Draught 2.2m – Air Height 3.45m – Width 5.75m, Paris – Seine – C. du Loing – C. de Briare – Loire Lateral – Centre**. River Somme. This passage goes through some historical and beautiful towns such as Beziérs, Carcassonne, Castelnaudary, Toulouse, Moissac, Montauban, and Bordeaux. In central France a series of summit level canals link the Loire, Seine and Saone … There are dozens of possible cruises, along a single canal or into other inter-connected waterways. We consider our trip to be mere reconnaissance for many more journeys through the French canals in the future. Unstepping the mast at Grau d’Agde on the Mediterranean coast. Getting around is easy: the towpaths are often converted to bike tracks so having bikes on board is therefore recommended. In central France a series of summit level canals link the Loire, Seine and Saone providing routes from Paris to Lyon and … French Canals Read More » In an automated lock, you press a button on the control panel to close the gate and start the process. It is the continuation of the Canal du Midi which connects the Mediterranean with … Scale  1: 1 500 000 with clear graphics that note key characteristics for each waterway. The countryside, ranging from rolling vineyards with snow-capped mountains in the background, to verdant green farmland dotted with church spires, not to mention the bustling streets of central Toulouse and Bordeaux, was also as fascinating as it was varied. In our latest series Howard Walker sets off from the Netherlands, heading to the Mediterranean via the French canals, but first he has a London stop-off in mind. Canal de Garonne – River Baise – River Lot (lower). Petit Rhône – Rhône a Sete – Lez – Etang de Thau – Canal du Midi – Canal de Jonction/de la Robine. We built two A-frames out of pine beams, one at the bow and one across the transom. Breil A4 format pilot book (chart-guide) with detailed canal/river information including locks, bridges, depths, moorings, towns and villages and facilities. SN5 = south to north via Azores. Or on deck? By Henry Samuel 26 July 2011 • 07:00 am Le Havre/Honfleur – Seine – Paris – Marne – Marne Lateral. Our mast is 16m high and our boat is 12m in length, so our major concern with having our mast on deck was dealing with the overhang. In our latest series Howard Walker sets off from the Netherlands, heading to the Mediterranean via the French canals, but first he has a London stop-off in mind. From the Straits of Gibraltar and from the end of the French canals all the ports, marinas and places to visit. I is hard to believe but it's been almost 2 years since I last talked with my sailing acquaintance Jules Dusek. France is at its best away from the main tourist trails, and canals like the Briare, Nivernais, Burgundy and Canal du Midi are perfect for exploring some of France’s finest scenery, fascinating history and local culture. River Yonne. Our cruises on the French canals, aboard our barges (the most modern in Europe!). TO THE MEDITERRANEAN. The Kiel Canal can be a fascinating voyage in a yacht, as Detlef Jens reports, Cape Horn sailors and ditch diggers sacrificed all to make the path between the Atlantic and Pacific easier for the…. Compare the options for ‘sailing around’ or ‘transportation’ or ‘routes through, Detailed day by day accounts of ‘Sailing Through France’, River Oise and Canal latéral à l’Oise, River Aisne and Canal latéral à l’Aisne, Upper Seine (Haute Seine and Petite Seine), Canal du Rhône à Sète and Etang de Thau. Draught 1.8m* – Air Height 3.5m – Width 5.05m, Yonne – Loing – Briare – Loire Lateral – Centre – Nivernais. Other canals in France offer slightly different dimensions, but unstepping the mast will be necessary for all sailing boats entering the canals. Go Your Own Way – Cruise the canals driving your own hire boat, Sit Back and Relax – captain and crew will treat you like royalty, Watch France Glide Past – close-up, from the comfort of your cabin. Normal Limits The famous Canal du Midi winds past Carcassonne’s ancient citadel on its historic journey to the Mediterranean. Excellent and up-to-date map of all navigable French canals and rivers, plus (uniquely) Belgium, Holland and the Rhine. A very comprehensive navigational guide. Canal du Loing. France has 2700 miles of inland waterways and a network of canals that link to the main rivers, connecting the English Channel and Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Having the mast on deck does impact the cockpit space. Read reviews from world’s largest community for readers. The costs vary from €2-€20 per night. Building Canal du Centre completed the final link in the first inland waterway route between the English Channel and the Mediterranean Sea. SN3= north to south via Le Havre - Paris - or Calais or St Valery. One of the delights of travelling along the canals is that you can pull over and tie up almost anywhere. Passage Planning Passage Planning The remainder of the route to Bordeaux uses the river Garonne. Boats (within size limits) can pass through from the English Channel to the Med. Less in high summer - Width 5.5 metres - (18ft.) I’d then go up to the lock, greet the friendly éclusier (who was occasionally unaware of our presence), and wait at the lock entrance for Nick to bring the boat through. However, for shallow draught yachts, an attractive alternative awaits: a cruise through the French canals. It also replaces the northern part of the previous #08 Champagne-Ile de France guide (the southern part has been updated within guide #19 Marne). Waterways of France. Our Southerly 38, Ruby Rose, has a swing keel, which gives a minimum draught of 0.8m. The narrowest part of the Canal du Midi is 5.45m and the lowest bridge is 3.25m above the waterline. 