Up the 43 locks on the Saône side

of the Canal Entre Champagne et Bourgogne 7th to 11th May 2024 This canal links the Marne river to the Saône river and originally was named le Marne à la Saône, but tourist traffic and an interest in wines from different regions led to it being renamed in 2005. The T-junction towards the bottom ofContinue reading “Up the 43 locks on the Saône 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 Bourgogne – slipping down the Saone side

19th to 29th September 2023 The last blog I posted left us at the summit of the Canal de Borgogne, enjoying a rest at Pouilly-en-Auxois after a quite hectic climb up the Yonne side of this marvellous canal. And after three days enjoying the sunsets, the convenience of a supermarket near-by and general relaxation weContinue reading “Canal de Bourgogne – slipping down the Saone side”

Low water on the Canal de Bourgogne, Yonne side.

5th to 16th September 2023 After some lovely summer months coming vaguely north west on the Canals Centre, Loire, Briare and Loing, then on the river Yonne to Auxerre, it was time to head southwards to our winter mooring at Saint Usage. Saint Usage is at the bottom of the Canal de Bourgogne where itContinue reading “Low water on the Canal de Bourgogne, Yonne side.”

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”

We are Lateral to the Loire!

South to North, the first 93 kilometres 22 June – 1st July 2023 We had been travelling on the Canal du Centre for 2 weeks, retracing our steps (or should I say wake?) from 2016. And for the first 4 kms of the Lateral à la Loire we would be doing the same thing; afterContinue reading “We are Lateral to the Loire!”

Revisiting Canal du Centre 7 years on

Ocean side 15th to 22nd June 2023 For the third day in a row, we had a little challenge at our first lock of the day. This time we sallied forth from our mooring at Montchanin at the top of the Canal de Centre, looking forward to our first lock ‘aval’ (down). Generally speaking goingContinue reading “Revisiting Canal du Centre 7 years on”

Revisiting Canal du Centre 7 Years On

The Mediterranean side June 9th – 2023  We left La Saône and came onto the Canal du Centre on a beautiful day. It’s quite a rise from the river water level to that of the canal, but the deep lock is very gentle with its rising bollards, and we ascended happily. This canal, like manyContinue reading “Revisiting Canal du Centre 7 Years On”