What Au Fil de l'Eau does

Au Fil de l'Eau is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in 1982 and headquartered in Choisy-le-Roi, Île-de-France, operating three integrated activities on the Seine and Marne rivers: river navigation and passenger cruises, environmental preservation (waste collection, riverbank maintenance, biodiversity projects), and professional integration workshops (Chantiers d'Insertion) for people distant from employment. The organization runs a diversified fleet comprising 10 self-designed low-wake Catalantes aluminum catamarans (12 passengers each), Le Francilien (50-passenger vessel), La Walde barge venue (capacity 100), L'Ancistrus waste collection boat with hydraulic aspiration and oil retention, and the newly electrified Le Catalogue river ferry. It serves multiple customer segments — general public via ticketed cruises (€2.50–€8), 120+ school classes annually, 30+ solidarity groups per season, corporate clients for private charters and teambuilding, and local authorities contracting waste collection and riverbank services.

The association holds four French state agréments (Jeunesse et Éducation Populaire 2004, ESUS 2016, Association Éducative 2021, Association de protection de l'environnement 2023) that anchor access to public funding from the European Social Fund Plus, Région Île-de-France, Départements Val-de-Marne and Seine-Saint-Denis, AESN, VNF, municipalities, and corporate foundations (Indosuez, BNP Paribas, RATP, de France, du Patrimoine). Revenue mechanics combine public subsidies for insertion, ticketed cruise sales via Explore Paris and HelloAsso, quote-based private charters, tax-deductible donations (66% deductible for companies), and contracted environmental services. Distribution is multi-channel: direct navigation at fixed moorings, external ticketing platforms, B2B sales for events, and community-led acquisition through 1,300+ annual volunteer hours and monthly Matinales gatherings.

The operating geography is concentrated in Val-de-Marne and Seine-Saint-Denis with eight documented sites spanning Choisy-le-Roi, Rungis, Neuilly-Plaisance, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, Nogent-sur-Marne and Champigny-sur-Marne. The organization employs 124 staff including ~38 insertion participants, and reports key 2025 outputs of 6,000 students sensitized, 70% dynamic exit rate from ACI 94, 16 PMSMP placements, and 1,300 volunteer hours. Noted 2026 risk: administrative suspensions of commented cruises at Saint-Maur-des-Fossés and the Joinville-Nogent passeur signal regulatory or permitting pressure on certain service lines.

Name

Au Fil de l'Eau

Legal name

Association Au Fil de l'Eau

Website

https://aufildeleau.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Au Fil de l'Eau is a French non-profit association, founded in 1982 in Île-de-France, operating a specialized river fleet for passenger cruises, waste collection, and environmental services while running professional integration workshops for unemployed persons across Val-de-Marne and Seine-Saint-Denis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

River Navigation and Social Integration Services

NAICS

Water Transportation (483), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Passenger Ferry Operators (Interisland/Intercity) (TLAFALAA)

Keywords

• River navigation services
• Professional integration workshops
• River waste collection
• Educational river cruises
• Aquatic habitat preservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Choisy-le-Roi

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Navigation Services: Paid cruises and boat hire including catamaran excursions (2.5€-5€), commented cruises (5€-8€), and private event charters on Francilien and Walde. Ticket sales via external partners Explore Paris and HelloAsso.
2. Professional Integration Services: Government-funded insertion programs through two integration workshops (ACI) in Val-de-Marne and Seine-Saint-Denis. Revenue from public subsidies including DRIEETS, Conseil Départemental, FSE+, and European funds.
3. Membership and Donations: Individual memberships and charitable donations. Donations are 66% tax-deductible for companies.
4. Environmental Services: Waste collection, riverbank maintenance, and ecological engineering services contracted by local authorities and enterprises. Includes pollution mapping and environmental restoration projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Au Fil de l'Eau is a non-profit social enterprise operating a fleet of river boats (Catalantes catamarans, Le Francilien passenger vessel, La Walde barge, L'Ancistrus waste-collection boat, Le Catalogue electric ferry) to deliver paid cruises, free pedestrian ferry crossings (Passeurs de rives), private/corporate event charters, educational school programs, teambuilding, and aquatic environmental services (waste collection, riverbank maintenance, ecological restoration). It also runs two professional integration workshops (ACI 94 in Val-de-Marne and Passeurs de Marne in Seine-Saint-Denis) that train long-term unemployed persons in fluvial and environmental professions.