2 days min. 7. Breil A4 format pilot book (chart-guide) with detailed canal/river information including locks, bridges, depths, moorings, towns and villages and facilities. If you are thinking about using the French canals to passage between the UK and the Mediterranean then this ebooklet contains all the information you need. Here … Excellent and up-to-date map of all navigable French canals and rivers, plus (uniquely) Belgium, Holland and the Rhine. From the Mediterranean. It is not connected with VNF Voies Navigables de France, the national waterways management authority. Plus the complete River Saone, the River Seille and adjacent parts of the Bourgogne, Centre and Rhone au Rhin. France has 2700 miles of inland waterways and a network of canals that link to the main rivers, connecting the English Channel and Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. We employed the boathook to retrieve the bow line, and Nick could throw up the stern line or, more usually, simply hold it out for my waiting boathook. 13. … The other option is the north-south route, which links the English Channel with the Mediterranean via the Rhône, the Saône and the Seine, as well as a number of smaller canals. The Bourbonnais route, from Fontainbleu-St-Mammes to Chalons-sur-Saône. Scale 1: 1 500 000 with clear graphics that note key characteristics for each waterway. Circumstances can restrict these locally, as can the effect of dry seasons affecting water supply (noted as * risk where regularly experienced). Over 2700 copies of this book have been sold and it has become the ''standard'' pilot book for transiting the French canals to the Mediterranean and back. Being France, a produce market, a bakery and somewhere to buy a bottle of wine is never far away. However, the canals almost always pass through the centre of the towns and villages on its meandering path, and so provisioning, finding a restaurant or taking in the local sights rarely requires more than a leisurely stroll. Draught 1.8m – Air Height 3.7m – Width 5.05m, Buy all of the above waterway detail pages, to download onto your computer – for reference, planning and printing – at a reduced 20% off price for the set. This newly surveyed and created Breil guide covers the complete river from the tidal estuary up to Rouen, then the non-tidal Lower Seine to and through Paris. Free water and electricity, in the main. The lock then empties itself of water and once you’re down and the gate opens, you retrieve your lines and continue on your way. Terysa Vanderloo reports. Height = 3.5 metres - 11ft 4 inches. The first factor you must bear in mind before deciding on a cruise through the French inland waterways is the dimensions of the canals, particularly draught. C. entre Champage et Bourgogne – Air draught is another consideration; there are many low bridges to squeeze under, most of which have a towpath that leads underneath the bridge, which narrows the width of the canal as well. From Toulouse to the town of Castets-en-Dorthe, 193 km away, the canal is called Canal de Garonne. The perfect way to discover the country is on a french canal cruise. The historic Canal du Midi is UNESCO listed. Most locks in the French waterways have now been automated, which means you activate the lock by twisting a pole suspended in the middle of the canal on your approach. We quickly decided that the best thing to do was to let me off the boat in advance (either to the waiting pontoons outside every lock, or we simply nosed the boat into the bank). The Parisian canals St-Denis and St-Martin are included, as is the Ourcq (which is only navigable for small craft). Dodging the shipping containers. Navigation Guides and Maps are essential – see ‘Further Details’ for each route stage below. Canal de Bourgogne . See below for critical route dimensions, and distances, timings and lock numbers taken from VNF’s own route planning app. Thanks again Bill. In 2013 he and his wife he did the Canal De Bourgogne. The Canal de Garonne, formerly known as Canal latéral à la Garonne, is a French canal dating from the mid-19th century which connects Toulouse to Castets-en-Dorthe. From the Mediterranean port of Sète to Toulouse, a distance of 240 km, runs Canal du Midi. This is a slightly-used canal in France… There are several ways of getting your boat to the Mediterranean. May 26, 2014 - If you are thinking about using the French canals to passage between the UK and