In recent years, freshwater cruises have become increasingly popular in France and elsewhere. Here is an overview of a sector that continues to attract new enthusiasts, much to the delight of industry professionals, many of whom will be present at the Paris Nautic Show.
Nature at the pace of the water. Let yourself be lulled by the waves, discover or rediscover places with a different perspective and a different tempo. Freshwater cruises guarantee a chance to disconnect and escape, combining authenticity and modernity while ensuring low carbon emissions during your stay. France is brimming with opportunities for beautiful getaways along the water, whether on the Seine, the Loire, the Garonne or the Rhône. These stays on the water are opportunities to praise slowness and gently discover the French art of living.
The entire industry has adapted to this boom in demand. The family and intergenerational dimension is thus becoming increasingly significant. According to a study carried out last year by the National River Tourism Observatory, the satisfaction rate among tourists concerned stands at 94%. The figures speak volumes about the current momentum: in 2024, 208,500 people were transported on river cruise boats, with 125,600 more overnight stays than in 2023. In total, the fleet of pleasure craft for hire comprises 1,372 boats spread across 74 hire bases. Although the number of boats is decreasing, the number of jobs in the sector remains stable.
An industry that adapts to current changes
This can be explained by the upgrading of the fleet and all the services offered by professionals. This observation is linked in particular to the rise in popularity of short breaks. While the average rental period remains at 6.5 days, some operators are making it easier to book shorter stays, such as weekend breaks. It is worth noting the significant disparity in the age of customers, with those aged 30-59 (42%) ahead of those under 30 and over 60 (29% each).
At the same time, the recreational boating rental industry is taking steps to adapt to navigation constraints linked in particular to climate change. This is what is driving players to offer a new, tailored experience that helps build loyalty among a new customer base. Many professionals have committed to gradually switching to biofuels in order to drastically reduce CO2 emissions. At the same time, even though it involves significant technical and financial investment, discussions are underway with a view to converting to electric propulsion. This development will undoubtedly help to capitalise on the current momentum of the river transport industry in France.
River tourism in figures*:
99,000 passengers transported by rental pleasure boats
1,725,550 overnight stays sold on river cruise boats
6.5 days, the average rental period for pleasure boats
4.6 people on board on average for pleasure boat rentals
12,564 private pleasure boat vignettes sold in 2024
208,500 passengers on river cruise boats
37,497 people, the capacity of pleasure boats
*Figures provided by the National River Tourism Observatory for the year 2024
