The abbey of Quincy is also a famous destination worth a visit. Burgundy North ~ Nivernais ~ Upper Loire. Situated at the junction of the Canal du Nivernais and the Canal Latéral à la Loire, and at the confluence of the Rivers Loire and the Aron, Decize is an interesting town to visit, and is full of history. Thank you for your five star review! the only thing bad wad the shortage of water for the canals due to the lack of rain. There are plenty of locks to go through, whether you head north or south, and you are rewarded with amazing views and spectacular countryside. Or head south towards, and then along, the Canal du Nivernais. This has been an incredibly wonderful post. We continued our cruise up the canal that afternoon to Belleville-sur-Loire. Approaching Briare, you will cross the longest canal-bridge of Europe, built with the help of Gustave Eiffel. You need to select a base in order to see the available boats. Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and Discover a town full of history with many beautiful buildings like the Château des Gondi. Rogny-les-sept-ecluses was a strategical point on the map back in the day. The town is postcard perfect, a highlight of your return cruise to and from Decize. Whether it's an entertaining and informative boat tour or a relaxing sunset dinner cruise, these are the best Loire Valley cruises around. You can also visit the famous Poterie Boucard, which makes a range of goods including animal sculptures, pots and more. Elegance. Moorings are plentiful on the Canal du Nivernais, the Yonne River and the Canal Latéral à la Loire. On the outskirts of town, the views along the verdant vineyards are a real treat to see. Discover the town where Jean sans Peur, one of the most important Burgundy Duc, was betrayed by the king. Take time to see the pretty church, Christ-Roi. Thank you for sharing! The first day on the boat it rained, so we travelled only two hours and moored at Fleury-sur-Loire. What a fantastic holiday! Sauntering through the streets of Châtillon-en-Bazois, you point out the historic buildings to your friends. Enjoy the beautiful countryside all around Chatillon-sur-Loire, plus wander downtown and visit the beautiful church that dominates the city. A sleepy village with a scattering of eateries along the canal. Kind regards, If you like wine then Châtillon-sur-Loire is the best place to start your boating … You’ve set off on the scenic Canal latéral à la Loire to see the Roman city of Nevers, a place where you can tour a palace, enjoy a fine meal and simply relax with friends. Once that is overcome the rest of the holiday is plain sailing. When you arrive at Châtel Censoir you'll find a town that bustles on market day and is peaceful in the afternoon, enjoy the Romanesque architecture of the church and discover hidden vantage points with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. You love the scenes and sounds of the Gothic cities of Migennes and Auxerre, and the market in medieval Joigny inspires you to buy local produce and a baguette! The drop of the canal is gentle, easing you along at a leisurely pace. Friendly and efficient staff on site. Whilst we travelled along two canals, most of the week is spent on the Canal … Top Loire Valley Boat Rentals: See reviews and photos of boat rentals in Loire Valley, France on Tripadvisor. Laid-back Decize and market towns like Gannay-sur-Loire lie along the way as you pass through rolling green hills. Take a tour of the Chablis wine district in the Nivernais or the famous Sancerre vineyards of the Loire! The fish bite hard at lovely Digoin, a place so beautiful you’ve decided to linger for a while. Cruise along the Loire Canal, the royal river with a legendary beauty. Will be contact you to let you know, but please bear with us while we work through affected bookings in departure order. A quiet time to travel with cooler weather which was comfortable sitting on the boat all day, and we didn’t have to queue for the locks or struggle for morning spots. This is the centre of this wine-making region. Pretty towns and larger cities like beautiful Montargis beckon. Canal du Nivernais was just as advertised -- beautiful, quiet, serene. More than 180 species of birds call the waters home. Châtillon-sur-Loire RETURN via Sancerre & Nevers. You can bring your luggage on board as early as 11 am but your … Our cruise departed from Montargis and ended in Châtillon-sur-Loire, via Montbouy, Rogney-Sept-les-Écluses, La Gazonne and Briare. Is this your ideal destination? That's why King Henri IV decided to build a huge set of seven locks there to enable maritime trade. While it is necessary to get a short taxi journey to get there, it is well worth the trip. This region of rolling countryside – the Garden and Heart of France – is defined by two rivers. We’d also recommend a visit (23mins from Tannay) to hill-top Vézelay, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. Well done! The Le Boat Team. La Madeleine, a 1-star Michelin-rated eatery in Sens, serves foie gras with blackcurrants. In the park, the orangerie is today a museum dedicated to the famous naturalist, Buffon. 