the Mediterranean then this book contains all the information you need. The introduction forms a complete general guide to the French waterways, including distances and overall dimensions, formalities, navigation regulations and up-to-date list of hire operators, making inland waterways of France not just an unrivalled planning tool but also an outstanding cruising reference. Breil A4 format pilot book (chart-guide) with detailed canal/river information including locks, bridges, depths, moorings, towns and villages and facilities. This newly surveyed and created Breil guide expands and incorporates the previous #13 Oise and #15 Somme guides. Before entering the canals, the logistics of negotiating the locks with just the two of us on board was an unknown. The canal runs from the city of Toulouse down to … C. de Calais – Dunkerque-Escaut – C. du  Nord – Oise – Seine – Paris. Constructing the frame was an unfamiliar although enjoyable challenge. We enjoyed a month in the canals, and could have easily spent an entire season exploring the route from Agde to Pauilliac. It describes the Routes, the regulations the paperwork - How where and when to get the qualifications and license, the depths, air heights, locks and a whole lot more. Passage Planning The standard comprehensive guide to the French canals and navigable rivers includes maps and distance tables for each waterway, giving the user a general view of the geography of each waterway as well as a detailed cockpit reference. If you are thinking about using the French canals to passage between the UK and the Mediterranean then this booklet contains all the information you need. 400km – 37 locks – 3 days min. The complete Marne to Saone (Champagne) route, plus the Aisne-Marne canal that joins the route at Condé-sur-Marne. If you are thinking about using the French canals to passage between the UK and the Mediterranean then this book contains all the information you need. The Canal du Midi is a 150 mile long canal in southwestern France connecting the Garonne River to the Étang de Thau on the Mediterranean. Normal Limits (* risk) Most ‘nature moorings’ (posts for tying u… You will wander in the authentic countryside, discovering picturesque villages with vibrant traditions. You can pedal along for almost 800km beside the Canal de Garonne and the Canal du Midi, the latter a World Heritage Site, to explore unforgettable landscapes and sites. It’s not a question we can easily answer, but these are the pertinent factors –, Waterway Depths, Heights and Widths – for all key rivers and canals, Read the complete story of our Sailing Through France journey. The perfect way to discover the country is on a french canal cruise. Thick fog has enveloped La Manche with Dover Coastguard warning of two cable length visibility. Download now. In this episode: Basel, Switzerland to Montbeliard, France. River Aisne and Aisne Canals. Not all canals are maintained at the same depth: for example, the Seine is 3m, the River Saône is 1.8m, and the Canal du Midi is 1.5m (and these depths can be patchy in places). This isn’t your only option. Some of the stunning tree-lined scenery on the French canals. SN2= north to south via Canal du Midi. We finally realized that dream in 2011 when we cruised the lovely Brittany Coast, and the spring/summer of 2012 when we … Cruising the French canals with a sailboat from the Mediterranean Sea to Schengen, Luxembourg Here's some facts and figures about our 30-day canal cruising thru France from The Mediterranean Sea to Schengen, Luxembourg. (downstream), Normal Limits We had dreamt of sailing here in our own boat, and even of the possibility of crossing the French Canals with our sailboat. Due to the air draught restrictions, we set the rig on its frame under our bimini. Essential navigation guides, maps and books from publishers Breil, Fluviacarte and Imray. French Canals. SN7 = south to north via canals to Paris and Le Havre, Calais, St Valery sur Somme. Contact us for special (e.g recorded, insured) delivery services. Revised 2010 – Full-colour – Hardback – 310 pages.Contact us for special (e.g recorded, insured) delivery services, This one of the most frequent questions that we get asked, from folk whose vessels are just below, at, or slightly beyond the draught, height or width limits. So in this episode I catch up on him and his travels through the French canals. Terysa Vanderloo has been living aboard her Southerly 38 with her partner Nick Fabbri for five years and together they have sailed three continents, two oceans and 25,000 miles. It would be preferable to take the boat to a French port – for example Calais, Le Havre or Rouen – and arrange for it to be lifted out and onto the lorry there, including unstepping the mast if appropriate. SN5= south to north via Azores. Canal de Briare . The southern canal network from the Rhone through to Toulouse. It may have looked odd, but we knew the ends of the mast would be the most vulnerable to damage while in the canals. French Canals The smaller canals were a great part of the trip, visiting small towns