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    South of France

    French Canal Cruising-The Burgundy Circuit



    A practical guide to navigating the 500km grand canal circuit of Burgundy, called La Boucle aboard a Locaboat 1020FB. Villages visited include Briare, Montargis, Montereau, Joigny, Corbigny, Decize and Never. Canals travelled include Canal du Briare, Canal du Loing, Canal du Nivernais, Canal latéral à la Loire
    Rivers navigated include The Seine and The Yonne.

    37 Comments

    1. Elke Wheeler on

      This looks exactly like what we want to do! Our only concern is just parking – “mooring?” the boat on the edge of the canal. Am I irrational that I worry anyone could board the boat while we sleep?

    4. Michael Chapman on

      We loved your video and are looking start doing the European canals next year. is any of your planning information or your own resources available? the spreadsheets and catering details look a great idea. The pre planning seams essential. Regards from Lake Macquarie Australia. :o)

    7. Stirfry’s House on

      Wonderful and thorough video. I’m not sure I could handle those tight channel spots. (I once crashed my rental jet ski into my husbands and have been shy ever since). Can you recommend a Locaboat route that has lots to see but is good for beginners? Thank you

    10. Gordon Drennan on

      Came across your video over the weekend. We are planning the loop next year starting from Joigny and can't wait. In your planning spreadsheets what time assumption did you use for passing through a lock? 15 mins? 20 mins?

    11. Anthony Parker on

      never mind saying the english still use manual locks, at least we believe in keeping our heritage and traditions, your not really boating on a canal unless your doing the locks yourself

    12. robert pople on

      Very well made video, commentary and editing – well done! We own a share in a similar boat and once COVID allows hope to be making part of the same trip.

    18. apollo11guy on

      I did almost the exact same trip (altho solo) way back in 1987. I hired a 930 boat from Locaboat in Joigny for 4 weeks and after 3 weeks found myself at St. Mammes with a week left, so I hung a left and took my little boat all the way into Paris for a few days.  When I returned the boat, the Locaboat people at first didn't understand that I had cruised into Paris. Once I made it clear, they said nobody had ever gone to Paris in their boats. (I probably wasn't licensed to do that anyway.)

      I had to chuckle about the spreadsheets; I too did the exact same thing (with Microsoft Multiplan), calculating the min time for cruising and working the locks. Then I printed it out on my dot matrix printer. Back then, there was much less traffic and the lock keepers were pretty lax about tying up in the lock, especially since I was alone. I was able to maintain my position in the lock with just the throttle. I went on to do another 4 week solo trip and then 2 more 4 & 5 weekers with my wife on 1107s. Boats were also much cheaper back then, I figured our boat was essentially the same cost as renting a car and getting hotels.

      I noticed you used the Navicate guides; I still have my highly annotated books and enjoyed following along with your route.

    24. Adrian Morton on

      we are watching this from NZ & loved your video of your trip cruising the canals . We are planning on doing similar later this year and wondering to buy or rent….. It is inspiring to see you guys making most of life during Covid lockdowns 🙂

    25. Marco Grosso on

      Thanks for your video and tips. If you should suggest a canal between "lateral a la Loire" or "Nivernais" , which one would you suggest ?

    30. iloveabersoch on

      Great video, much enjoyed. We have just returned from the Canal Du Midi, Carcassonne to Port Cassiferers, now we've booked again, , Vermenton Nivernais to Tannay. Have you navigated any of this route ?

    32. The442nd on

      So glad I found you guys!!!

      Do you know if a boat that's 65' in length, 14.5' beam, 10.5 bridge clearance and 3.5' draft, can navigate this route?

    33. Mark 1 on

      Loved your video. Very informative. Now that you nearly experienced all the French boat canals which is the most scenic canal and yet close to towns for sightseeing, do you suggest for 4/5 nights of a boat cruising?

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