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The farmers market of Anjou Sarthe and Mayenne by boat : enjoy your cruise with delicious local products !
Article du 26/01/2026
Finally, once you reached the South end of the Sarthe river, becoming the Maine after merging with the Mayenne : you arrive in Angers. Indeed, in Angers, you will find many farmers market from Tuesday to Sunday. Find all information by clicking here.
Finally, when the Mayenne meets the Sarthe to form the Maine river in Angers. This beautiful city of Anjou has many farmers market from Tuesday to Sunday. Find a map and all timetables through this link.
Sarthe and Mayenne are really famous for livestock farming. Among beef and pork (the famous rillettes of Sarthe), the Sarthe is also wordly famous for its chicken of “Loué”.
Anjou is tremendously rich in term of gastronomy : with wine, pastries, typical dishes, cheese etc …
And of course, straight from the marina of Sablé Sur Sarthe you can buy the famous “sablés” biscuits (and yes, that’s where the name comes from).
And many, many other things along !
The “foués”, “marmite sarthoise” and “pâté aux prunes” are definitely on top of the list. But there are many, many things worth trying such as “riauds” or “rillons”, a good chicken of Loué, “bottereaux”, etc …
If those names means nothing to you, check our article on this link for more information.
Forget about those flashy merchant on the sea front that sales vegetables from other countries. The french countryside is where you can find typical farmers market with real local products, with a much higher quality for a much cheaper price. Expect courageous people that do both the farming and the saling, most of the time with few products, synonym of quality. That’s the best way to get fresh, local and seasonnal fruits, vegetables, meat, wine … And of course, mountains of cheese !
Author : Guillaume GUERIN
A decade of experience in inland water navigation and self-drive boating.
If you are looking to rent a boat in France, here are the frequently asked questions.
Article from the 16/01/26
No. Many inland waters have charters that can hire a boat without any license needed.
Most self drive boat company will ask the driver to be 18+ years old, an ID, and a second crew member of 16+ years old.
Yes. Althought some areas are not advised for beginner because of a dense traffic or navigation hazard (Canal du Midi, Lot, etc …). It is advised to start with an easy area such as Anjou, Charentes, etc …
No. Make sure to have a valid ID with you. We advise to make sure the company you choose can offer a training in English (for example : look if their website is in English as well).
Between 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on your need and the charter’s policies. We advise to make sure you choose a company that is beginner friendly and advertise the time they take for instructions and/or online training.
Depending on the charter : most of them will offer you documents in English. We advise you to check beforehand and contact the company and/or check if their website is translated.
Most charter will include all security equipment and the training. Depending on the region and the company, some will include more. Anjou Navigation, for example, will include bed sheets and linens, towels, the locks and the water will also be free.
Fuel and extras. Most charter will charge the fuel depending on the number of hours you use the engine during the cruise. Some company will charge additionnal fees (like contract fees). Check accordingly. With Anjou Navigation, the only mandatory extra you will have to pay will be fuel, but you can also pay a prepaid fuel package to make sure you have no surprise when returning the boat.
Yes. Most company will offer weekend rentals.
Use the charter’s website and/or direct contact through email or phone. You can also use your local specialized agency but you will most likely pay extra commission. If you wish to book directly, simply check their postal adress and make sure it is situated on the river.
No. Some area of the biggest rivers are not accessible (Loire, Rhin, Seine, etc …) or will only be allowed for people owning a boat license.
Anjou, Lot, Brittany, Charente are often discussed as the best regions for a houseboat vacation.
Yes. Depending on the area : most canals are limited to 6 or 8 kilometers per hour and most rivers around 10 kilometers per hour.
No. Most river boat are not equipped with GPS and mostly use maps. Choose a beginner-friendly area if using a map is difficult for you (Anjou, Charente, etc …).
Both, depending on the region. You will find different kind and size. Some region will also have lock keepers during high season to help you (such as Anjou or Canal du Midi).
Most rental boats come with heating to allow rental in lower season.
Air conditioning can be present in some region and/or range of boat. But keep in mind that the power needed from air conditioning means the boat will come with a generator. Apart from the ecological question this would raise (especially in protected areas where most boats tend to travel to), it is also a source of noise and disturbance for you.
This would depend on the company you hire the boat. Most of them come with an assistance phone number. It is recommended to choose a company that does its own assistance wether than through a third party.
Anjou Navigation, for example, has a 24/7 assistance emergency number reachinga member of its own staff, equiped to meet you if necessary.
Mostly yes. French law makes access alongside river mandatory, so docking/mooring is allowed almost everywhere. Just make sure not to dock on a private mooring (look for licence plates). On natural river, it is recommended to take time to make sure the topogragphy is adapted to mooring. That means avoiding rocky river beds, shallow areas and dangerous inclines.
Swimming will depend on the area you are in : it is recommended to reach the company you are hiring to to ask them. Most local laws in France are forbidding swimming for legal reasons even though they tolerate it.
Fishing is allowed as long as you follow a few simple rules. First, make sure to have a fishing licence (take it in a local shop or through internet). Then, make sure to fish when the boat is stopped and that your lines do not disturb navigation. Finally, make sure to follow standard fishing rules that come with lthe licence. For example : it is forbidden to fish at night or too close from a dam.
It will depend on the region where you are navigating, and most importantly if it is a river or canal network. Canals mostly where used to transport goods and do not necessarily cross a lot of villages/town. If you are looking for restaurants and/or shops along the way, it is recommended to choose a river region, such as Anjou, Lot, Charente, etc …
Author : Guillaume GUERIN
A decade of experience in inland water navigation and self-drive boating.
Anjou Navigation reviews from 01/01/1980 to 01/01/2026 (source : Google Reviews)
4,6/5
You recently went on a cruise with Anjou Navigation and wish to leave your feedback ?