and wineries, many interesting locks including a few amazing aqueducts. THE RHONE to Port St Louis & Sete . The costs vary from €2-€20 per night. Up to 20% discounts for private charter or book by cabin luxury cruises, Save 5% to 50% per week on boats and destinations throughout France, Up to 20% off high-quality fleet cruises on the major rivers of France. We chose Chantier Allemande in Grau d’Agde on the Mediterranean for the unstepping, and Paulliac to step on the Atlantic side. several ways of getting your boat to the Mediterranean. Plus the Canal Roanne à Digoin and the Canal de Nivernais. While there is an entire network of European waterways waiting to be explored, there are two main routes that British sailors might be interested in: one is the east-west route via the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi and the Canal de Garonne, jointly known as the Canal de Deux Mers, which connects Mediterranean France with the Bay of Biscay. The French Canal Routes: To the Mediterranean French Canal Routes to the Mediterranean provides all the information needed to undertake this passage in your own boat. Costs were reasonable although varied; unstepping was €35, stepping was €120. The southern section of the Marne/Champagne route from Langres to St-Jean-de-Losne – the complete route from Paris to the Saone is in guide 19 Marne. CANAL DU MIDI . CANAL DU MIDI. The Canal du Midi is an exception, and the locks are still operated by a lock keeper (éclusier). There are moorings and facilities placed at regular intervals, often with electricity and water and sometimes even showers and a laundry. It’s forbidden to tie to a tree, so ground stakes must be used (you need to carry your own), but the reward is a huge amount of flexibility in terms of where to stop for the night. My partner Nick and I recently took our Southerly 38 through the Canal de Deux Mers and found it to be a truly unique cruising experience. One of the delights of travelling along the canals is that you can pull over and tie up almost anywhere. An alternative is the scenic route via St Valery or Calais. SN6= south to north via … It also left the éclusier to get on with operating the locks or help other boaters out with their lines, many of whom were enjoying a hire boat holiday and sometimes weren’t as experienced at line handling and boat manoeuvring as we are. Normal Limits Breil A4 format pilot book (chart-guide) with detailed canal/river information including locks, bridges, depths, moorings, towns and villages and facilities. France has 2700 miles of inland waterways and a network of canals that link to the main rivers, connecting the English Channel and Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. It is a modern route up the Seine to Paris though, so if you just want to visit Paris clearances are higher - 5.5 … There are numerous routes but all require the mast down as the small canals have clearances of just 3.5 meters. France is at its best away from the main tourist trails, and canals like the Briare, Nivernais, Burgundy and Canal du Midi are perfect for exploring some of France’s finest scenery, fascinating history and local culture. Above Paris the guide covers the Upper Seine to Montereau (junction with the River Yonne) and the Petite Seine to Marcilly. The remainder of … SN1= north to south - direct route by sea. There are a number of options to cruise through France to and from the Mediterranean. Normal Limits The Garonne/canal from Castets to Toulouse, including the side branch rivers Baise and (lower) Lot, the Canal de Montech to Montauban and the River Tarn at Moissac. Very quiet, peaceful, scenic, good wide river, very few boats indeed. So we tried lassoing the bollards from the boat, but this proved an unreliable technique at best; the bollards were above the level of the boat, often above head height, and sometimes quite far away. There are moorings and facilities placed at regular intervals, often with electricity and water and sometimes even showers and a laundry. Draught 1.5m* – Air Height 3.25m – Width 5.2m. The Atlantic Gironde estuary from the sea to Bordeaux, with the River Garonne to Castets-en-Dorthe, also including the navigable lower sections of the Rivers Dordogne (to Gardonne) and l’Isle (to Coutras). Tidal river (Le Havre to Rouen), lower Seine to Paris, Paris including the Saint-Denis, Saint-Martin and Ourcq canal, upper Seine and Petite Seine to the navigation limit.