When examining your options for a vacation in France, a boating holiday might not be the first idea to spring to mind. Nevertheless, France has much to offer those visitors seeking something a little out of the ordinary.

The French countryside is spectacularly beautiful. A boating holiday along one of the country's many canals provides the perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of rural France whilst still allowing you to enjoy a relaxed sailing holiday. The Breton canals are some of the finest in France. Breton's river network consists of some 600km of navigable waterways. Holidaymakers can take two principal routes.

The English Channel-Ocean link
This runs by the towns of Rennes, Dinan and Roche. If you choose to take this route then you will have the opportunity to cruise along the Ille-et-Rance Canal which connects the English Channel to the Atlantic Ocean. It is possible to moor your boat along the canal bank and visit the many towns and villages in the area.

The Nantes-Brest canal
As the name suggests, this canal links the towns of Nantes and Brest. It was constructed during the 19th century and covers over 360km.

French tourist operators encourage visitors to explore the country's waterways. Companies often organize leisure activities under the "From one bank to the other" scheme. A range of activities are provided which include nautical activities, tours and games for children.

Elsewhere, the Canal du Centre follows a scenic route through the French countryside. No visit to the Bourgogne is complete without a trip along its principal waterway. The Bourgogne Canal has recently undergone major renovation and is now enjoyable (and relatively easy) to cruise.

Passionate sailors will undoubtedly want to explore the rugged coastline of Northwest Brittany. The port of Camaret-sur-mer is an excellent starting-point as it is largely sheltered from the Atlantic winds. There are a number of charming ports located approximately a day's sail away from Camaret. Despite their small size, these fishing villages possess great charm and, from a practical perspective, are a great place to moor your boat if you need to stock up on supplies. However, unless you are an experienced yachtsman, then it is unadvisable to explore the area by yourself as currents and tides are often unpredictable.

For further information on sailing in the Brittany region, visit www.brittanysail.co.uk.