Houseboating for foodies: rivers, freedom & gastronomic temptations

Do you enjoy exploring restaurants or cafés and discovering new flavours during your travels? Try exploring them on a houseboat. We promise places where you'll enjoy beautiful nature and the captivating atmosphere of cities, spiced with the perfect mix of flavours and aromas.

Are you the type of person who, on every holiday or trip, makes a beeline to a café or restaurant? Combine this hobby with a cruise on the water! Stylish cafés, fresh bistros and local specialties in trendy restaurants can all be discovered in an unconventional way, from the deck of a houseboat. This way, your "hotel" will never be far away and we promise it will be a unique experience. We've put together a few tips on where you'll most enjoy your stay.

Route 1: Lyon and its surroundings

The Saone River in Lyon evening, France

The Saone River in Lyon

The capital of France Paris is of course, but if we had to name the capital of French cuisine, it would be Lyon. You can get here by houseboat, if you sail the Saône River, one of the most beautiful rivers in France, having only a few floodgates. You can head here from Mâcon, for example, a port that has been renovated relatively recently, or, if you are planning a longer trip, from St-Léger-sur-Dheune or Dôle. 


Lyon, whose historic centre is protected by UNESCO, charms visitors with its Renaissance facades and traboules, narrow passages between houses. When it comes to gastronomy, however, we must mention a few names. The first is Les Halles Paul Bocuse, the covered market that is the temple of all foodies. It is located in the Part-Dieu district, about half an hour's walk from the centre. It is named after Lyon's most famous chef, Paul Bocuse, whose restaurant in Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or near Lyon maintained its three Michelin stars continuously from 1965 until 2018, when he died. In Les Halles, you can shop at more than 50 Lyon butchers, cheese makers, bakers, winemakers...

Biscuits and sweets at the market in Lyon

Biscuits and sweets at the market in Lyon

Lyon's best gourmet experiences

There are other great gastronomic experiences in Lyon: try the bakery La Boulangerie du Palais, the macarons and sweets at Maison Bouillet or the famous cheeses from Fromager de Saint Georges. Lyon's restaurants, known as bouchon, offer traditional dishes of high quality (such as the bouchon Le Garet at 7 rue du Garet), but you'll also find up-and-coming establishments of the next generation of chefs, presenting fusions of all the world's cuisines. Try Le Kitchen Café.

Route 2: To the heart of the Bresse region

Exterior of the Royal Monastery of Brou in Bourg-en-Bresse, Ain, France

Exterior of the Royal Monastery of Brou in Bourg-en-Bresse, Ain

If you sail the Saône from Mâcon and head northeast towards Louhans, you will find yourself in the heart of the Bresse region, which is renowned for its gastronomy (it also boasts the title site remarquable du goût). This is a flat region on the border between the departments of Ain, Saone-et-Loire and Jura, where livestock farming thrives.

Taste the Besse chickens

The Bresse Bleu cheese is famous, but it is the Bresse chickens that have become one of the symbols of French cuisine. Raised under strict conditions, their meat is tender and succulent, rich in flavour. No wonder they are among the most expensive in the world. They taste great baked, but many famous chefs prepare them according to their own special recipes.

Chicken or chicken breast Bresse poulard in Sauternes sauce with beans and wild rice

Chicken Bresse in Sauternes sauce with beans and wild rice

More articles about ideal destinations for houseboat lovers:

The famous Louhans market is not to be missed by any food lover

In Louhans itself, a lively, charming town with a historic centre, don't miss the local market -  always held on Mondays, it is considered to be one of the best in Europe. There's also a Michelin-starred restaurant here, the Auberge de l'Europe — where you can have (surprisingly) creamed Bresse chicken with mushrooms, or boeuf bourgignon or freshwater fish. You'll be delighted just to walk around Louhans, known as the city of arcades: 157 of them await visitors in the centre.

