Tourists glide by boat through the canal and admire the architecture of the half-timbered houses Franz Aberham / Getty Images, How to travel France by canal (without going overboard). It is possible to discover the Burgundy Canal by boat thanks to many river cruise companies. Throughout its existence, the Palais de l'Ile has been a palace, a prison, a courthouse and a minttoday, it houses exhibits about city'shistory. Originally constructed for moving firewood from the Morvans forests to Paris, the peaceful Canal du Nivernaiscrosses the Yonne river valley, sometimes merging with the river itself and connecting the Loire with the Seine. Some practical advice for exploring the most beautiful sites along your Burgundy Canal cruise: The Canal of Bourgogne currently has 43 ports and/or water stations where you can stopover. Its Romanesque portal is dominated by a powerful square bell tower. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Venice could well be the world's most famous canal town: it's hard to imagine canals without envisioning the Italian city's winding waterways, gracefully arched bridges, sputtering vaporettos and striped gondoliers. Combined with the Canal de Garonne, it forms part of the Canal des Deux Mers (Canal of the Two Seas), which enables boats to travel all the way from the Atlantic (near Bordeaux) to the Mediterranean. If that isn't enough to pique your interest, Annecy also has canals. The castle of Ancy-le-Franc is one of the most beautiful achievements of the Renaissance in Burgundy. The Canal du Nivernais, which stretches for 111 miles with 119 locks, passes through western Burgundy crossing the River Yonne and, from time to time, merging with the river itself. The construction of the Romanesque church began in 1132 and was completed in 1172. If youre on a self-drive cruise, be sure to stock up on foodie treats at Tamata, a floating delicatessen barge selling local produce and wine. Five kilometres from Montbard is one of the most popular tourist sites in Burgundy: the magnificent Fontenay Abbey (abbaye de Fontenay). 10 Historic Canal Towns to Visit That Aren't Venice Today it is most famous for cassoulet, a hearty stew made from white haricot beans, duck and Toulouse sausage. The small-gauge waterway thus crosses the watershed between the English Channel and the Mediterranean Sea. France is one of the most visited places on the planet - and you better believe that it lives up to every bit of the hype. Because now is the time for the good life. You can cycle on or very near the chemin de halage (towpath) of the Canal de Bourgogne all the way from Dijon to Migennes (225km). , unique on French canals. Youll find plenty of opportunities for exploring along the way since our canal cruise tours include excursions that are carefully tailored and designed to ensure you get a true taste of French culture and history. They include the following: France Afloat Anglophone canal-boat specialist in France, based in Vermenton, 25km southeast of Auxerre. The first canals were built in the Middle Ages, as a source of transportation and defense. One could wander the historic center an entire day without running out of beautiful things to behold. There are still ways to snap up tickets heres how. Crossing the River Orb, the canal bridge rises 12m high as it runs over the Orb for 240 metres. 1. This important town centers around a large harbor, once a thriving port for trade along the canal. | A highly popular route with tourists looking to get the most out of their trip to France, The canal du Midi offers great scenery and makes an excellent getaway spot for those who want a break from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives. Au fil de leau, on dcouvre le vignoble de lAuxerrois, on schappe sur lembranchement de Vermenton, on sarrte Prgilbert et Merry-sur-Yonne, et on roule jusqu Vzelay (prvoir des vlos bord!). A range of options are available and you get to choose your route and how long you take to get there. When it comes to Canal du Midi cruise destinations, Carcassonne needs no introduction. Radiating out from the city's core, Amsterdam has four main canals: the Singel, the Herengracht, the Keizergracht and the Prinsengracht. the most beautiful barge on the most beautiful canal - Tripadvisor Waterway books with detailed maps are a must. The monument dates from 1896 and consists of an octagonal chapel topped by a lantern tower, which supports a colossal statue of the Virgin and Child. Il fait aujourdhui le bonheur des plaisanciers entre Migennes (prs dAuxerre) et Saint-Jean-de-Losne (sur la Sane). We visited Fontenay Abbey, in 2010 during our "Tour de Jour" 8000km, 6 weeks driving around "Le Hexigon" they had already CLOSED the entry, as the abbey was closing for the day soon, we had travelled all the way, and were desperate to visit, so we went to the other end of the Abbey to the Exit and snuck-in! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Quality boating holidays from the French canal specialist. Unlike other canal towns, which use their waterwaysto access the sea, Annecy's picturesquecanals arelake-fed. On the banks of the Garonne, Toulouse has city beaches whose skyline is crowned by the Dme de la Grave, picture-perfect at sunset. This British-owned, family-run enterprise rents boats and provides advice for trips on France's inland waterways, including the Yonne River, the Canal de Bourgogne and the Canal du Nivernais. The Canal de Bourgogne is the most beautiful canal in France. Europe's Most Beautiful Canals and Waterways Top 6 Canals to Cruise in France | Guide to French Canals The beauty starts at the train station and doesn't stop for miles. Glad to hear you had a great and surprising time at the church with the recital! Essential navigation guides, maps and books from publishers Breil and Imray. The speed limit is 6km/h on canals and 8km/h on rivers. This blog is run by Pierre Guernier for French Moments Ltd, a company founded by Pierre and Rachel Guernier and based in the south coast of England. (Warning: this article will make you want to book a trip.). At the foot of the hill is the MuseoParc Alesia, which opened in 2012. The course of the canal