You can do so through three different ways :
Indeed, the company of Anjou Navigation sees customer feedback as of the greatest importance.
Why so ? The self drive houseboat hirerer is using no third party nor subcontractor to provide its services. Meaning it is imperative to have a direct feedback on its strength, weaknesses and customers suggestions.
Those reviews are used to decide the next budget’s focuses. That could be to choose renovation campaigns, implementation of new services, hiring of new collaborators, etc …
So, do not hesitate anymore : wether your feedback is positive or negative : make it known !
Anjou Navigation was created in 1980 and offers houseboat hiring (no licence needed) on the Mayenne and Sarthe rivers. These rivers are located in the Rivers of Western France®, halfway between Paris and Nantes, between Normandy and Brittany.
First and mostly “noliseur” (meaning certified to train crews to navigate without any licence). But it is also a local player willing to make the light on the historical and artistic heritage of Anjou.
Also, specializing in family and friends gatherings, the fleet has evolved toward this. In 2025, Anjou Navigation was maintaining a fleet of 30 boats, of which 100% is owned by the company. These boat can welcome from 2 to 12 people onboard.
Anjou Navigation staff is taking care of the whole customer relation, with no intermediary nor subcontractor. From first contact to training, from maintenance to assistance, etc …
Why and when is the Mayenne closing due to the “écourues”. Let’s take a look !
“Écourues” is our local lingo for river closing. Rest assured : it doesn’t mean we will stop working ; on the contrary !
The écourues are an important part of the life of our rivers. All the dams are opened in order to set the river back to its natural bed (a lot shallower than what we are used to see !).
In the Rivers of Western France®, the river closing alternate between the Mayenne and Oudon, the Sarthe, and the Loir.
And, this year, you guessed it : it is the turn for the Sarthe and part of Mayenne river closing.
The departments (counties) of Maine et Loire and Sarthe are undertaking these “écourues” for several reasons. Among others :
For example : find all the leaks and used seals in locks, hydroelectric dams, etc …
The “écourues” will start in August the 21st and will be done in several phases, by area :
The reopening of these areas will start progressively in November. The end of the whole “écourues” is scheduled for the 21st of November.
If you are scheduling (or already scheduled) a cruise in late 2025, here is what you should know :
Few impact
Anjou Navigtion’s staff has seen many “écourues” : we will help you through the logistics of your cruise if you have any doubt !
You are looking how to rent a boat on the river without any licence ? Here is a little guide that should help you. First of all by explaining what do we call a self-drive hire boat. But also by helping you putting up your project together.
First of all, the term “self drive boat” is a simplification that hides a bigger complexity. Indeed, take any boat from a rental boat company : you can be pretty sure it is a boat that normally requires a licence. Because of its size and/or its engine power. Indeed, as soon as you exceed 6 horsepower, a licence is normally mandatory (that is to say, almost the entirety of boats that you would find).
That is where a “charter” comes in to light. This term describes an enterprise (renter) that obtained a certificate allowing it to train crews and provide them a temporary licence.
Of course, charters cannot rent anything, anywhere and must respect a number of criterias. An easy to sail area, without strong wind nor current or any difficulties regarding commercial boats, etc … What is called in the business a “protected inland area”.
Whereas the process might slightly change from one charter to another, the founding principle stays the same : a training upon departure. This training will go over the essential of what you need to navigate safely.
Reach an licenced charter. Driving is authorized from the age of 16 years old and a training must be completed with the charter to obtain a temporary licence. Make sure to also check the charter’s terms and conditions that could add other requests. Most of the time, another adult and a deposit would be required.
Before renting your boat, here is a fundamental worth preparing ! It is advised to have at least two people physically able : to drive of course but most importantly to moor the boat and helping forevery manoeuver. A good physical condition is strongly advised.
Also, remember navigating is an adventure that is done in minimalistic living quarters, not comparable to the comfort and space of one’s house. So make sure to properly accomodate the heavy snorers, bathroom squatters and energetic children altogether !
Finally, to ensure a serene experience, it is advised to embark an adapted number of adults compared to the number of children onboard. In order to have a proper supervision even while some adults are occupied doing manoeuvers.
Once your fellow sailor are proudly chosen, it is time to find the right ship for this adventure ! Get information from your charter and do not hesitate to give details about your crew to help her/him offer you adapted solutions.
But also, share what kind of visit you are willing to do, what kind of trip you are expecting to have. Is it simply to get a chance to gather the family ? Or do you like seeing historical landmarks ? Maybe wineyards visits ? Etc … A good charter should be able to help you out in these matters as well.
Since the renewal of interest around boat rental, a number of agencies broke out everywhere, from the hardened professionnals to the opportunist businesses … Sometime with agressive business model to attract the maximum of customers through Internet, often lacking transparency regarding who really owns the boat advertised, etc …
It is not always easy to see the difference between real charters and call center middlemen.
Take the time to check adresses and the precision of information given. By reaching the charter directly, you are sure to get expert advices on all the questions you have.
A few days before your adventure, it is time to put the finishing touches to your preparation !
First of all by having (at least) a rough idea of the area you plan to explore. Check a few cruise suggestion by clicking here.
Then, by preparing your luggages properly : click here to get a checklist before casting off.
And finally, make sure you know what kind of training you are expected to undertake on the D-day. A beginner apprentice properly informed is worth a hundred overconfident hardened sailors ! Click here to see an online initiation.
All that is left to do now : schedule an appointment for your crew ! Do not hesitate to reach your charter to check any last details and make an appointment for your arrival !
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72300 Sablé-sur-Sarthe
+33 2 43 95 14 42
(abroad) : (+ 33) 243 95 14 42
contact@anjou-navigation.fr
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