Route 3: Wine tour of Burgundy

Beautiful view of the historic town of Auxerre with the river Yonne, Yonne region, Burgundy, France

View of the historic town of Auxerre with the river Yonne, Burgundy

We will stay on the Saône River, as it is a region promising not only excellent gastronomy but also wines of the highest quality. If you choose the port of St. Léger-sur-Dheune as your starting point, you can sail to Santenay, located on the southern tip of the Côte de Beaune (since 1937 there has been a separate Santenay AOC appellation, usually attached to Pinot Noir or Chardonnay). The next stop on this itinerary is Chagny, a great place to do some good shopping in the large market, and a local Michelin restaurant, Lameloise.

Where do the best vines from Burgundy grow?

From Chagny you can head to Chalon-sur- Saone, the largest town in the region, which will enchant you with its monuments and artistic spirit. But most importantly, the canal will lead you south-eastward between the famous vineyards of the Côte Châlonnaise. It is here in the valleys of Dheune, Mercurey, Santenay and Rully that some of the best vines of Burgundy grow. Culture-enjoyers will also appreciate the 13th century church of St-Jean-de-Narosse overlooking the vineyards in Santenay, as well as the 12th century castle in Rully. You can sail from village to village, tasting one great wine after another.

View of the vineyards in southern Burgundy with a stone building

Vineyards in southern Burgundy

YACHTING.COM TIP: In the article Houseboating for wine lovers, we have a few suggestions for you.

Route 4: Amsterdam may surprise you

Historic houses in the centre of Amsterdam

It is said that if you ask a Dutchman where to eat, he will send you to the nearest Indonesian restaurant. That doesn't sound like the best invitation for discerning food lovers - but if you primarily associate a houseboat cruise with Amsterdam's canals, trust that your stomach won't be disappointed here either. Having doubts? Think of the rich flavours of Dutch cheese...


What's more, Amsterdam is a cosmopolitan city where cuisines from all over the world mingle. Here you can taste Indonesian or Middle Eastern delicacies, as well as all kinds of fusions of European cuisines.

A serving of the popular Dutch street snack kibbeling, which consists of fried cod and sauce.

Taste the fish in the Netherlands

If you want something typical, the Dutch love fish. "Higher fishing" is offered by the restaurant John Dorry, which talks about fishstronomy in connection with its philosophy. Its specialities can be tasted in multi-course menus. If you're tempted to see how ordinary Dutch people eat, buy kibbeling with ravigotte, cod fried in batter with cream sauce, anywhere in the market. The more adventurous can also try herring, served raw, with cucumber and onion.


In terms of cheese, there is a Cheese Museum in Amsterdam, but admittedly it is more of a shop with a small exhibition in the basement than a museum in the classic sense. So make your way to one of the famous shops, such as De Kaaskamer Cheese Shop or Kef's Webshop, for both aged Dutch and organic cheeses.

Porters with lots of cheese at the famous Dutch cheese market in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, at Waagplein Square.

The famous Dutch cheese market at Waagplein Square in Alkmaar, the Netherlands

But you can also find excellent cheeses in many other places. It is possible to shop well at markets such as the Biologische Noordermarkt, which has been offering produce from organic farmers every Saturday since the late 1980s. Marqt - Farmers Market in Amsterdam or Nieuwmarkt Market are also good markets.

Amsterdam's main food court is called Foodhallen, located near the Kinkerstraat. Here you will find over 20 stalls, among which there are no big chains, all are either pop-up restaurants or small branches of local restaurants.

There is also no shortage of beer, but instead of big famous brands, reach for the small local ones like Brouwerij 't IJ, this time .

YACHTING.COM TIP: The Netherlands is a houseboat rental paradise, all you need is to be of age and, even without a skipper's license, you'll gain access to more than 5,000 navigable kilometres. You can choose routes suitable for complete beginners, but there are also areas recommended only to more experienced pilots. All this in a picturesque landscape full of lakes, windmills, historic towns and tulips. For tips on where to dock, check out our article: Houseboats: the 10 best places to see in the Netherlands.

