Group cruise

Clubs, associations, works councils, coach operators, large families: the boat Le Battant welcomes groups of 20 to 100 people, all year round, seven days a week. A group cruise on the Doubs is an outing that works for every age: no walking, no complicated logistics, and a setting few destinations can match, the loop of the Doubs at the foot of the Vauban Citadel.

A group outing that works in every season

Unlike most open-air activities, the cruise does not depend on summer weather: the cabin of Le Battant is heated and air-conditioned, and the sound system carries the commentary to every seat. On fine days, the rooftop panoramic terrace is a favourite with the group’s photographers. The route is the house classic: the loop of the Doubs, the Saint-Paul and Tarragnoz locks, and the 375 metre river tunnel under the Citadel, animated by light displays. The commentary is in French, which is worth knowing when planning for international groups; the scenery, locks and tunnel, however, work in any language.

From a simple cruise to a full meal on board

Depending on your programme and budget, the outing can take several forms. The guided cruise on its own is an activity of about an hour and a quarter, easy to slot into a day trip. To go further, meals are served on board: a breakfast cruise, or a lunch or dinner with a choice of menus from Régional to Prestige, plus a dedicated children’s menu. Options let you mark the occasion: a cheese plate, sparkling water, or champagne for celebrations. Note that a lock fee of 40 € per group applies to lunch and dinner cruises, and the boat can also be hired dockside, at 250 € per hour, for a reception without sailing.

How to organise your group visit to Besançon

One call to +33 6 64 48 66 80 or an online enquiry is enough: you receive a quote within 48 hours, tailored to your group size, date and chosen formula. The pier at Pont de la République is in the heart of Besançon, next to the République tram stop, which makes drop-off simple. To fill a whole day, the day trip packages combine the cruise with the Citadel, the Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans and other regional sites.