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Riverly Reviews 

963
TrustScore 4 out of 5

4.2

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Everything happened fairly much as planned. Geronimo was very helpful during check-in. He also provided us with a cart to bring back our groceries for the boat. The boat functioned properly except the... See more

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Rated 4 out of 5 stars

The towns along the Petite Baise were fabulous with power and water at most stops. It exceeded all expectations. The boat was old, beds uncomfortable with very thin mattress and pillows, and mould ar... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

An incredible experience on a large and beautiful E400 boat. We were greeted and instructed by very kind and helpful staff. We spent a wonderful weekend enjoying the landscapes along the river. My hus... See more

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Rated 4 out of 5 stars

The boats clean & tidty great kitchen for on board cooking, plenty of plates glasses etc & utensils.on our boat I was a little disappointed in the fridge,freezer worked well but fridge did not..Predep... See more

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Company details

  1. Houseboat Rental Service
  2. Pet-Friendly Accommodation
  3. Vacation Rental

About Riverly

Written by the company

About us: Riverly is the French No. 1 for licence-free boat rentals, offering getaways on the rivers and canals of France for stays of 2 nights or more (Canal du Midi, Burgundy, Camargue, Canal de Nantes à Brest, Alsace, Lot, Charente...).

Our boats can accommodate from 2 to 12 people and are fully equipped with all the comforts of home (kitchen, bathrooms, cabins...), making them perfect for disconnecting for a weekend or a week.

On the agenda: gliding along the water in the heart of nature, cycling along the towpath, visiting local wine cellars and buying regional produce at the market, exploring 15th-century villages, meeting passionate lock keepers, improvising a BBQ on the riverbank... so many special moments to share with friends, family, or as a couple.

Riverly was born from the merger of 2 leading French companies in the river tourism industry, combining over 50 years of expertise: Locaboat and Nicols.
As a result, our fleet features 2 distinct boat styles:

  • The Pénichettes (like the Néo model), which evoke the authentic charm of traditional inland barges.
  • The Cruisers, featuring the sleeker lines of classic yachts.

What our customers love: the new "riverlife"

  • True disconnection: 99% of our customers say that river tourism offers a real sense of escape without having to travel far.
  • Absolute freedom at your own pace: you have the wonderful luxury of following your own desires, with no schedules or set itineraries.
  • Being surrounded by nature.
  • Spending genuine, quality time together.
  • It's very easy:
    • No boating licence required.
    • Accessible to everyone (including children and pets).
  • It's great fun:
    • A multitude of activities (boating, sightseeing, cycling, local tastings, golf, fishing, festivals...).
    • A refreshing change and a whole new way to travel.
  • It brings people together: everyone plays a role in the boat manoeuvres and participates in the adventure.

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4.2

Great

TrustScore 4 out of 5

963 reviews

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4.2

All reviews

(963)

24 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 4 out of 5 stars

First canal experience

This was our first time on a canal boat so didn’t know what to expect but all seemed well organised to us and staff always responded quickly before and during our trip - and the trip didn’t go without its unusual experiences 🙈😊 on the good ship Mont et Marre. Four from Jersey 🇯🇪

16 September 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your opinion. We're glad you enjoyed the Locaboat experience. Best, Julien.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Experience

Excellent service. The team was very responsive. I emailed several times prior to the trip, and got prompt answers every time. On pick-up day, the staff was competent and friendly.
The boat was in perfect condition and clean. Not much else we could have asked for.

19 September 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your opinion. We are happy to have satisfied you whether it is on our teams or our boats. Sincerely, Julien.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

First time Locaboater--largely satisfied.

Email communications were largely clear and understandable. Locaboat staff (Audrey) was very helpful.

16 September 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your opinion. We hope this first time is the beginning of a long list of cruises aboard our license-free Pénichettes. Best, Julien.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Everything as described

Everything as described. No surprises. Friendly people eager to help. Boat worked perfectly

16 September 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, we are happy to have given you complete satisfaction. Sincerely, Julien.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

The nature the you can see during the…

The nature the you can see during the trip, and the people you meet during the navigation.

6 September 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your rating. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience with Locaboat. Best, Julien.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Loved boating on Lot River

Loved boating on Lot River. Scenery is magnificent. Plenty of places to eat and some good grocery shops in places. Our penichette flying bridge was fine for 6 adults.
We did find the boat had not been serviced thoroughly, with dirty dishes and some equipment missing. Be warned the detergent supply is minimal and linen supplies are as well especially if you are away 10 days as we were.

24 August 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your rating. We're glad you enjoyed navigating the Lot, despite the experience it requires. We attach great importance to the quality of our services and the cleanliness of our boats, it is indeed not normal to have had dirty dishes on board. We will pass on this information to our base in Cahors. Finally, as regards bedding, you don't have to provide it in addition, just ask for an extra sheet kit on departure. Best, Julien.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Nice boat ,lovely canal

Nice boat ,lovely canal, and well looked after

19 August 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your review. We are happy to have welcomed you on our license-free Pénichettes. Sincerely, Julien.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great penichette

Great penichette, great staff, great location, great fun!!

5 August 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your review. We are happy you had fun on our boats. Best, Julien.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Locaboat on the Saone River from St Ledger

Staff operations and staff culture are great - flexible, easy to get along with, helpful. This is the third trip we've done with Locaboat - we obviously love the experience and freedom of travelling along French canals and rivers and French engineering, architecture and food are as good as it gets. Service levels are good - we had a plumbing issue that was fixed quickly and effectively. Downside is that the boats we've hired on the last two trips have been aging and pretty weary. Comfortable enough, but they are probably ready for retirement or refit with a few more onboard amenities.