Itinerary 5: Venice and the Veneto region, the best of Venetian cuisine

Delicious ice cream in beautiful Venezia, Italy, in front of a water canal and historic buildings

Venice enchants everyone with its unique beauty, combining ubiquitous references to a rich past, nostalgia and romance. Along with the entire Veneto region, however, it is also the place to go if you want to enjoy not only the beautiful views and attractions, but also Italian cuisine, whilst on your cruise. Moreover, the cuisine of the Veneto region is one of the most varied in Italy and relies on the use of the most local ingredients.

 Caffè Florian, founded in Venice in 1720. It is the oldest café in the world, located in St. Mark's Square.

Caffé Florian founded in Venice in 1720. It is the oldest café in the world, located in St. Mark's Square.

Do you know where the most famous Grana Padano cheese is made?

Vegetables are just as important as meat in the local cuisine, and it is interesting to note that it is in the Veneto region that many of Italy's most famous cheeses are made (not in the Venetian lagoon, of course, but in other areas): Grana Padano. Asiago (in the northern mountain areas of Veneto), but also Schiz, Casatella Trevigiana, Montasio, Monte Veronese, Piave and Provolone Valpadana


So if you're going to explore the Venetian lagoon on a houseboat, you've got something special to look forward to — culinary-wise. Traditional Venetian cuisine is rich in carbohydrates — but rather than pasta, it's all about polenta (served as a side dish) and risotto. This is the hallmark of Venetian cuisine and is often eaten as a first course. For its preparation, rice from Lombardy or Piedmont is used, or its own famous rice, Vialone Nano Veronese.

YACHTING.COM TIP: The romantic Venice and the peaceful atmosphere of the region — that's what awaits you when you set off to the Venetian Lagoon on a houseboat. Find out where to sail from and what you shouldn't miss in our article Explore the Venetian Lagoon in Italy by houseboat: amazing sights and serene nature. However, a simple rule applies: if you crave romance and culture, head to Venice; if nature, tranquillity or wine beckons, choose the Friuli region.

What is bigoli?

Of course, pasta lovers won't miss out either. Pasta is commonly prepared here, and if you are interested in local specialty, try the thick spaghetti known as bigoli, usually made from whole wheat and eggs, sometimes buckwheat. Seafood is plentiful near the lagoon, so you'll typically find crab, clams, mussels, sardines and anchovies on the menu.

Wooden table with Bigoli pasta and Amarone sauce (a typical Italian dish), red wine and bread.

Pasta Bigoli and Amarone sauce

When you go for a walk right through Venice, have cicchetti. Small plates of tapas-style food served in traditional bars (bàcari). These include various crostini, small meat or fish balls or fresh fish prepared in a variety of ways. A famous cicchetti is Sarde in Saor, a simple dish, consisting of fresh sardines fried in oil and flavoured with raisins, pine nuts and white wine vinegar. A perfect combination of contrasting flavours! Another favourite is salt cod smashed with olive oil, served on a piece of polenta. 


The sweet counterpart of cichetti are fritole, small pastries of all shapes, sizes and flavours that you can find in bakeries around town.

Italian one-dish meals called cicchetti

Italian one-dish meals called cicchetti

In its cuisine, Venice also alludes to its past, namely its brisk trade with the Middle East: as shown by the Venetian duck ragout, which combines the flavours of duck, strong red wine, bay leaves and cinnamon. It goes well with the previously mentioned, local pasta, bigoli! 


It's hard to pick just a few restaurants to eat at in Venice. But if you want to experience something special, try Caffé Florian in St. Mark's Square. Founded in 1720, it is the oldest café in Italy (and one of the oldest in the world) to operate without interruption. A coffee or a scoop of gelato here isn't cheap (20–25 Euros), but it is an exceptional cultural experience.

We have houseboats waiting for you all over Europe. So which region will you go to? Let us know.