Product overview

Au Fil de l'Eau operates a multi-product service portfolio centered on sustainable river navigation and aquatic environment preservation in Île-de-France. The core offerings include a fleet of boats for passenger cruises (Les Catalantes catamarans, Le Francilien passenger boat), electric passeur de rives ferry services, and La Walde event barge. Complementing these are specialized vessels like L'Ancistrus for waste collection, and services including educational/teambuilding animations, riverbank maintenance, and professional integration workshops (Chantiers d'Insertion). The association runs two integration workshops that support unemployed persons through training in river sector professions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Les Catalantes — Catamaran cruise fleet Service of paid catamaran cruises operated from April to October on the Seine and Marne rivers, using a fleet of 10 aluminum flat-bottomed catamarans each accommodating up to 12 passengers, designed with low-wake hulls to limit riverbank erosion. Priced at €2.50–€5 per person, available weekends in July–August at Neuilly-Plaisance.
• Le Francilien — Passenger cruise and event charter Year-round passenger boat accommodating up to 50 people on the Seine and Marne including central Paris, featuring terrace, interior lounge, kitchenette, microphone, speakers, projector and screen. Available for educational cruises, private events and corporate functions; subject to ongoing 2026 navigation title renewal and hybrid energy transition study funded in part by Fondation Indosuez.
• La Walde — Barge event venue hire Freyssinet-type péniche permanently moored at Quai Voltaire in Choisy-le-Roi, licensed as a public reception establishment with two salons (19 and 81 persons), bar, kitchen equipment and accessibility deck. Hired for private events, corporate seminars, conferences, banquets and performances.
• Passeurs de rives — Free pedestrian ferry service Free ferry crossings of the Seine and Marne rivers at Choisy-le-Roi (electric Le Catalogue), Nogent-sur-Marne ↔ Champigny-sur-Marne, and previously Joinville-Nogent (suspended in 2026). Boats carry up to 12 passengers with departures every 10 minutes, piloted by professional-integration employees; funded by municipalities and partners including Ville de Choisy-le-Roi and Fondation Groupe RATP.
• Le Catalogue — Electric Passeur de rives ferry Electrically powered river ferry providing free pedestrian crossings of the Seine at Choisy-le-Roi, converted from a thermal engine to electric propulsion in 2026 to eliminate CO2 emissions and noise pollution. Commissioned by Ville de Choisy-le-Roi and supported by Grand Orly Seine Bièvre.
• Aquatic Waste Collection Service (using L'Ancistrus) Specialized floating-waste collection service using the L'Ancistrus vessel equipped with radar, hydraulic aspiration system, oil/hydrocarbon retention tank, winch and vegetation-cutting tools. Provides floating macro-waste collection, pollution mapping, hydrocarbon spill response, invasive-species removal and emergency deployments along Seine and Marne waterways. Acquires approximately 140kg of floating waste per campaign.
• Sensibilisation & Teambuilding animations Educational animations and team-building programs covering flood risks (in partnership with Episeine), biodiversity, aquatic pollution, climate change and water cycles. Available for school groups, leisure centers, corporate clients and the general public; team-building minimum half-day, maximum 50 participants, quote-based pricing.
• Riverbank Maintenance & Ecological Engineering Bank vegetation maintenance and development services using bioengineering techniques (fascines, anti-trampling combs, heliophyte planting) plus removal of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed. Includes wetland habitat creation, experimental vegetated-island construction and biodiversity restoration (e.g. Île-des-Loups project); produces on average 500 heliophyte plants and 160 linear meters of created riverbank per project cycle.
• Chantiers d'Insertion — Professional Integration Workshops Two professional integration workshops (ACI 94 in Val-de-Marne and Passeurs de Marne in Seine-Saint-Denis) supporting long-term unemployed individuals through training in boat piloting, passenger management, waste collection, riverbank maintenance and aquatic environment work. Funded by DRIEETS, Conseil Départemental, FSE+ and European funds; achieves a 70% dynamic exit rate and produced 38 salariés en insertion in 2023.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6000 students sensitized annually on environmental issues related to water
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Grand Orly Seine BièvrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTerritorial partner in 'Qui l'aurait Crue?' flood risk awareness cruise program. Co-funding partner for navigation services and electric ferry conversion. Key institutional supporter in eastern Paris metropolitan area.
• Agence de l'Eau Seine Normandie (AESN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater agency partner supporting river maintenance, waste collection, and environmental protection activities across Seine and Marne watersheds.
• CAF du Val-de-MarnemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily allowance fund subsidizing free educational cruises for families with children (ages 3-17) from Val-de-Marne to promote family leisure and environmental awareness.
• Voies Navigables de France (VNF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational waterways authority providing operational framework for river navigation. Original seller of La Walde barge (Freyssinet-type péniche) in 2002.
• Chantier EcolemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network supporting insertion through economic activity, providing framework and resources for the association's professional integration mission.
• France TravailcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic employment service supporting insertion program participants and providing framework for professional integration activities.
• Ville de Choisy-le-RoicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipality hosting headquarters and La Walde mooring. Funder of Passeur de rives service and partner in Festival de l'Oh! historical events.
• Ville de Neuilly-PlaisancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipality hosting catamaran cruise departure point on the Marne river for summer navigation season.
• Marne Vive Syndicat mixtemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMixed union managing Marne river, partner in Île-des-Loups biodiversity preservation project and waterway management initiatives.
• A Puissance 2majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining school boat operating in partnership with Le Francilien for maritime education and professional qualification activities.
• Fédération interdépartementale de Pêche et protection du milieu aquatiqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFishing federation partner in Île-des-Loups biodiversity preservation project supporting aquatic species protection.
• Paris Est Marne&BoismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTerritorial public establishment partner in biodiversity projects including Île-des-Loups ecological corridor initiative.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Halage: French non-profit association (Île-de-France) operating river-based professional insertion activities, environmental education, and waste collection on waterways. Most directly comparable peer: similar social-enterprise structure combining insertion chantiers with aquatic environmental missions in the Paris region.
• Marin d'eau douce: Operator of self-drive electric boats on Paris canals (Canal de l'Ourcq, Bassin de la Villette). Comparable for its electric-propulsion leisure boating offering in Île-de-France, targeting a similar family/tourist customer segment.

