Le Canal des Ardennes – both gentle and demanding.

7th to 10th June 2024, but deserves longer Two things – WordPress offers AI to improve my blog (scary) but this all my own work,, plus the Captain’s additions. And my Captain says I should try to make the blog posts shorter, so here goes …… Heading north from Saint-Jean-de-Losne on the Saône to BelgiumContinue reading “Le Canal des Ardennes – both gentle and demanding.”

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”

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”

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.”

On the Yonne

and a couple of family visits. 26th July to 4th August 2023, with a two week break in UK READER WARNING: somehow this ended up a bit longer than planned. Maybe give yourself a break part way through, or just look at the photos! The navigable section of the Yonne, before the Canal de NivernaisContinue reading “On the Yonne”

Along the Loing

18th to 23rd July 2023 At 49kms this must be one of the shortest canals in France, but that does not detract from its charm. I can feel myself being repetitive when I say that we have been surprised and captivated from Montargis to St-Mammés, where the river Loing joins the Seine. It was builtContinue reading “Along the Loing”