Barge holidays from Joigny,
Corbigny or Dompierre
bases
 Linking
the River Yonne to the River Saone, the Canal de Bourgogne,
started in 1775 and finished in 1834, takes you to the heart
of the Renaissance. At that period the Duchy of Burgundy vied
in magnificence with the Kingdom of France.
Travel from Joigny through
Chablis country past ancient poplar trees and buildings ranging
from abbeys to fortified farmhouses. Tie up close to the superb
aqueduct at Saint Florentin and climb up
to its church to admire the superb stained glass.
At Tonnerre, the Fosse Dionne pool, surrounded
by ancient houses, still provides a water supply to the town.
Magnificent and splendidly furnished Renaissance chateaux
such as Tanlay and Ancy-le-Franc
punctuate your cruise. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Fontenay
Abbey, tucked away in a secluded valley, is a short
bike ride away.
 From
Joigny take
the Canal du Nivernais and travel through
the Yonne valley and glorious French scenery. Romanesque churches
abound and famous wine producing regions lie close to the
canal.
From Auxerre, noted for its food, fine
Nivernais architecture and its wine, notably Chablis,
cruise to picturesque Irancy, surrounded
by vineyards with its Gothic and Renaissance buildings.
The dramatic location of Chatel-Censoir,
a pretty village with 5th century crypt and ancient church,
vies in splendour with nearby Vezelay, its
main street lined with medieval houses and the magnificent
World Heritage site church, starting point for the pilgrimage
to Compostella.
 Friendly,
bustling Clamecy retains its ancient dovecotes.
The prosperous little wine producing village of Tannay
boasts panoramic views over the Morvan hills on the way to
our base at Corbigny.
Connecting the Seine to the Loire, the two sides of the summit
of the Canal du Nivernais are very different. From Corbigny
south to Decize the descent to the Loire winds through rich
meadows grazed by the famous white Nivernais cattle. Between
Sardy-les-Epiry and Baye
the three successive tunnels at La Colancelle lead to a set
of 16 closely spaced locks in a rural setting. The Etang
de Baye with its watersports centre lies right alongside
the canal, while the lofty silhouette of the Chateau
of Chatillon-en-Bazois soon looms into view. Then
reach Decize, on a hill between two arms
of the Loire, its narrow and picturesque streets ringed with
walled fortifications.
At Decize the lateral canal meets the Loire, and river bathing
is possible. Salmon and shad swim up here from the distant
sea to spawn.
 Our
base at Dompierre
in Southern Burgundy is a crossroads. Lining the canal banks
are chateaux, abbeys and medieval villages. The Pal wildlife
park near Dompierre offers some spectacular attractions with
almost 500 animals from five continents able to roam in natural
settings.
Cruise north up the Canal du Nivernais and
cruise through ravishing countryside to the secret heart of
the Morvan, or visit Nevers, steeped in history.
Cross high above the River Allier on the Guetin
aqueduct. A three-lock staircase leads up to it, and lights
control traffic since its width is too narrow to allow boats
to pass. You’ll enjoy magnificent vistas across many
famous vineyards to pretty villages such as Sancerre
and St-Satur.
South from Dompierre
reach the magnificent Digoin aqueduct which
takes you on to the Canal du Centre, built in the 18th century
to link Roanne to Chalon-sur-Saone. The Digoin aqueduct crosses
the River Loire - a real waterways crossroads.
Digoin is famous for its potteries, and a museum housed in
an 18th century hostelry is devoted to them.
The Canal de Roanne à Digoin leads to Roanne,
noted for its gastronomy all over France, but famous too for
china and faience.
Boating Holidays
in Burgundy West
Cruiser Boat Holidays
in Burgundy West
Boating Holidays
in Burgundy East
Central France
boat bases and routes
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