24 June 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your review and your compliments about our teams. As far as the boat is concerned, we advise you to choose a Flying Bridge Penichette for your next cruise, as these models are more recent than our Aft-deck ranges. Best, Julien.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service

Very kind and helpful provider, excellent service.

19 July 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your opinion. We're glad you enjoyed the Locaboat experience. Best, Julien.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Twenty years after my first penichette…

Twenty years after my first penichette trip, still a great experience!

2 August 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your note. We are happy to have welcomed you back after so many years. Looking forward to your third cruise? Best, Julien.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Brazilians take Locaboat!


The experience was exceptional, from the initial email communication to the overall boat trip. The boat offered ample space and was equipped with all the essentials. We fell in love with Aigues-Mortes, a destination that perfectly blends relaxation, history, and the stunning pink salt flats. We went during high summer season, so an air conditioner in the boat can be a great improvement.

5 August 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your review and your compliments about our teams. Thank you for your suggestion about the air conditioning on board. Best, Julien.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Nightmare LocaBoat Rental

Our LocaBoat experience was an absolute disaster. From the start, we were misled about severe boating restrictions due to a closed lock, which dramatically curtailed our planned itinerary. To add insult to injury, the boat was in appalling condition. Mechanical failures plagued us from day one, including a non-functioning horn (a serious safety hazard), a clogged engine, a broken water pump, and malfunctioning toilets. The boat was so old and poorly maintained that it leaked oil into the river.
To top it off, the boat's interior was neglected with a leaking overhead hatch and a soaked galley cushion. This was supposed to be a relaxing vacation, but instead, we spent most of our time troubleshooting problems and dealing with LocaBoat's incompetence. We are experienced boaters and have never encountered such a poorly maintained and unreliable vessel. LocaBoat should be ashamed to rent out such a substandard boat. Avoid at all costs!

21 July 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you very much for your feedback. It is indeed not normal to have a boat in the condition you describe. Our technicians work hard all year round to maintain our boats and offer you a unique experience. Locaboat is renowned for the quality of its fleet. Our claims department is already dealing with your case, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Once again, we're sorry for the vacation you've had, and we hope to have another chance to give you the experience aboard our license-free Pénichettes. Best, Julien.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Locaboat Holiday.This is a long-established company with…

This is a long-established company with a world-wide reputation. Their service is prompt and any questions are answered courteously and efficiently.
The vessels are appropriately designed and configured, are well maintained and are easy to drive. Within, the vessels are clean, comfortable and well-supplied.
In all, this contributes to a relaxing and enjoyable holiday.

22 July 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your review and your compliments on our boats. We are delighted to have welcomed you aboard our Pénichettes. Best, Julien.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Dompierre was awesome, Lattes was good.

Our 1st 4-day trip from Dompierre was fantastic and the LocaBoat crew was the best. Super sweet folks and endlessly helpful. Our 2nd trip from Lattes was good but I didn't know beforehand that the boats can not cruise on the Mediterranean which was a major part of our plan. We couldn't swim from the boat in the canals. But, overall, both trips were great and we'd do it again.

16 July 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your review and feedback. We are delighted to hear that you have enjoyed your other cruises with Locaboat. Our Pénichettes are not approved for sea cruising, like many river boats only. We do not indicate in any document that it is possible to do so. We look forward to welcoming you back for another trip, so don't hesitate to contact our travel experts to help you plan your next trip. Best, Julien.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Perfect way to enjoy a nice holiday

Perfect way to enjoy a nice holiday

22 July 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your feedback. It was a pleasure to welcome you on our licence-free houseboats. Best, Julien.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

helpful staff in booking etc.

helpful staff in booking etc.
one down point was the fenders was not checked on departure then we find one deflated at end of our tripp
and we had no recollection of causing it leaving us with a bill we were quite careful with the boat

22 July 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your feedback. Concerning the deflated fender, we will investigate further with our base. We'll get back to you if this billing was indeed an honest mistake on our part. Best regards, Julien.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Water tank out of order

Nice environment, well organized check in, good availability in case of problema.
What Is not acceptable Is to know at check in time, that 3/4 of the water tanks were not available. We had Just 100 liters out of 400 available. This Is a full game change for an holiday of this kind. We complained about this at check in and at checkout with almost no reaction nor compansation.
This was disappointing

14 June 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you for your review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your cruise and the organization on site. Concerning the water tank, was it defective or simply not filled yet? We recommend that you spend the first night at the departure base, which allows you to fill up with water free of charge and to be connected to 220 volts. Could you please send us more details by e-mail to info@locaboat.com? Best, Julien.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Our 3rd time with Locaboat

Our 3rd time with Locaboat. First was Dompierre to Briare and loved the whole trip. Second Mâcon to Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune. Both had plenty of villages to visit along the way. We missed that part of this trip. But as always love time on the boat, exploring Nancy and Saverne. We particularly loved Lutzelbourg where local hospitality businesses were amazingly helpful. One man drove us to Phalsbourg to shop.

15 July 2024
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Reply from Riverly

Hello, thank you very much for your review and your loyalty. We are delighted to have welcomed you for the third time on our licence-free Pénichettes.

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