The Saône
The Saône is a majestical river of natural beauty, unchanged by modern times. You can cruise for 230 miles from Corre in the North to Lyon in the South. On your way you will pass many small characteristic villages and also busy affluent towns. Along this stretch of river you will discover well equipped mooring positions, this area is famous for making ideal riverboating holidays.
Canal du Rhône au Rhin
This canal follows the Doubs river which will take you to the town of Dôle , which is famously known as the birth place of scientist Louis Pasteurs. Here you will find one of the nicest harbours.
In Ranchot, Dampierre or St.Vit you are nice little mooring places with shopping possibilities. One of the highlights of your journey here will be to take a round trip of the city of Besançon, this will lead you through the tunnel of Thoraise that runs directly under the Fortress of Besançon.
The Seille
This is the river tributary to the Saône, smaller in size and accessible for 25 miles by boat. Passing through the region of Bresse you will notice the relative calmness of the hilly landscape and acres of fields that make for a truly relaxing break. The area invites you to stay with it’s numerous small harbours and moorings, and if you are truly lucky you may catch a glimpse of a Heron,
Cormorant or Kingfisher particularly famous for this area. Nature lovers will enjoy the eloquent landscape, and those who have an interest in Fishing will find plenty of opportunities here. You can climb with your boat until Louhans the capital of the Bresse region.
Canal du Centre
This Canal du Centre was built between 1783 – 1793, it connects the Saône with the Loire.
It was used in previous times for the coal and mining industry to connect Le Creusot with Montchanin. You will be delighted by the spectacular countryside of the Charolais and it is here you can find the ‘Famous White Cows’ raised purely for their excellent quality of beef. After passing Paray-le-Monial with its famous basilica, which is a jewel of Burgundy Romanesque architechture, you will arrive in Digoin with its magnificent canal bridge across the Loire river.
Canal de Bourgogne
The “Canal de Bourgogne” is the oldest canal in France connecting the Saône with the Yonne. The length of this canal totals 151 miles, through which you will pass 189 locks.
Many people may fear travelling through so many locks but the elegant natural scenery really makes this a worth while cruise to embark on. You will also encounter the tunnel of Pouilly-en-Auxois, which can not be experienced anywhere else.
Canal de la Marne à la Saône
The canal de la Marne à la Saône allowes to join the Seine river with the Rhône by passing the highest point next to the city of Langres. It is at that point where it passes through a long tunnel. His nick-name “canal Bourgogne-Champagne” lets you imagine all the culinary highlights you will pass along your way. In the department of the “Côte d’Or”, the canal follows the vallay of “la Vingeanne” where you will pass along different castles. Talmay, Beaumont-sur-Vingeanne, Fontaine-Française. The canal de la Marne à la Saône offers to you everything. On your way you will discover the beautiful landscape lock after lock.