16km southeast of Châtel-Censoir is the hill town of Vézelay. That’s what canal boat vacations in France are all about — good times, great food and memories to last a lifetime! Horizon 1. You could wake up in the early morning on your self-drive boat with a view of a pretty Breton village; moor at a pontoon in the unspoilt natural surroundings of the Canal du Midi; have lunch on the deck of your … Gannay-sur-Loire was an important port of the Loire in days gone by. It worked for two centuries, but has now become a monument to the past that you may admire during your stop in this peaceful village. The Loire Valley reflects a time when western architecture set a new standard of beauty, luxury, and scale. Tannay itself dominates the surrounding landscape with an array of towers that protrude over the rooftops - once a fortified village, only the village gates these days remain. When our itinerary had to change due to low water she communicated this in a timely manner. Set sail on your destination's top-rated boat tours and cruises. Aqueducts – The canal has three fine aqueducts, situated at Digoin (240m, over the Loire), … Even before the canals, the Loire and Nivernais regions had a long history of using the waterways for transport. 23 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 89400 Migennes, Rental of the boat and its onboard equipment, A boat handling demonstration prior to departure, Running costs (diesel, gas, engine wear and tear) - charged by the, Waterside services if you use them (i.e. Wine pairings of finest Loire valley vintages at lunch and dinner; Open bar 24/7 stocked with French champagne, fine wines and spirits; Use of the on-board library and stereo system; All … View all posts by Mary - Explore & Inspire. checking back frequently! Migennes is ideally situated at the head of the Canal de Bourgogne, the Rivers Yonne and Armançon. One or two of our stops had little in the way of food or restaurants, even though the LeBoat guide suggested they did - be aware that smaller villages seem to be in decline...they are pretty, but not well stocked! Meanwhile, the lovely Canal Latéral à la Loire runs 169 kilometres (105 miles) along the bank of the Loire River, taking in the highly prized vineyards of Sancerre as well as the Roman town of Nevers with its mediaeval cathedral. Choose to cruise the Canal Lateral à la Loire … Vision 4. Not far from the port, the St. To help you get an idea of how far you can travel in the time you have, here's a selection of routes to and from our bases in this region. Definitely need a longer holiday next time! Day 4 we woke to fog, but continued along the canal to moor and then cycle the 10 minutes to the small town La-Charite-sur-Loire. Impressive aqueducts and the tunnels of La Collancelle are just two of the striking features that make this waterway landscape an unforgettable holiday destination. Excellent service by the whole team and a fantastic location and area. You indulge, and you’re glad you did! Encompassing the waterways of the Canal du Nivernais, River Yonne and Canal Latéral à la Loire, cruising in these regions offers spectacular views, hilltop vineyards and charming towns and villages. The Yonne River has current, but it is manageable except at times of flooding. Linger in beautiful towns such as Tannay, Chitry-les-Mines and 17th-century Corbigny. See the Cathedral of St. Etienne in Sens and the Basilique du Sacre Coeur in Paray-le-Monial! The Canal du Nivernais is often called France’s prettiest canal. Thruster couldn't be fixed without taking the boat out of the water, so we just proceeded on, and didn't need it anyways! Our second day the sun was out so we stopped at Plagny for a cycle around the small village and a stock up on a few supermarket essentials. It is interesting to see the various churches which are always the centre of these small towns. Good level of useful information and links provided prior to the holiday. This is such a picturesque village and an easy flat bike ride to reach from the canal. Paray-le-Monial is a pretty typical town, where you will enjoy having a walk across the winding streets, to discover the treasures of the village, like the basilica du Sacré-Coeur, or the impressive City Hall. Nevers is one of the biggest cities in the area and it's full of history and sights to see. Find the beautiful hiking paths on the outskirts of the town, especially La terasse, leading you to places with wonderful views over the valley. This is a small mooring with power and water. Sens is one of the biggest towns in the area. Loire Valley Fall in love with the history of the Loire Valley, which has been inhabited since the time of the Neandethrals. Enter Saint-Mammès, a beautiful town surrounded by nature. This article could not be written much better! Completed in 1894, this is the longest canal bridge in Europe with a length of 662 