Boating in Europe

Burgundy

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Superb food and wine can be found in Burgundy, a region where enjoying the good things in life has been brought to perfection.

You'll cruise through richly cultivated valleys, lush pastures and sloping vineyards. Moor in picturesque towns & villages with their cobbled streets and medieval houses.

Canal du Nivernais and River Yonne
Possibly the most beautiful of all French canals, the Nivernais winds between Auxerre and Decize by the Loire. Leave a little time in your plans to visit the magnificent city of Auxerre on the River Yonne. Its majestic cathedral and popular little squares will charm you.

Canal de Bourgogne
Acclaimed as one of the prettiest routes through the heartland of France. Hills, valleys, vineyards and château towns such as Tonnerre, Tanlay and Ancy-le-Franc are features of a breath-taking landscape where there is a wealth of places to moor and savour superb cuisine.

If you stay on the Saône you'll enjoy the wider but gently flowing sweeps of the river through famous wine areas towards To urnus and Mâcon.

Southwards from Branges you can head towards Tournus and Mâcon or join the Canal du Centre at Chalon-sur-Saône to explore the Loire region. Alternatively, to the north you can branch off on to the Canal de Bourgogne at St Jean de Losne, or take the choice of the "Little Saône" or Marne au Saône canal at Heuilly.


	Your choice of start points in Bugundy Migennes – River Yonne Chatel Censoir – Canal du Nivernais Gannay sur Loire – Canal Latéral à la Loire Chatillon sur Loire – Canal Latéral à la Loire (one-way base only) Gray – River Saône Branges – River Seille


1.		The Continentale at Clamecy
2.		The Flying Bridge at Chatel Censoir
3.		The Connoisseur Magnifique at Mailly le Château, Canal du Nivernais

Canal Latéral à la Loire
From Briare in the north to Digoin in the south, the Canal Latéral à la Loire follows the route of the mighty River Loire. For its length of 196km, there are very few locks - just 38. There are many fascinating villages and towns - the most notable is Sancerre which is famous for its dry white wine. Views of the immense vineyards are obtained from the Promenade de la Porte César. To the north entry to the Canal de Briare is via Eiffel's superb aqueduct.

Canal du Centre
Originally known as the Canal du Charollais, it is an extremely beautiful waterway, gently winding through woods and valleys. From Digoin it follows the valley of the Bourbince, climbing to the summit level at Montchanin, followed by a rapid descent down the valley of the Dheune. A notable town to visit is the pilgrim town of Paray-le-Monial near Digoin, with its magnificent waterside Romanesque basilica, where a succession of visions have been experienced. Around Santenay are the famous vineyards of the Cote d'Or.

River Saône and Canal de l'Est
The two Connoisseur bases at Gray and Branges (the latter situated on the River Seille) promise the widest choice of waterways in France.From Gray you can reach the Canal de l'Est to the north, whilst to the south you can cruise the tree-lined Marne au Saône canal, the southern reaches dotted with some splendid châteaux, or even the pretty Canal de Bourgogne.