Gold Trusted Service Award
Gold Trusted Service Award
Awarded by Feefo, which independently collects reviews from our customers, the award recognizes businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
Rosette
Boating expertise since 1969
With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water.
Compass
18 amazing destinations
Our extensive network of bases across 9 countries means you can enjoy a return-trip or choose from a wide selection of one-way routes.
Boat
World’s largest fleet
We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people.
Buoy
No boat license required
That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.
  • Gold Trusted Service Award
    Gold Trusted Service Award
    Awarded by Feefo, which independently collects reviews from our customers, the award recognizes businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
  • Rosette
    Boating expertise since 1969
    With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water.
  • Compass
    18 amazing destinations
    Our extensive network of bases across 9 countries means you can enjoy a return-trip or choose from a wide selection of one-way routes.
  • Boat
    World’s largest fleet
    We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people.
  • Buoy
    No boat license required
    That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.
  • Gold Trusted Service Award
    Gold Trusted Service Award
    Awarded by Feefo, which independently collects reviews from our customers, the award recognizes businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
  • Rosette
    Boating expertise since 1969
    With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water.
  • Compass
    18 amazing destinations
    Our extensive network of bases across 9 countries means you can enjoy a return-trip or choose from a wide selection of one-way routes.
  • Boat
    World’s largest fleet
    We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people.
  • Buoy
    No boat license required
    That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.
Le Boat boats

Houseboat hire – Canal boat holidays by Le Boat

Your canal boat: your home on the water!

Le Boat is the no. 1 provider of houseboat rental holidays in Europe & Canada with the world's largest fleet of canal houseboats. Our houseboats are easy to operate and no boating licence or previous experience is necessary. Think about your cruiser as your home on the water, fully equipped with all the amenities of home, including a large and well decorated interior.

 

Our range of houseboats

Excellent standards of customer service, cleanliness and support come with all Le Boat canal cruisers - whatever the rating!

Premier

We award our premier category only to the very newest boats in our fleet – our Horizon range. These were designed exclusively by Le Boat, for Le Boat, and boast an impressively spacious top deck area, with barbecue hotplate and cool box as standard. The saloon and kitchen areas are light and spacious with over-sized windows and both front and rear thrusters make mooring and manoeuvring a breeze.

Comfort Plus & Comfort

Boat classification comfort plus iconsmall Boat classification comfort iconsmall

Good-quality, stylish and well-equipped boats of varying ages, designs and styles. All Comfort and Comfort Plus boats have electric-flush toilets and the ability to hook up to a shore power supply as standard. Comfort plus is awarded to the newer of these boats which are generally more spacious and have more features than the Comfort category - such as BBQ hotplates and deck seat cushions as standard.

Budget

Boat classification budget vsmall

These older boats are our ‘much-loved classics’. Although the décor is more traditional and the features and fittings are quite basic, they are clean, superbly maintained and are equipped with all the essentials for a comfortable stay – including bed linen and towels.

Our licence free houseboats

Please press the orange ‘Refine Search’ button to refine your vacation search by price, duration, size, region and more. We offer large models to accomadate larger groups right down to small canal boats for smaller groups, families or couples. You can also organize your vacation search results by price or popularity using the ‘Sort by’ button:

Unsure which boat to choose?

Compare our boats to find the right one for your crew type and size, thanks to our guide and advice.

Compare our boats

Our Horizon Fleet

Horizon 4 in Canada

Designed and built exclusively for Le Boat, we carefully listened to our customers and challenged ourselves to design a range of boats that tick all of the boxes in terms of social and communal space, ease of handling, accessibility and on-board features.

Our Vision fleet

Vision boat

Ranked among our most popular canal boats our Vision range continues to turn heads on Europe's waterways, with its sleek design, a very spacious sundeck and en-suite cabins.

Why choose Le Boat for your houseboat holiday?

  • The world's largest fleet of self-drive boats
  • The widest choise of destinations to choose from
  • Over 50 years of boating experience
  • No licence or experience required

Rent a houseboat without a licence: Here's how

Cruising on the Canal du Midi

Renting a houseboat without a licence is very easy and promises you an unforgettable holiday with family or friends. If this is your first river cruise, you should know that it is above all very easy! Our houseboats are very easy to drive and you don't need a licence or any previous experience. The only thing you have to do is to choose the ideal destination for your holiday and select the perfect houseboat for your crew: with children, older adults or a group of friends, we will always offer you the best option.

On the day of your cruise, all you have to do is go to the departure base to check in and have a briefing with the base staff. You will be able to ask all the questions and go boating in complete safety.

 

> Find out more about renting a boat without a licence

Where to rent a houseboat without a licence?

Where to rent a houseboat without a licence?

Renting a houseboat without a licence will allow you to explore the most beautiful waterways in Europe, such as the Canal du Midi, the Burgundy Franche-Comté, the River Thames, Venice and the Rideau Canal in Canada. The best way to discover beautiful landscapes with complete freedom is from the deck of your houseboat. You will be able to choose the itinerary you want, the places of interest you would like to visit and where you want to moor your houseboat. For a holiday away from the crowds, our cruising regions will meet all your expectations: whether you like natural landscapes, long bike rides, cultural sites, tasting local food and wine, fishing or golfing, you are bound to find what you are looking for!

 

> Discover our most beautiful destinations now

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