are planning to come back once you do the changeover so couples won’t have to figure out who gets the master suite. For us, it was one couple (me and my wife), and our adult daughter and her two girlfriends so the room configuration worked great as each of their suites had a bathroom that was more than spacious and each had twin beds. Our master suite had a king bed and super large bathroom. Again, we felt like we were on a private yacht and not a Barge. I have left a lot out but hopefully any potential guests/customers who read this will want to book with you and your Barge. I am sure there are other Barge choices out there but I am certain none can match the service and quality of Wine-Water.
5. Canal du Nivernais
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
A canal on the River Yonne.
Reviewed By F12MPpeters - Rome, Italy
Canal du Nivernais, Burgundy, France It was our final day on the Canal du Nivernais; the peacefulness of the empty water, the comfortable pace of the passing countryside and time shared with a couple of long-term friends who had invited us to share their cabin cruiser for a spell. We’d joined them on their boat in Decize, having driven from England with a stopover at Laon on the way. We had four days available, so there was no way that we would travel far. The Canal du Nivernais is just 174 km long and connects the Yvonne and the Canal de Bourgogne via Auxerre in the north with the Loire and the parallel Canal lateral á la Loire at Decize in the south. Originally intended to boost the efficiency when floating firewood from local forests to Paris via the Yvonne and Seine, it was only latterly reconstructed as a canal – and then provided in part with locks that were too short to accommodate standard 38.50 m barges. This severely restricted Paris-Lyon through traffic. Work on the canal began in 1784 but then got caught up in the political fallout from the French Revolution five years later; work was resumed in the 1820s with completion of the canal after another 20 years – too late to be a commercial success. From the 1840s-on steam railway networks dominated the movement of freight in France and elsewhere in Europe. For >100 years the canal languished with minimum interest and it was only towards the second half of the 20th century with increased investment in tourism, recreational boating and biking/walking (along tow paths) that the canal has become one of the most popular waterways in France. You don’t initially appreciate this kind of background from the deck of a cabin cruiser; the countryside slowly moving around you – classic rural scenery, livestock, crops, small (typically empty) villages, marching lines of trees, the Aron alongside and below you (so, keep to the towpath side of the canal). Early summer and everything green. There’s plenty of time in which to sit and read all kinds of material including local guidebooks. Four days took us to Chatillon-en-Bazois; starting in Decize and docking in Cercy-La-Tour, Pannecot & Chatillon-en-Bazois en route. We cleared 23 locks rising slowly as we approached Chatillon/Bazois; the highest point on the canal at 262 m is further north near Baye. We travelled <50 km with a guide-book travel time 16 h by boat (and <5 h by bike) – fast by our standards, but we were on holiday and there was much to see/do. Embarking in le Port de Decize we saw little of this picturesque town that has overflowed from the original island in the Loire – except what we saw from the Loire when leaving. We left our car behind the town hospital in the marina car park. Head downstream into the Loire pass under the main town bridge and, couple of km later, turn sharp right into le Canal du Nivernais and there’s the first lock/écluse - #35 (with #1 in Baye). The écluses are where you meet the locals. Locks in the countryside typically have a small house attached – the original home of the lock-keeper. Nowadays the lock-keeper covers 3-4 locks (perhaps more in places) running back and forth with a small car/van/motorino. From first contact you make further arrangements for covering the neighbouring locks during the next few hours (not forgetting that all-important break for lunch). Things worked well. Hop off the boat and you can assist the lock-keeper (and his/her assistants – learners all) winding the gates back/forth under instruction – and practice your language at the same time. First stop Cercy-La-Tour. We met a boatie here who was biking back each evening to collect his car … novel. Take time out to climb the steps to Place d’Aligre; walk around the elegant Catholic Church St Pierre; take in the view across the canal. Next day it was Pannecot – camping site across from the canal in shallow water. We’d looked forward to a meal at La Rustine – famous along this stretch of the canal; it was closed. Wander the village – it was empty of people - everything closed. Back at the port, La Cuisine Nomade (03 86851037) had set up their travelling restaurant – we paid €52.50 for meals/drinks for four of us. Good foods and good value. We’d cruised six easy hours from Pannecot; arriving for 15.30 at the large port of Chatillon-en-Bazois – it was full. Our search for a berth that provided water and electricity came to naught, and we tied up temporarily alongside the main canal and went in search of the Harbour Chief – which failed to achieve anything; she had nothing to offer us. So, we left the boat where we’d berthed, smartened up (such as we could) and headed into town on foot to look for somewhere interesting to share our last evening meal of the holiday together – eating at ‘L’Auberge d l’Hotel de France’. We paid €86.60. Plat du jour - highly recommended. It was time to celebrate ‘le fin de nos vacances á flot’ before collecting the car and heading to Paris Nord the next day; leaving our friends to enjoy the tranquillity of the canal and distant waters during the next two months of summer. And, that reliable taxi service Chatillon to Decize – M. Taxi Guichene Bernard (06 63786138) arrived within 30 minutes of calling. He charged €80. Peter Steele Paris Nord 03 juillet 2018
6. Lac de l'Arret-Darre
7. Poitevin Marshes
8. Baie de Somme
9. Gaube Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,006 reviews
Le plus beau lac des Pyrénées, de France et du Monde évidemment ! En plein coeur du Parc national des Pyrénées.
Reviewed By Tiagusgv - Lisbon, Portugal
Very beautiful place, a nice walk and amazing photos for sure. Small restaurant there. Don’t miss this is you are near.
