The Canal de Bourgogne is one of the most popular places for a canal boat holiday in France. Linking the River Seine and Rhone, it’s a north-south route that passes through several historically significant towns, making it an ideal location for a trip filled with lots of sightseeing.
Are there canal boats in France?
France offers the largest river network in Europe with over 100 canals and rivers. This creates around 800km of navigable waterways making it the ideal destination for a canal boating holiday in France.
What is a French river boat called?
Péniche. (barge) A type of river or canal-based transport, used for the haulage of heavy goods and cargo along the French waterways. Today, many have been refurbished as luxury floating hotels.
What are the canals in France called?
List
| Sort name |
Waterway (canal or river) Ref. |
To (waterway or sea) |
| Aisne lat |
Canal latéral à l’Aisne |
Canal des Ardennes |
| Aisne-Marne |
Canal de l’Aisne à la Marne |
Canal latéral à la Marne |
| Alsace |
Grand Canal d’Alsace |
Rhine |
| Ardennes |
Canal des Ardennes |
Canal de la Meuse |
What is the best area for canal boats in France? – Related Questions
How long does it take to go through the French canals?
French canal holidays along the Canal du Midi take around ten days from start to finish, but this amount of time can vary, depending on what you want to get out of your trip.
Can you cross France by boat?
The most popular ferry operators for France are EuroTunnel with up to 59 crossings per day, Brittany Ferries with up to 8 crossings per day, P&O Ferries with up to 17 crossings per day and DFDS Seaways with up to 29 crossings per day, offering routes to Calais, Dunkirk, Nice, Marseille and many more all year round.
What city in France has canals?
ANNECY, FRANCE: Located in the north of French Alps, Annecy is known as “the Venice” of France. Small canals and streams branching out of Lake Annecy dissect and run thru this medieval town in many parts.
Why are there canals in France?
Completed in 1681 at the behest of Louis XIV and classified as a World Heritage site since 1996, the canal was designed to provide a trading route between major French ports.
How many canals are there in France?
The French network of waterways includes 100 canals and rivers, totaling over 8,000 kilometers. There are dozens of possible cruises, along a single canal or into other inter-connected waterways.
What waterways are in France?
Top 6 Canals to Cruise in France
- Canal de Bourgogne.
- Canal du Nivernais.
- Canal du Midi.
- Canal de Garonne.
- Canal de Briare.
- Canal de la Marne au Rhin.
- Your Luxury French Canal Cruise.
- Ready to Experience it for Yourself?
How deep are the canals in France?
Waterway Depths, Heights and Widths Practical Navigation
| THE NORTHERN WATERWAYS |
Draught |
Height |
| CENTRAL FRANCE |
Depth |
Height |
| Bourbonnais route (Loing, Briare, latéral à la Loire) |
1.80m |
3.50m |
| Canal du Nivernais |
1.20m |
2.70m |
| Canal de Bourgogne |
1.40m |
3.50m |
Are French canals open?
The Canal des Vosges is closed for maintenance from 3rd Oct 2022 to 3rd Nov 2022 – This means you will not be able to reach Epinal from Fontenoy-le-Chateau. Please note that the Canal du Rhone au Rhin is only navigable until Dôle. Algae and low water levels are currently preventing navigation between Dôle and Besançon.
How deep is the Canal du Midi?
The design canal depth is two metres (6.6 ft) with a minimum of 1.80 m. The draft allowed is 1.50 m although regular users advise that even with 1.40 m boats will occasionally touch the bottom because of silt deposits in many places. The width on the surface is 20 m on average with variations between 16 m and 20 m.
Can you swim in the Canal du Midi?
Swimming in the Canal Du Midi is not allowed. Similarly you are not allowed to swim in any other canals maintained by the VNF in France. These include the Canal de la Robine and the Canal de la Jonction as well. Swimming in the Canal Du Midi is dangerous.
Can you walk the Canal du Midi?
A walk along the Canal du Midi is the easiest way to discover this monumental work. It is also an unmissable experience, both for the inspiring atmosphere of the place and for the tranquility of its waters.
How many locks are there on the Canal du Midi?
On its 240-km (149-mile) journey, the Canal du Midi first rises 63 metres (206 feet), via 26 locks, on its 51.5-km (32-mile) stretch from Toulouse to its 5-km- (3-mile-) long summit, then descends 189 metres (620 feet) in 183.5 km (114 miles) by 74 locks to Étang de Thau.
What is the most scenic part of Canal du Midi?
When it comes to Canal du Midi cruise destinations, Carcassonne needs no introduction. With its hilltop location and over 2km of ramparts dotted with 53 towers, the largest citadel in Europe counts as one of the main highlights on the Canal. It’s also one of France’s most spectacular UNESCO world heritage sites.
Where does the Canal du Midi start and finish?
The age-old question people ask is “Where does the Canal du Midi start and finish?”. The simple answer to this is that the Canal du Midi starts in the city of Toulouse and finishes at the lagoon of Étang de Thau perched on the edge of the Mediterranean sea.
Are the locks on the Canal du Midi manned?
Navigating the locks along the Canal Du Midi
Now, since the modernisation of the canal’s locks, many of them work off electrical setups and no longer require the manual strength from boaters travelling through them.
What time do locks close on Canal du Midi?
The locks are open every day except 1 January, 11 November and 25 December, from 08:00 until 17:30 out of season and 08:00 until 19:00 in the summer peak; all locks are closed 12:30 – 13:30 for lunch.