‘Our €8,000 barge in France gives us an off-grid retirement’ A British couple talk through their DIY conversion of an old working boat into a cosy floating home on the Canal du Midi
What are the visa rules for boat owners visiting France? Non-EU nationals visiting France for more than 90 days will need to apply for a visa
Our life aboard a barge near Bordeaux Yann and Ombline Romanson transformed a 1930s péniche into a family home and thriving business on the Garonne river
practical Make sense of… boating in France Summer is almost upon us and many people will be taking to the water once more. We recap what paperwork you might need to get afloat
‘Mediaeval’ French boat to sail from Brittany to Scotland The replica of a tenth-century boat is made of wood and cowhide, and the crew will forego modern luxuries during the voyage
French firm’s solar panel sails let yachts produce their own power The OPV panels, different to more common silicon-based ones, can potentially be used on the canvas of tents, awnings and airships too
Parts of French canals closed to boats due to low water level Rivers remain largely navigable because of damming techniques, but the water level is low
The ‘moving rock’ off coast of Marseille is actually a boat ‘I wanted to celebrate the Calanques, make something fun while adding to the natural scenery,’ artist Julien Berthier told The Connexion.
Confusion over French adventurer death: Portugal denies finding body The team of Jean-Jacques Savin, 75, said his body had been found with his capsized ‘canoe’ but now this is disputed
French adventurer dies age 75 during Atlantic solo rowing attempt Jean-Jacques Savin was found after his team lost communication with him on Friday morning. The exact circumstances of his death have not yet been determined
Boats grounded after Brittany port sea door left open emptying water The quick action of a young couple who live on a boat in the port saved the incident from being worse
Channel migrant drownings: legal action launched in France Humanitarian organisation lodges complaint for ‘involuntary homicide’ claiming French and British services failed to respond to distress calls when a boat sank resulting in 27 deaths
UK inquest says submarine not cause of 2004 sinking of French boat Five French fishermen lost their lives when their boat, the Bugaled Breizh, suddenly sank off the coast of Cornwall. Speculation that a military submarine was involved has now been ruled out by a British court
Final report of UK inquest into sinking of French fishing boat delayed The Bugaled Breizh went down in 2004. An inquest is now seeking to find out if it sank due to a fishing accident or the accidental involvement of a military submarine
Marseille mayor welcomes Banksy rescue boat refugees The MV Louise Michele ship was carrying over 250 refugees rescued from the Mediterranean Sea, and had been refused the right to dock in other European countries. The deputy mayor of Marseille has said the city will open its doors to those who were on board.
Prestigious French sail race Route du Rhum to begin This Sunday sees the start of French transatlantic sailing race the Route du Rhum, with one boat to be skippered by experienced sailor and fundraiser Samantha Davies - a Briton who now lives in Brittany.
French ports 'ready to welcome migrant rescue ship' The port of Sète in Hérault and Corsica both say they are ready to welcome the ship Aquarius, which is carrying 141 Africans rescued from the Mediterranean – however this would depend on the French government’s go-ahead.
Cost-efficient way to be connected on a boat? We live on a boat on the Canal du Midi for several months each year. What is the most cost-efficient way to get an internet service for use while on the boat? I can get unlimited wifi hotspot from my US mobile carrier but it is very expensive.
12-year-old French boy breaks Channel sailing record A 12-year-old boy from Brittany has set a new world record to become the youngest person to cross the English Channel in a small children’s dinghy.
French navy ship festival celebrates 30 historic years The French navy ship the Maillé-Brézé is celebrating 30 years of being moored up at the Fosse port of Nantes (Pays de la Loire), with a festival in its honour taking place this weekend.
Historic barge that once housed Paris's homeless sinks Owners hope vessel that was fitted out by Le Corbusier in 1929 can be refloated
Sailor Gabart invests in ‘borrow my boat’ start-up The record-breaking French sailor, François Gabart, who recently completed the fastest solo circumnavigation of the world, has invested in a new boat-hiring startup.
‘Even solo sailing is a team event these days’ French sailor Thomas Coville smashed the record for sailing single-handed across the North Atlantic in July, making the crossing in just four days, 11 hours and 10 minutes.
French sailor departs on solo world record attempt The international sailor from Charentes, François Gabart, has this weekend set off on a solo circumnavigation of the world, which he hopes will take him under 49 days and 3 hours.
Is there compensation for delayed ferries? Air tickets are reimbursed under certain conditions in the case of delays but is this also true for ferries? If so, do we contact the ferry operator directly? R.S.
Land-locked liner becomes museum Lying on the Grand Plage at Port-Barcarès for the past 50 years, the former cruise liner Lydia, one of the oldest in the world, is being steered away from its former life as a tourist attraction plus disco, casino and restaurant to be made into a museum.
Historic QM2 race marks 100 years since US landing The iconic Queen Mary 2 is racing across the Atlantic - competing against four trimarans - in a special event to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the US landings in France
Can we prove residence if we live on a boat? We moved our boat here from the UK but have no French address except for the marina. We do not want to get into trouble but seem to hit a brick wall when trying to gain legitimacy for residence. Do you have any advice? P.E.