metres. Our closest base to Paris, from Migennes you have a choice of three directions to head in. Your email address will not be published. Although, we are sorry that you were disappointed with the standard of cleanliness of your boat. We booked with the company Le Boat and picked up our huge 43 foot boat, the Royal Mystique, in Decize then cruised for 7 days one way before returning our boat … The woodlands, meadows, and hills put you in the right relaxed mood! Walk along the charming winding streets and discover the old fortified walls and the ruins of the Castle Decize. Before you travel south on your French canal vacations, the chic town of Montargis with its shops and restaurants beckons to the north. Come to this particular town and discover its history, such as the Hotel-Dieu, one of the biggest hospitals in the middle ages that still here. Highlights were Auxerre (only go to the old part of town) and Clemacy. In the heart of Nivernais on the River Yonne, you’re happy you found the best of the region! When you see a château, and there are many, you stop for a visit! The Le Boat Team, Boat all in order and great service from the team at Tannay when we had a couple of questions or needs. See reviews and photos of boat tours & water sports in Loire Valley on Tripadvisor. The wide yet often shallow Loire (with the Loire Lateral Canal alongside) and the winding River Yonne. There are 110 locks on the Canal du Nivernais and 47 locks on the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Locks were great fun to keep you active and get to meet fellow travellers. Particular viticultural highlights include the vineyards of Tannay, the Domaine Bernaert wine cellars in Accolay and the Maison des Sancerre which provides a full breakdown on the 300 vineyards in the area. A remarkable church stands aside a walkway not far from the dungeon where, in the summer, exhibitions and visits are organised. Feefo is an independent and impartial review service that requests reviews directly from those who have been on a Le Boat vacation. It is powered by the plant-lifting of the nineteenth century. The town is quiet, with a shopping street, two churches and a Fine Art Museum featuring local artists. Along the way you'll enjoy the picturesque streets of Clamecy, with its half-timbered houses and Gothic church. For a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape, climb the staircase that starts from behind the church and leads to the village heights. A very nice section of river and canal, with interesting towns and villages en-route. Beautiful scenery and charming towns and villages abound. Built between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Canal du Nivernais and the Canal latéral à la Loire helped to turn the waterways into a more predictable and manageable asset. You will explore unique places such as Nevers located in the heart of Burgundy, but also the Fontmorigny Abbey, recounting 8 centuries of monastic history. A magnificent medieval fortress is the pride of this small village, though you can only admire it from the outside. There are a number of bases in the Loire Valley so there are plenty of options for... Châtillon-sur-Loire. Le Boat Caprice. A fun holiday, and one we just finished ourselves, is hiring a canal boat and touring one of France’s many scenic canals. have a very good read. Pass under stately bridges and marvel at the rolling green countryside. There are organised wine tours in the area if you wish to venture further than the area adjacent to the canal. Impressionist,Alfred Sisley, found this place ideal for changing colours and variations of light and many painters have since been attracted here. Have a walk downtown into the winding streets to discover the old wash basin that people used here decades ago. If you book a two-week cruise from Decize, you will have time to take your boat to Roanne. Let yourself meander through beautiful valleys, take the bikes for a spin and enjoy some of the world-class wines these regions are famous for. The Le Boat Team, A new boat much easier to navigate and well equipped and maintained the itinerary was well planned and the boat was well equipped and maintained. Here, you will walk with pleasure into the green public spaces, or along the flower-lined streets. In Joigny, you'll find La Côte St. Jacques (2 stars from Michelin) with a superb view over the River Yonne. The boat was great, had everything we needed and made for such a relaxing experience. The Château de Chatillon, one of the oldest belonging to the Count of Nevers, dates from the 12th century and must have been an impressive fortress. 