School group cruise
De la maternelle au lycée, une lecture vivante de la ville et de son fleuve.
- 9 € par élève, 12 € par accompagnant
- Une gratuité adulte pour 5 élèves en maternelle
- Une gratuité adulte pour 10 élèves en primaire et collège
- Départs le matin ou l'après-midi
How does a lock work? Why did Vauban fortify Besançon? What does a river carry? A school cruise on the Doubs answers all these questions in 1 hour 15 minutes, with the city itself as the classroom. Aboard Le Battant, pupils from nursery to secondary school discover Besançon’s heritage from a completely different angle: the water.
A school outing that is both fun and educational
The route follows the loop of the Doubs and packs concrete, memorable observations into an hour and a quarter. Passing through the Saint-Paul and Tarragnoz locks shows pupils in real time what textbooks explain with diagrams: the boat enters, the water rises or falls, the gates open. The crossing of the 375 metre river tunnel dug beneath the Vauban Citadel, animated by light displays, leaves a lasting impression, while the commentary links what pupils see to the city’s history: the UNESCO listed Vauban fortifications, the Battant district and life on the river. The commentary is delivered in French, which makes the cruise a natural fit for French language school trips. The boat is heated, the indoor cabin shelters the whole class if it rains, and the sound system lets every pupil follow the explanations.
School pricing and free places for accompanying adults
The school rate is 9 € per pupil and 12 € per accompanying adult, with free places matched to real supervision needs: one free adult per 5 pupils for nursery classes, one free adult per 10 pupils from primary to secondary level. Outings run from 20 participants, with morning or afternoon departures to fit school timetables and coach schedules.
How to organise your school trip to Besançon
Boarding takes place at the Pont de la République pier, on the tramway side, in the city centre. For schools coming from further away, the partner coach operator BGVOYAGES, based in Saint-Vit, can handle the journey: one point of contact for both transport and cruise. To set a date, a time slot and a group size, call +33 6 64 48 66 80: the family crew of Le Battant has decades of experience on the Doubs and is used to welcoming school groups of every age.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school cruise in Besançon cost?
The school rate is 9 € per pupil and 12 € per accompanying adult. Free places are provided for supervisors: one free adult per 5 pupils for nursery classes, one free adult per 10 pupils from primary to secondary school.
What is the minimum group size for a school cruise?
School cruises run from 20 participants. The boat holds up to 100 people, so several classes can travel together.
What time do school cruises depart?
Departures are offered in the morning or the afternoon, to fit school timetables and coach travel times.
What do pupils see during the cruise on the Doubs?
The 1 hour 15 minute route includes two locks, Saint-Paul and Tarragnoz, and the 375 metre river tunnel under the Vauban Citadel, animated by light displays. The commentary connects these sights to the history of Besançon and its Vauban heritage.
Can nursery school classes take part?
Yes, nursery classes are welcome. One accompanying adult travels free per 5 nursery pupils, compared with one per 10 pupils at primary and secondary level.
Does the school outing go ahead in bad weather?
The boat's indoor cabin is heated and shelters the whole class, so the cruise remains enjoyable even on grey days. If in doubt on the day, call +33 6 64 48 66 80.
How can we arrange coach transport to the pier?
The partner coach operator BGVOYAGES, based in Saint-Vit, can transport classes to Besançon, letting you coordinate transport and cruise through a single arrangement.
Where do school groups board the boat?
Boarding is at the Pont de la République pier, on the tramway side, in central Besançon, right next to the République tram stop.
How long does the school cruise last?
The cruise lasts 1 hour 15 minutes, a format well suited to pupils' attention spans. Allow about an hour and a half on site including boarding and disembarking.
Is the school cruise commentary available in English?
The live commentary is in French. Written translations in English, German, Italian and Spanish are available on board, just ask when boarding.
How do we book a cruise for a school?
Call the team on +33 6 64 48 66 80 with your preferred date, the pupils' age group and the number of participants. You will receive a proposal tailored to your school project.
You may also like
Private charter
Mariage, anniversaire, séminaire ou soirée d'entreprise : le bateau pour vous seuls.
Full-day package
Croisière, repas et visite, la journée clé en main dès 20 personnes.