makes a 120 turn to go up north-west, towards the capital of the Dukes of Burgundy. The most beautiful villages in France's Alsace region 10 Historic Canal Towns to Visit That Aren't Venice Venice might be the most famous town to feature picturesque waterways, but beautiful canals can be found all over the globe Natasha. Bathers lounge at the water's edge or rent paddleboats. Agde sits on the River Herault and ranks among the prettiest villages in France. The canal meanders between the vineyards of Corbieres to the south and the Minervois to the north and a visit to the wine town of Minerve, one of the most beautiful in France, is a treat. The same with restaurants along the Canal and in the rest of France. Le canal du Midi est un canal franais qui relie Toulouse la Mditerrane. Here, you can combine the old with the very new, enjoy some of the best food and wine tasting in France, and experience one of the most vibrant cities in the country. A new tapestry of restaurant-lined canals awaits exploration. Or if planes are your thing, visit the Aerospace quarters, home to not one but two of the supersonic Concorde planes. They generally accommodate from two to 12 passengers and are fully outfitted with bedding and cooking facilities. Quels sont les plus beaux canaux de France - Koifaire This is the presumed site of the famous siege of Alesia where Julius Caesars Roman army and the Gallic coalition led by Vercingetorix clashed in 52 BC. Along with Canal de Garonne, this canal joins the Mediterranean with the Atlantic. If youre up for piloting yourself, you can hire a boat. (cluse Ronde), made of volcanic rock, acts as a crossroads for three waterways: the Canal du Midi itself as well as River Herault and the River Canalet. Depending on how you plan your Canal du Midi route, Toulouse could be your first or last port of call. 1. Except in July and August, you can often rent over a weekend. From now on, the Burgundy Canal is almost exclusively allocated to pleasure boating, to the delight of boaters. Visit one or all three of the Romanesque cathedrals each as magnificent as the next before you make your way down to the waterway. Inauguration date: 1832. Canal du Midi is the most beautiful canal in France, and it is amongst the greatest works of the 17th century. There is a magnificent view from the canal south of the marina at Vandenesse-en-Auxois. Flower-lined lanes give a fairy-tale ambiance. Like other canals and rivers catering for barge trips in France, the Canal du Midi offers different options for visitors. No matter what youre looking for when it comes to your French canal cruise trip, weve compiled a list of the six best canals to cruise in France to give you a little taste of what you can expect. Parcours fluvial vedette en Bourgogne, il attire un public pris de lenteur. The old town city center lies just beyond a medieval-era covered bridge that is flanked by towers. A more natural attraction lies on the coast at Cap dAgde, home to some of the best beaches in this part of southern France and a large naturist resort catering for up to 50,000 tourists. The garden of the Barbirey castle is an English-style landscape park designed in the 19th century. It is where seafood historically has been brought in via boat through the canals from rivers and the sea. Like other canals and rivers catering for barge trips in France, the Canal du Midi offers different options for visitors. The city makes a stunning start and triumphant end to Canal du Midi cruise destinations and is worthy of a full day visit while cruising, at least. Colmar's old city center may have a smaller footprint, but it is stunningly beautiful. It is not connected with VNF Voies Navigables de France, the national waterways management authority. needs no introduction. France is rolling out new measures to discourage overtourism at some of its most iconic sights. A range of options are available and you get to choose your route and how long you take to get there. Arrival point: Saint-Jean-de-Losne, on the banks of the Sane, a tributary of the Rhne - altitude: 182 metres. It is not only the most beautiful part but is in an area where many restaurants sell seafood. Pin the Burgundy Canal to Pinterest: Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. North of the summit at Baye, the River Yonne serves as a navigation channel for most of the way between Clamecy and Auxerre and, where the canal is artificial, the . Dont let its name Tonnerre (Thunder) fool you! Back at water level, Le Pont Vieux over the Orb is yet another picture-perfect bridge. Here are ten especially wonderful canal towns thataren't Venice. ), Discovering the Charms of France and Unleashing Your Inner Francophile, Find out more about tourism in Burgundy on the. So we asked two partisan writers to persuade you which you should choose. Last stop before leaving the Yonne dpartement: the village of Nuits-sur-Armanon. The Ultimate Guide to the Canal du Nivernais - European Waterways At the entrance to Sainte-Marie-sur-Ouche (rue de Murots), a pretty 17th-century humpbacked bridge crosses the Ouche. Today, a few original canals, orkhlongs, still exist. For those who appreciate fine French wine along with soaking up the rich and diverse history, a canal cruise along the Canal de la Marne au Rhin is a must. Description of the Burgundy Canal. The compact city packs in the sights, many of which are terracotta, like Toulouse. A mysterious organism dubbed the blob has made its debut at the Paris Zoological Park. Its picturesque streets lead to the top of the hill. Constructed from 1277, it took over 100 years to build and was the tallest cathedral in all Europe for 227 years. With its brightly colored half-timbered houses and winding canals, Colmar is a strong contender . The most beautiful canals in France for boating Saturday 17 June 2023 | Philippe Bourget Abandoned in favour of railways, France's canals have enjoyed a revival thanks to the rise of river tourism. The old town is set on a hill overlooking the Armanon valley. Burgundian destinations for their self-guided explorations include the Canal de Bourgogne, Canal du Centre, Canal du Nivernais and the Yonne and Seine Rivers.