We are planning a 2 week canal boat holiday in the Burgundy region in early May 2009. I would like some advice about which canal would be the most scenic and have the best wineries and history. At the moment I an thinking of a 1 way hire from Joigny to Dompierre-sur-Besbre either down the Nivernais or going the opposit way along the Canal du Loing and the Canal lateral a la Loire. I think I want to stay off rivers as much as posible, having read some of the other forums on this topic. Any ideas or suggestion - I am pretty well set ona Pechinette from Locaboat, they look good. We are early 60s but quiite independent and used to travelling alone.
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Hi there
we are from South Africa and also in our early 60%26#39;s. we are planning the same sort of trip for june 2009. we have been advised to do the Canal Du Nivernais for our first time. From Migennes to Chatel Cenosir ..but can include the towns of Joigny and Clamency if we do 10 days and not a week.. I have just started looking up the reviews.The people that have recommended this trip have been so many times..and love the Burgundy area.
Did you book thro an agent...for us it is quite expensive...but we going to book and go...We also want to do the one way route..and like the Corvette A and B...as well as the Pechinette.
have Fun in your planning
Kind regards Vonnie K
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The preferable route might be the Canal du Nivernais which is, I believe, the default routing as suggested by Locaboat.
This route has about 105 locks which is manageable for a 2 week journey. In either event, you will not have access to much of the Loire as it is, for the most part, not navigable. Its waters are simply too shallow and swift for safe boat travel. Any parts thereof which are included in a authorized route plan (determined by Locaboat and VNF) will be as safe as canal travel. (I say this but I did hang our boat one time on an uncharted sand bar in the middle of the Loire River, very embarrassing.)
This route allows for visiting many towns which make the boating experience rich and all the more interesting. I do recommend you rent at least one bicycle providing quick and easy access to nearby markets. Two bicycles will give you access to restaurants and other points of interest near the canal which may be too far to reach on foot, at least in a timely manner.
Some perspective on recommendations - I urge first time voyageurs to consider the Canal du Midi; its easy to navigate, gives one access to several notable destinations (Carcassonne and the Etang du Thau for example), and is reach in history.
None the less, your chosen route will provide you a fascinating two weeks journey and a lifetime of memories.
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Thanks Sarasto The Canal du Midi did look interesting but we particularly wanted to see Burgundy - we like our wine - and then go to PAris and the Normandy and Somme battlefields. We have a great uncle whose grave is at Villers Bretenux that we would like to visit. We have now committed to Locaboat with a 14 day trip from Joigny to Dom Pierre sur Bresbre and are realy looking forward to the journey
And Vonnie K, we are booking the boat over the internet direct with Locaboat following a lot of internet research. Thye have been easy to deal with and write in good English.
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Hi there lead pilot
just re reading all the travel reviews. How is your planning coming along. You leave shortly so you must be so excited. We too have booked now..and leave on the 12 th June 09..from Migennes to Clamency..just a week and the family thought to keep it short for our first time.
I would love to hear where you have decided to stop for the nights...for your first week of your trip. If not if you let us know how everything went..and any tips and recommendations for us when you get back.
This is so exciting..I have tried to read up as much as possible. My husband in the meantime is reading the Captains manual.
Enjoy your trip.
Kind regards
Vonnie K...south Africa
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Hi Vonnie
We are very excited - we leave home in a week. Like you we have studied the captains handbook, the canal map and any thing else we can find and I%26#39;m learning French. HAve you tried Google Earth? I have looked down on the whole length of the canal we will be travelling and the photos posted give me a very good idea of what is to be seen. We have committed, so far as we can to going from Joigny to Dompierre-sur-Besbre. We will be back home on 1st June so I%26#39;ll try to post an update then with any tips etc
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My husband and I are going May 2nd, Dompierre to Corbigny, last year we went Corbigny to Joigny and it was simply superb!! we too, are using locaboat, used them last time with no complaints at all and yes they are great with responding to emails etc. My only issue right now is planning on how to depart Corbigny on May 9th to get up to Paris, it doesn%26#39;t seem to be easy without a car, so if anyone has any suggestions I would welcome them! additionally anyone planning this type of trip, GO FOR IT, it is terrific!
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%26lt;%26lt;how to depart Corbigny on May 9th to get up to Paris%26gt;%26gt;
There is a train from Corbigny departing at 11h47 and arriving Bercy 15h44. You will need to connect at Clamecy and then a second time at Cravant-Bazarnes to catch the final train to Paris Bercy. Information is here:
www.ter-sncf.com
I am not sure exactly where the Locaboat base is in relation to the train station but if you need a taxi, here is a list:
Corbigny
DE SOUZA*: 03.86.20.08.76
MEHU Gérard: 03.86.20.10.72
PERRET Patrice : 03.86.20.18.46 or 09.65.00.04.07
POMEL Jean-Claude: 03.86.20.03.07
Additionally, Locaboat should have an outline of how to reach Paris from their Corbigny base.
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Sarastro - thank you, thank you. I had missed looking at the %26#39;ter%26#39; section and thus wasn%26#39;t seeing what i needed.......i am now all set, this is a huge relief to me, since my alternative was a taxi to Nevers then a train to Paris. The taxi numbers in Corbigny are most appreciated. Obviously you have been this way of the world, and I am sure you can concur for the others considering these trips, just how truly delightful it is, along with the people, the food, the whole ambiance!! Again, my sincere thanks.......Heather
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Hi Vonnie
Realised I didn%26#39;t mention stopping places. No we havent made any plans for stopping places - we%26#39;ll just motor along and stop where lt looks good. Graham
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Hi Leadpilot
My husband and myself are doing the canal from Migennes to Chatel-Censior for 10 days end of August.
I look forward to hearing what you think and any advise that you might be able to give. We are hiring bikes.
Any advice or tips would be great, we did the Canal du Midi two years ago and it was an experience never to forget.
Penny
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