Â. French Canals. BEST TIME - almost any time of year is possible but IN WINTER the canals can freeze making progress impossible. … The quickest method to get a boat to the Med. If you own a boat it has to be suitable, big enough to cross and where needed use the rivers and busy canals, small enough to fit in the locks and under the bridges you will meet on the way. Supermarkets are also usually nearby. Draft = 1.8 metres - 5ft 9inchs. Stage A | Stage B | Stage C | Stage D | Stage E | Stage F | Stage GÂ. From the Mediterranean. FRENCH CANALS INFORMATION AND LINKS. I would like to bring my 36ft sailing boat in July to the Mediterranean through the French canals. Fast and free shipping free returns cash on delivery available on eligible purchase. Timing allowances are for fast full-day passages. We were advised by fellow canal goers to enter the lock and then throw your lines up to the éclusier, though we felt that expecting the éclusiers to abandon their actual job – operating the locks – was impolite. High quality durable paper.Companion to the ‘Inland Waterways of France’ book. Departure: Port-St-Louis (close to Marseille), France, Mediterranean Sea Arrival: Schengen, Luxembourg Distance: 530.5 nm / 982.4 km Time: 30 days … For many skippers wishing to sail between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, it’s necessary to go via the Strait of Gibraltar. Terms, Conditions, ©Copyrightand Privacy Statement, Contact Address french-waterways.com •  2 Michaels Court, Hanney Road, Southmoor, OX13 5HR, UK •  Port Lalande, 47260 Castelmoron-sur-Lot, France. Passage Planning It would be preferable to take the boat to a French port – for example Calais, Le Havre or Rouen – and arrange for it to be lifted out and onto the lorry there, … SN4 = south to north via Atlantic coast. THE CALAIS OR ST VALERY SUR SOMME 'SCENIC' ROUTE . Passage Planning In central France a series of summit level canals link the Loire, Seine and Saone … £10. R. Saône. 375km – 131 locks – 4 days min. Draught 3.5m – Air Height 4.9m – Width 12m, River Saône included in Breil guide 03 – Petit Rhone and Rhone à Sete in Breil guide 07, River Rhone – Petit Rhone – Canal de Bacarin (Arles) – Canal St Louis. Unfortunately, there is currently no guide available for the most northerly Nord/Calais region.Â. High quality durable paper. C. de Calais – Dunkerque Escaut – C. du Nord – Aisne – A à la Marne. The two canals offered vastly different experiences, with the tree-lined Garonne far quieter and more sedate than the wonderfully atmospheric Canal du Midi. No allowance for un-masting or re-masting or similar operations. THE CLASSIC SLOW ROUTE. If you are new to the Western Mediterranean this book is an indispensable guide and pilot book. The Channel crossing turns out to be a real nailbiter. Sign up now for our occasional email Newsletter about enjoying boating throughout the waterways of France - including updates, special offers, cruising options and things to do. It was built in the 17th century at a time when France was the … Cargo straps proved invaluable for securing the frames as they can be tensioned far more easily than rope. It describes the Routes, the regulations the paperwork - How where and when to get the qualifications and license, the depths, air heights, locks and a whole lot more. Might over-winter here. 600km – 28 locks – 4 days min. The French network of waterways includes 100 canals and rivers, totaling over 8,000 kilometers. R. Garonne – C. de Garonne – C. du Midi – Rhone à Sete. A good cruising guide will provide detailed information on the location of all moorings and facilities along the canals. No allowance for sightseeing and other essential stops. Once the lock was full I’d jump back on board. TO PARIS FROM NOYANS – alternative to Calais/St Valery ‘Scenic route’ 12. Explore by boat, barge or ship – what are the differences? The information published here results from more than ten years personal experience cruising the waterways from north to south and east to west. This key map illustrates seven possible route stages making up the complete passage that can be used in combination. However, it’s a rewarding and enriching journey, unlike any other type of boating. If you are thinking about using the French canals to passage between the UK and the Mediterranean then this booklet contains all the information you need. £4 . Indeed, when we arrived in Paulliac we had a very scuffed bucket, but not a single scratch on the mast. Beam = 5 metres - 16ft 4inches. Companion to the ‘Inland Waterways of France’ book. Category: eBooks Converted and Formatted By Us Author: Michael Briant Price: 0 . This isn’t your only option. Once the mast was sitting in the frame, we also added two additional struts, one in the cockpit and another on the coachroof, cut to size and wedged into place to provide extra support. This method ensured that Nick didn’t have to leave the helm, and I was able to manage the lines. On the back of a lorry, via the French canals, four or five day’s non stop across the Bay of Biscay then down the Portuguese coast or spend the summer or two, gently coasting southwards, enjoying the harbours, cities, towns and villages of France Spain and Portugal. The canal connects the Garonne to the Étang de Thau on the Mediterranean and along with the 193 km (120 mi) long Canal de Garonne forms the Canal des Deux Mers, joining the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The French canals provide an attractive alternative to the Strait of Gibraltar for yachts looking to enter the Mediterranean. We were quoted €1,000 for the mast transport, not including storage costs incurred by the boatyards. 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