FRENCH BOATING GUIDE 2017


The Canal du Midi offers some of the prettiest waterside scenery in France


Routes revisited


A closer look at the key waterways and coastlines of France, from the luscious course of the Canal du Midi to the jewel-like Côte d’Azur


Canal du Midi A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is the world’s oldest long-distance canal, dating to 1681 and stretching for 240km. It travels from the Mediterranean to Toulouse, offering a wealth of natural beauty as it winds through columns of trees and past fi elds of fl owers. It’s part of the Canal des Deux Mers, connecting the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean.


Canal de Garonne


The second part of the Canal des Deux Mers route, this waterway leads from Toulouse to the Gironde, comprising four navigable branches.


Canal du Rhône au Rhin As its name suggests, this canal fuses the Rhône and Rhine rivers, covering sections of the River Doubs.


152 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Feb/Mar 2017


Canal de la Marne au Rhin This stretch of water was originally formed to link Paris and the rest of northern France with Alsace and Germany. It passes many beautiful places of interest, including the


Lutzelbourg Castle ruin and the charming town of Saverne.


Canal entre Champagne et Bourgogne


Previously known as the Canal de la Marne à la Saône, this waterway travels from the river Marne in Vitry-le-François to Maxilly-sur-Saône, Côte-d’Or.


Canal des Ardennes


This canal links the Aisne and the Meuse valleys in the Ardennes, northeastern France, and was built between 1827 and 1831.


Canal de la Loire Built to join the Canal de Briare


to the Canal du Centre, following the valley of the Loire.


Canal du Centre


Opened to navigation in the early 1970s, this canal was one of the fi rst watershed links to be built in central France, making it possible for boat traffi c to journey from the north to the south. It links Digion (Loire) to Chalon-sur-Saône (Burgundy) via 61 locks.


Canal de Bourgogne Constructed between 1775 and 1832, it connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea via the Seine and Yonne, the Saône and Rhône, with 189 locks in between.


Canal de Briare Originally, this lock’s primary use was for the transportation of wine on river barges. It links


Briare (Loire) to Buges, where the canal connects with two smaller waterways: the Canal d’Orléans and Canal du Loing.


The French Riviera


Known locally as the Côte d’Azur, this coastline belongs to the Mediterranean Sea and embraces the southeast corner of France. The resort is known for its glamour, having been visited by such famous fi gures as Queen Victoria, Picasso and Matisse, among others. It offers beautiful beaches and sparkling blue water and is a popular destination for yachting and sailing activities.


Corsica


Nestled between France and Italy, this island belongs to the former whilst strongly retaining the culture of the latter. It’s formed of craggy cliffs, steeped towns and white sandy bays. FT


IMAGE © TOURIST OFFICE OF THE CANAL DU MIDI TO SAINT-CHINIAN


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