Canal Entre Champagne et Bourgogne (and La Saône) 3rd to 23rd October 2024 This is one of our favourite canals, despite the 71 ascending locks and 43 descending locks over its 224km length. The first section out of Vitry-le-François is rather straight and although mostly through countryside it is not as scenic as the kilometresContinue reading “Hivernage 4 – last stage to our home port”
Category Archives: French rivers
Hivernage Bound – part 1
On the Escaut, & canals Sensée, du Nord, plus 3 linked to la Oise and l’Aisne 17th to 25th August 2024 BovenSchelde/Escaut Planning for our return to Saint Usage and our winter mooring had begun sometime before, partly to fit with the end of our French 5 month visa, and partly to get through ReimsContinue reading “Hivernage Bound – part 1”
Whizzing down La Meuse PK96-46
[Cruise it slowly if you have time!] 11th to 23rd June 2024 We love La Meuse. This is our third time on the river – once up and once down before. We only stopped at 6 places this time, so if you are interested in knowing more about our experience of La Meuse here areContinue reading “Whizzing down La Meuse PK96-46”
From the Marne to the Ardennes – 4 days on 2 canals
Canals L’Aisne à La Marne and Lateral à L’Aisne 4th to 7thJune 2024 Starting from Condé-sur-Marne We had arrived at Condé from Chalons-en-Champagne at about 1pm. That gave us time for a walk round the village in the afternoon. This was a quick walk round part of the village, because the ankle I broke aContinue reading “From the Marne to the Ardennes – 4 days on 2 canals”
Northwards on the Lateral à La Marne
29th May to 3rd June 2024 We are just traveling a short distance on this canal, which follows the winding Marne Westwards towards Paris for another 19kms after we turn off towards the north and Belgium at Condé-sur-Marne. Compared to the 224 kms of the Canal Entre Champagne et Borgogne which we had just leftContinue reading “Northwards on the Lateral à La Marne”
Down the 71 locks on the Marne side
of the Canal Entre Champagne et Bourgogne 12th to 29th May 2024 [It took more than 3 times as long to go down the Marne side of this canal as going up the Saône side. Consequently this blog post is rather long and you might want to read it in chunks rather than all atContinue reading “Down the 71 locks on the Marne side”
On the Saône again – just for 2 days!
6th and 7th May 2024 (plus a few days prep beforehand) It was so good to be back on board early in May. The trip down was pleasant and uneventful once we were on the ferry. The UK side of the drive was held up for 40 minutes at Hindhead Tunnel, so we only justContinue reading “On the Saône again – just for 2 days!”
Salon Fluvial 2024 here we come!
For one weekend every April Saint Jean de Losne in France becomes the lively home of Salon Flauvial, a major French inland waterways boat show. We knew about it for years before we finally managed to be there at the right time. The trick for us is to winter in Saint Jean de Losne –Continue reading “Salon Fluvial 2024 here we come!”
Canal de Briare – Lake, Lavoirs and Les Ecluses Anciennes.
9th to 18th July 2023 I’m trying out a new style, using the names of the places we stayed as headings. Let me know what you think. Briare The Canal de Briare is reputedly the oldest canal in France. It sort of has to start at Briare doesn’t it, or end there, or both? WeContinue reading “Canal de Briare – Lake, Lavoirs and Les Ecluses Anciennes.”
Latèral à la Loire part 2
8 days from Chevenon to Briare 2nd to 9th July 2023 The Loire is the longest river in France so I guess it is no surprise that the canal lateral to it is also rather long at 200 kilometres! I was going to attempt to be a bit briefer with this second half of theContinue reading “Latèral à la Loire part 2”
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