see also: New Piper Barges |Houseboat Barges | Hotel Barges |
Barges for sale
Private cruising barges for sale in France and elsewhere in Europe
‘Dutch’ barges are steel vessels originally designed and constructed for carrying freight. Many were built in Holland to travel around the inland canals, lakes and rivers there and elsewhere in Europe, including France. For our purposes they are between 14m (46′) and 30m (98′) long, 3m (9′) to 5m (15′) wide and generally less than 1m deep in the water. Historically, barges in France were constructed to fit into ‘Freycinet’ size locks and could be up to 38m long, but there are practical boat handling and regulatory reasons why most private barges for sale are less than 30m long.
Traditional barge-building ceased in the 1920s and many smaller (less than 30m) barges have been converted for private living aboard. There is now a thriving market for recently built liveaboard cruising barges, styled in the traditional manner (such as ‘Avocette’ above) and a number of builders in England and Holland.
Pre-Owned Barges
Pre-Owned Barges for Sale
1927 Dutch Barge Steilsteven for sale £119,995
Region: UK and Ireland Location: River Hamble, GBLive aboard barge for sale on the Hamble River in Hampshire. Boatshed Hamble is happy to offer this well maintained barge, built in Holland in 1927 with a major refit…
1929 Dutch Barge 24m for sale £144,950
Region: UK and Ireland Location: London, GBThis very smart Dutch barge has been extensively modernised over the years and now offers a high level of luxury accommodation. Boasting two cabins, both with ensuite bathrooms, they are…
1931 Classic Dutch Barge 63ft for sale £129,950
Region: UK and Ireland Location: Herts, GBBeautiful and incredibly well loved Dutch Barge. Ideal as a comfortable liveaboard. Very traditional in its build with lots of added extras. This boat has books and books of history…
1930 Dutch Barge 20m with London for sale £175,000
Region: UK and Ireland Location: London, GBBoatshed London are delighted to offer this 20m Dutch Barge for sale with London mooring. Currently moored outside Chelsea Harbour she is due to be moved inside the marina. Totally…
1913 Tjalk Dutch Barge 21m for sale 109,000€
Region: France - Central/Burgundy Location: Toulouse, FRBoatshed Midi Canals is pleased to present this 21-meter Dutch Tjalk barge for sale. This Tjalk barge offers year-round habitation with a bright and comfortable living space. It comes equipped…
1906 Dutch Barge Tjalk for sale 99,000€
Region: France - Central/Burgundy Location: Canal du Midi, FRTjalk for sale. Boatshed Midi Canals is pleased to offer this remarkable residential Dutch barge for sale. This boat has enjoyed a complete rebuild over a five year period starting…
1923 Dutch Barge 17m for sale £62,000
Region: UK and Ireland Location: London , GBThis lovely barge has a beautiful mooring which can be appreciated from the very large wheelhouse, giving panoramic views across the river. Descending the companionway to the galley area and…
2003 Narrowboat 41ft Semi Trad for sale £28,950
Region: UK and Ireland Location: Furness Vale , GBThe boat has just been surveyed 21st October 2025 and has also just been blacked at the same time. This 2003 semi trad narrowboat was built by Caulden Boatbuilders and…
1915 Dutch Barge Klipper for sale £170,000
Region: UK and Ireland Location: Kent, GBA rare opportunity to own a piece of maritime history – reimagined for exceptional waterside living. Step aboard this exceptional 1915, 35-metre Dutch Klipper, beautifully converted into a spacious five…
SOLD!
SOLD - 2003 Motor Cruiser Euro Classic 85,000€
Region: France - Central/Burgundy Location: Canal du Midi, FREUROCLASSIC 139 for sale on the Midi Canal. Boatshed Midicanals is pleased to offer this Live aboard Euroclassic 139 for sale, built in 2003 to the specification of our vendor.…
1920 Dutch Barge 13m for sale £69,950
Region: UK and Ireland Location: London, GBA great opportunity to purchase a well cared for barge in the ever-popular South Dock Marina. The barge offers comfortable accommodation within a fairly modest waterline length, keeping mooring fees…
1926 Dutch Barge Luxe Motor for sale 95,000€
Region: France - Central/Burgundy Location: South burgundy, FRLive aboard luxemotor for sale in France. Boatshed Bourgogne is please to offer this residential Dutch barge for sale. A Luxmotor from 1926 and looking very pretty indeed. This barge…
1910 Dutch Barge 21m for sale £80,000
Region: UK and Ireland Location: Port Medway Marina, Rochester, GBPLEASE NOTE PHOTOS ARE FROM 2022 THE BOAT HAS SAT UNATTENDED FOR SOME YEARS AND NOW REQUIRES A COMPLETE REFIT OFFERS ARE BEING CONSIDERED Originally built in 1910 and offered…
1922 Dutch Barge 54 for sale £137,500
Region: UK and Ireland Location: London, GBBoatshed London are delighted to offer this 54ft Westlander Dutch Barge houseboat with London mooring for sale. Originally built in 1922 and converted in the mid 1970’s into a beautiful…
SOLD!
SOLD - 1958 Belgium Spitz Dutch Barge £249,995
Region: UK and Ireland Location: Essex, GBA rare opportunity to purchase a luxury liveaboard Dutch Barge that has been carefully developed and meticulously maintained inside and out. Offering both ample living space and accommodation, and thoughtfully…
1986 Dutch Barge 35 for sale £49,500
Region: UK and Ireland Location: London, GBRecently refurbished, this charming barge makes the perfect pied-a-terre. With a secure mooring in Chelsea Harbour and excellent onshore facilities, the boat is ideal for someone needing to stay in…
1908 Dutch Barge 85ft for sale £160,000
Region: UK and Ireland Location: London , GBThis fantastic Dutch barge currently occupies a highly desirable mooring very close to Canary Wharf. The vessel offers very comfortable living accommodation, with two good-sized double cabins, large bathroom and…
2006 Bluewater Boats Luxemotor r for sale 199,000€
Region: France - Central/Burgundy Location: South Burgundy, FRResidential barge for sale in Burgundy. Boatshed Bourgogne is pleased to offer this Bluewater 70ft Luxemotor replica barge for sale. It was a real pleasure to discover this nicely looked…
New Barges
New-build Piper Barges
The appeal and popularity of converted Dutch barges as cruising homes has naturally led to the development of new-build steel cruising barges (such as the well-established Piper range), specifically designed to suit live-aboard lifestyles, with commensurate services and facilities.
Useful Information
The Dutch Barge Association (DBA) founded in 1992 is the premier European organisation representing barge owners, and those interested in barging. The DBA is an unrivalled source of barge-related information and advice, including regulatory, legislative and insurance. Members pass on and freely exchange the fruits of personal experience cruising canals and rivers.
The DBA online Members Knowledge Base covers such topics as
Buying a barge | Insurance | Training | Safety | Waterways | Suppliers | Regulations | Cruising | Living Aboard | Mechanical, Electrical, Internal and External Installations
DBA: | Membership information | Bookshop |
see also: | Barge handling competence | Barge equipment |
VAT and Barges
Following DBA Members Colin and Ali Stone’s successful Tribunal and High Court action HMRC has issued a revised Business Brief 38/09. This confirms that Dutch barges and similar vessels that are designed and supplied for use as the permanent residence of the customer are qualifying ships and may be eligible for zero-rating.
Navigating the Waterways
Our sister website French Waterways features all the printed maps and guides necessary to cruise, plus detailed km by km information for every navigable river and canal in France each of which is available to download as a PDF.