Broad incumbents

• Bateaux Parisiens: Major Seine cruise and dining boat operator (Sodexo group). Comparable as a broad-incumbent competitor for sightseeing and event cruise demand in Paris, though operating at significantly larger scale and lacking social/environmental mission.
• Vedettes de Paris: Established Seine sightseeing cruise operator in Paris with a much larger fleet and broader tourist catchment. Comparable as an incumbent competitor in the Seine sightseeing cruise category, though lacking the environmental and social inclusion mission.

Others

• Agence de l'Eau Seine-Normandie (AESN): French water agency funding river protection, water quality, and biodiversity initiatives across the Seine watershed. Comparable as a core institutional partner and funder for Au Fil de l'Eau's waste collection, riverbank maintenance, and ecological corridor activities.
• France Nature Environnement (FNE): France's largest federation of environmental protection associations. Comparable as a peer environmental NGO with similar'agrément de protection de l'environnement' status, providing advocacy, funding channels, and partnership potential for Au Fil de l'Eau's environmental mission.
• Voies Navigables de France (VNF): French national waterways authority responsible for managing the navigable river network including Seine and Marne. Comparable as a key regulatory and operational counterpart: original seller of La Walde and the framework within which Au Fil de l'Eau operates its navigation services.
• Chantier École National: French national network supporting professional insertion through economic activity (chantiers d'insertion). Comparable as the umbrella network within which Au Fil de l'Eau's two ACI insertion workshops operate, providing framework, training resources, and policy advocacy.

Regional players

• Paris Canal: Operator of canal and river tours in Paris (Canal Saint-Martin, Canal de l'Ourcq, Marne). Comparable for its urban water-based leisure and sightseeing offering in the same Île-de-France geography, though structured as a public-interest tourism operator rather than a non-profit social enterprise.
• Canauxrama: Paris-based canal tour operator running guided boat tours on Canal Saint-Martin and the canals of Paris. Comparable as a direct competitor for leisure river cruise demand in central Paris, though for-profit and without the insertion or environmental protection mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5dei81RB377ABHMIe0o8HA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Au-Fil-de-lEau-2543653675858842
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/au-fil-de-l-eau-afe
• Instagraminstagram.com/assoaufildeleau/?hl=fr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Au Fil de l'Eau