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From the great mountains of the Alps to the beaches of the French Riviera, and from the rolling fruit orchards of Normandy to the 1001 castles of the Dordogne there is always something new for the visitor to France to discover.

The most popular way to visit France has long been to stay in a gite - a self-catering holiday rental property. These offer many advantages, including the chance to stay in a typical French house in peaceful surroundings, and the freedom to enjoy the countryside at leisure, with no set meal times to follow.

However, in recent years an alternative type of holiday has become very popular in France - a river cruise. Sometimes on quiet rivers, and at other times on parts of the extensive French canal system, these holidays offer the opportunity to enjoy the countryside more than ever before.

No cars to disturb the peace, as you glide gently past the landscapes and unspoiled villages so typical of France, no pressure to get up early in the morning, and no need for anyone to avoid drinking alcohol in the evening because they have to drive home.

The only ‘challenge’ is the locks along the route. Locks are the places where a canal changes level and you need to pass through a series of gates. Usually there is a lock keeper on hand to help, and when you need to operate the lock yourself you’ll find it is really not very complicated, and is actually one of the highlights of the day!

The boats themselves offer all facilities and comforts of course

There are several regions of France that are especially popular with river cruisers. These include the Charente River in western France; the famous Camargue and Provence region near Arles; the beautiful Burgundy countryside of eastern France; and the Canal-du-Midi in the Toulouse region of southern France. The Canal-du-Midi is now a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, so you will be truly cruising through history.

The Alsace region of north-eastern France and the Loire Valley of central France are also popular destinations with extensive river-canal networks to explore.

One little tip before you set off - it is well worth hiring a couple of bikes to bring along so that you can make the most of the scenery in the region. The company that organizes your river cruise will also be able to organize your bike hire.