1 866 498 3920 Contact Discover wine and gastronomic cities such as Pouilly-sur-Loire … The village is located on the edge of the Loire river. Welcome to this peaceful and inviting village. Follow the Canal Latéral Loire from Decize to Sancerre. He continually kept preaching about this. Lovely vacation. Originally the Yonne River was known as the "Wine Route". There are lovely bike rides and walks around the two picturesque canals and plenty of restaurants to choose from. The “Point Sisley” allows you to discover some of the artist’s works. Check with your network provider, Copyright © 2021 Le Boat. Bicycling, trekking and fishing are all popular pursuits on canal boat vacations in France. You spend time exploring the Gothic cathedral city of Migennes, and then you travel slowly north, passing small villages with picturesque waterfronts. With a rich past, Sens is very pleasant to visit, especially the downtown area which boasts old timbered houses and winding streets. The boats go slowly, so there is plenty of time to react when steering. Pretty! The church Saint-Etienne-de-Briare, built in the byzantine style, is a treat to visit and take time to walk along the old canal; the verdant banks are just gorgeous. See first comment. We finished our cruise on day 7 in Chatillion-Sur-Loire, another small picturesque village on a hill. You can also walk to the priory, which offers a superb view of the old town. Horizon 2S. Horizon 4. Take time to see the church St André , fortified in the 13th century, and ancient postal stage, the barrage and the fish ladder. relaxing and peaceful trip with some nice covid19 aware restaurants to visit, Dear Ian, Learn how your comment data is processed. You have a wide choice of cruise itineraries to select from and tons to … The Yonne is sometimes muddy, which obscures shoals. Designed by Léonce-Abel Mazoyer and Gustave Eiffel, the canal bridge is a monument to himself. We hope you find this useful for planning your own canal holiday in France. Embark on a cruise along the Canal latéral à la Loire to discover the treasures of the Loire, known as the royal river. Le Boat staff got us on our way quickly and efficiently. Visit Renaissance gardens at Villandry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, travel to Leonardo da Vinci’s residence and sip on the world famous wines of Loire … This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A good place to have a drink on a terrace overlooking the canal. Above the roofs you’ll notice the 16th century church with its bell tower. La-Charité-su-Loire is a wonderful city with many ancient buildings. We booked with the company Le Boat and picked up our huge 43 foot boat, the Royal Mystique, in Decize then cruised for 7 days one way before returning our boat to Chatillion-sur-Loire. The boat when we recived it was dirty on the outside and all the drains were blocked with leaves and other trash. the area was great. We've produced a handy PDF guide for this region to give you an overview of all the stops and things to do along the waterway. To summarise our week, our canal cruise was a perfect mixture of adventure and relaxation with some beautiful French countryside to enjoy along the way. 6km northeast of the city, don’t miss Fontenay Abbey, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Loire canal boat holidays offer spectacular views, hilltop vineyards and charming towns and villages making it the perfect destination for a boating holiday. Loire Valley Boating Holidays. Montereau-Fault-Yonne is a town rich in history. The next day we rode (and walked some) up the hill to visit Sancerre. Explore the castles and châteaux, and enjoy fine wines at vineyards. Although smal, it is attractively laid out with squares and avenues. We are so glad to know you loved your destination and our Horizon model boats! Loire, Region Enjoy fine wines by renting a boat on the Canal Lateral à la Loire. Day 6 we set off for Briare and travelled across the magnificent Le Pont Canal which was engineered in part by the famous Mr Gustave Eiffel. We felt that the briefing at Decize was a little too brief and that there was no explanation of safety features on the boat..eg how to use fire extinguishers. The Place Lamartine is also a nice place to see. Very well organised, friendly and efficient administrative procedures pre and post booking. Corvette B. Founded in 1118, the beautiful abbey is one of the oldest Cistercian monasteries in Europe and is one of Burgundy’s key attractions. Canal Boat Cruise to the Loire - BD1151 Paris - Briare - Paris Canal Boat Cruise to the Loire from Nevers to Briare, this cruise will take you to the heart of authentic terroirs and cities full of character and heritage. The Canal du Nivernais is very easy to navigate and has no barge traffic. 2021 season for this regionThe 2021 season starts on April 1 and ends on October 24, 2021. On this week -long holiday you will enjoy a cultural and historical visit to Nevers, cross the vineyards of Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire… That night we moored at Le Guetin after passing through the dramatic Pont-canal which spans the Loire River and changes about 10 metres in height over 2 locks. Take a look at our waterway and lock closures page to find out if there are any scheduled cruising restrictions that will affect your vacation plans. The vineyards of the famous Chablis wine region invite you to sample fine wines, and you do! We pride ourselves on delivering excellent customer service and we are delighted to hear that you experienced this with our Sales Team and a warm welcome in Tannay. