The history of boatmen and boats in the Gorges du Tarn is closely linked to the rugged geography of the region. Since the 14th century, boats have been the main means of transport in the canyon. Each village has wooden boats of various shapes, used to connect villages, work in the vineyards or fish with nets or cast nets.

At the end of the 19th century, the first tourists discovered the Gorges thanks to the Paris-Béziers railway line. Hotels appeared in the villages and the first tourist descents were organised. At that time, the boats were not yet adapted for tourism, and ladies in full dress could be seen sitting on simple kitchen chairs on board the boats.