Lifestyle - a nice quiet spot or.........
One of the great things about the French waterways is the contrast, with very little commercial traffic cruising is a tranquil experience, you can moor up just about anywhere, as long as you don't cause an obstruction, and stay for as long as you like, even if there are no bollards the use of ground stakes is acceptable and secure, in fact some the best places to stop are in the middle of rural France, the peace and quiet has to be experienced to be understood.
Some things about France take a little getting used to - 2 hour lunches, unexplained closures and 'manyana' indicates a sense of urgency, but once France starts to creep under your skin the warm, friendly open people make everything seem normal and life elsewhere seems frenetic.
In Belgium and Holland the waterways have more commercial traffic but this causes few problems as the canals are much wider and all locks and bridges are manned. There are many beautiful places to visit and no language barriers as English is a second language almost everywhere.
Some things about France take a little getting used to - 2 hour lunches, unexplained closures and 'manyana' indicates a sense of urgency, but once France starts to creep under your skin the warm, friendly open people make everything seem normal and life elsewhere seems frenetic.
In Belgium and Holland the waterways have more commercial traffic but this causes few problems as the canals are much wider and all locks and bridges are manned. There are many beautiful places to visit and no language barriers as English is a second language almost everywhere.