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000, the Loire … We were very happy with the service. Below you can read what our past customers think about their Le Boat experience, and trust that what you read is unfiltered, unedited and uncensored. Check out our list of must-do water activities in Loire Valley. River cruises in France all differ. All locks closed on: 1st May, 14th July & 1st November. Clamecy, is stunningly pretty and just 4hrs north the large lake at Baye, (11.5hrs south) is bursting with wildlife and great for a refreshing dip in the waters. It's a quiet and pretty place to moor. 10 days from $5,990. Enter Chicago-based Stephanie Sack, a self-described “barge cruise matchmaker,” who found her calling pairing would-be cruisers with the right canal… This wonderfull cruise will drive you to the heart of Auxerre, a charming medieval town with its wood walled houses and its famous Cathedral Saint Etienne. Continentale. You can’t resist stopping in Sancerre to see Maison des Sancerre and learn how the world’s finest wines are produced! Along the way, you sightsee ashore on flat towpaths ideal for cycling. As you float aboard the luxury barge Meanderer, you will enjoy scenic views of the Upper Loire valley. The Sancerre wine region in the Loire Valley is famous for its beauty and fine wines — Sancerre, Vouvray and Muscadet, to name three. It was our eldest daughter Grace’s 11th birthday so we celebrated at a cute local restaurant. The Cathedral, with its galleries underground, is also interesting. We were sleeping well on the boat so woke fresh on day 3, another beautiful day, and rode our bikes about 12 kilometres round trip to a beautiful medieval village called Appremont. Mystique. You’re looking forward to a tour of Chablis vineyards and wine tasting, but bustling Auxerre tempts you too! Lock Closure dates: Please be aware about the lock closure dates by local authorities. Grey herons, kingfishers, wagtails and kites are amongst them. When approaching pretty Tannay, known for its vineyards and wine cellars, you anticipate the pleasure of opening a bottle of Muscadet, or perhaps a Pouilly-Fumé? The region’s 300+ chateaux served as elegant abodes for French royalty and aristocrats before … As you ply the tree-lined canals … Experience Europe’s longest aqueduct near Briare, a true wonder of engineering and a highlight of your cruise in the Loire Valley! I will send this information to him. You can try fishing in the river, or if you prefer a bike ride, there are several good cycle paths to explore. Tannay is a pretty little village that has existed for centuries. Looking at this article reminds me of my previous roommate! Leaving the shops and cafés of Châtillon-sur-Loire behind, you begin … The Valley … Le Boat made this easy to do and they provided extra service for us at both the beginning and end of our trip. Châtillon-sur-Loire is a great choice for wine lovers, with the vineyards of Sancerre just 6hrs to the south – be sure to take a wine tasting tour – and historic Nevers is a further 11 cruising hours after that. If we can be of any further help at all, please feel free to contact our team at. A big reason you chose canal boat vacations in France was the fine wine, an indulgence of a mighty passion of yours! There are also a number of walking paths on the edge of town. Nemours offers several buildings of interest, including the bridge which was built in 1804 and inaugurated by Pope Pius VII en-route to crown the emperor Napoleon. Kate in the Australian office was very helpful. Cheers! For a comfortable pace, allowing you time to regularly stop and explore, we'd recommend an average of 2 - 4 hours cruising each day. Service was great right from the booking process over the phone to collection of the boat in Tannay. At the Tourist Office, you’ll find an exhibition about ancient porcelain. The Val de Loire is situated at the very heart of France and is renowned for its superb gastronomy. Please select a start date and duration above! The very pretty Nivernais Canal connects north-south between the two; and the Loing and Briare Canals connect the Loire … The following is only an example, you can explore this area in whichever order you want, so long as your boat is back at the end base at the end of your vacation. Heading south on the Canal de Roanne à Digoin takes you to the picturesque town of Roanne, which is well known for its plethora of first-class restaurants! It's a perfect place for a peaceful walk. this blog before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. 1-800-734-5491, Mon to Fri: 8:30am - 5:30pm ET / Closed: Weekends, Le Boat is a trading name of Crown Travel Limited, Crown Travel Limited Registered in EnglandNo 02095375. 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