Linking the Yonne to the Saone, the Canal de Bourgogne, started in 1775 and finished in 1834, takes you by ways sometimes secret, sometimes spectacular, to the heart of the Renaissance. At that period the Duchy of Burgundy vied in magnificence with the Kingdom of France. Here, with ancient poplar trees, their leaves shimmering and atremble, and buildings ranging from abbeys to fortified farmhouses, the works of man and nature celebrate their triumphant union. Tie up close to the superb aqueduct at St Florentin and climb up to its church to admire the magnificent stained glass. At Tonnerre the Fosse Dionne pool surrounded by ancient houses, still provides a water supply to the town. Magnificent and splendidly-furnished Renaissance chateaux such as Tanlay and Ancy-le-Franc punctuate your cruise. The marvellous high-vaulted Abbey of Fontenay, tucked away in a secluded valley, is a short bike ride away. Near Venarey-les-Laumes at the village of Alise-Sainte-Reine you'll want to visit the site of the Gaulish fortress of Alesia where Vercingetorix surrendered to Caesar after a two month siege.

Originally conceived by Henri IV, the Canal du Nivernais was finally built between 1783 and 1842, and boasts some of the most glorious scenery on the French waterways. Connecting the Seine to the Loire, the two sides of the summit are very different. From Corbigny south to Decize on its hill between two arms of the Loire, its old centre still ringed with walls, the descent to the Loire winds through rich meadows grazed by the famous white Nivernais cattle. The three successive tunnels at La Colancelle lead to a set of 16 closely spaced locks in a rural setting. The Etang de Baye with its watersports centre lies right alongside the canal, while the lofty silhouette of the Chateau of Chatillon-en-Bazois soon looms into view. From Corbigny north to Auxerre and its churches dominating the waterfront, the descent towards the Seine follows the valley of the Yonne, and sometimes uses its bed, through woods and forests small and large. The prosperous little wine-producing village of Tannay boasts panoramic views over the Morvan hills, while nearby are the picturesque town of Chatel-Censoir and the marvels of Vezelay.

Dompierre
Canal lateral a la Loire, Canal du Nivernais, from Centre Canal de Roanne to Dijon.

Dompierre is a gateway to manifold discoveries, all little more than a stone's throw from the River Loire. Its banks are dotted with chateaux, abbeys and medieval villages. The magnificent Digoin aqueduct takes you on to the Canal du Centre, built in the 18th century to link Roanne to Chalon-sur-Saone. The Canal de Roanne à Digoin leads to Roanne, a synonym for gastronomy all over France, but famous too for china and faience. At Decize the lateral canal meets the Loire, and river bathing is a treat. Salmon and shad swim up here from the distant sea to spawn. Take the Canal du Nivernais and cruise through ravishing countryside to the secret heart of the Morvan, or visit Nevers, steeped in history. Crossing high above the Allier on the Guetin aqueduct, you’ll enjoy magnificent vistas across many famous vineyards to pretty villages such as Sancerre and St-Satur.

Saint-Leger-sur-Dheune/Loisy
Canal du Centre, la Saône, la Seille.

The base at St-Léger-sur-Dheune is ideally placed : cruising the Canal du Centre you pass through some of the most renowned vineyards of the Côte Chalonnaise. Along the twisting valley of the Dheune sparkle the varnished tile roofs of charming villages. At the foot of the Côte Chalonnaise are world-famous wine producing villages: Mercurey, Santenay with its 13th century church of St-Jean-de-Naroise standing amid the vines, Montrachet, synonymous with fine whites, and Rully with its 12th century castle. Further south, the Saône and the Seille offer a voyage of discovery and many possibilities for swimming. Your route through this landscape of ponds and pastures leads to Louhans, classed “the prettiest detour in France” and “outstanding site for taste” for its famous poultry of the Bresse.

Scey-sur-Saone
Petite Saône, Canal des Vosges, Canal du Rhône au Rhin (Doubs).

The Saone is one of France's most attractive rivers, with few locks, rural scenery and many possibilities for swimming. On the forest floor too, the earth brings forth a generous offering of mushrooms. The well-preserved villages in the Mâconnais and the Dôle region are a constant delight. Climbing north on the Canal des Vosges through the forests of the Vosges you glide through an amphitheatre of ash, silver birch and other trees. The towns of Fontenoy-le-Château and Epinal reveal their many charms. From Dole to Besançon the Canal du Rhône au Rhin follows the course of the River Doubs past rocky cliffs and between wooded slopes. To arrive in Besançon is truly dramatic. A tunnel 394m long allows you to pass right underneath the great fortress built by Vauban in the 17th century and to make a complete circuit of the city by water.

Bases in the region:

Joigny

Corbigny

Loisy

Dompierre sur Besbre

St Leger sur Dheune

Scey sur Saone