The vast network of waterways that we know in France, the most extensive in Europe, is the legacy of a long land use policy. Today, it is no longer a question of controlling the environment, but rather, for everyone, of enjoying nature as it is. Sailing along the river and whistling on the banks are a simple pleasure accessible to everyone in the four corners of the hexagon
Voies Navigables de France modernizes, operates and develops 6,700 km of France's 8,500 km of waterways
For more information: WATERWAYS OF FRANCE - VNF. Telephone 03 21 63 63 24 24 24, website or by email [email protected]
N ° 1 - SEINE AND EDGES OF MARNE
There is a cruise on the Seine and we are constantly turning the head to discover the monuments built at the foot of the river. To the right: the city hall, the Louvre, the Grand and Petit Palais… To the left: the Musée d 'Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, the National Assembly… If you prefer more privacy, choose the Saint Martin Canal, the Saint-Denis Canal or the Ourcq Canal. Below Paris, you can rediscover the landscapes dear to the Impressionists towards Giverny. How can we not also think about the Marne edges and the successes of the Guinguans of the last century? From Paris, you can embark on a day-to-day cruise in the heart of the city.
N ° 2 - NORTHERN CHANNELS
The region Hauts-de-France offers a wide variety of routes thanks to its 680 km of canals. You can start your trip to Compiègne in the foruence of Aisne and Oise. Former mariners, now retired, chose the city as home port, then crossed them along the docks. Longueil-Annel, Peronne, the route of Lille via Marquion, Arras and Douai, known for its marsh cemetery and UNESCO-classified belfry, then, in Lens, will mark your maritime promenade. You can also join the Belgian Flanders and the charming Bruges and Ghent by borrowing the Lys cross via Lille.
# 3 - POITEVIN MARSH
Under the vaults of foliage, the walk in the marsh is marked by poetry and authenticity. Wet marshes in the south of both Sèvres are only accessible in a barrel. It's a aquatic labyrinth, a maze of waterways. Leaving with a guide for a few hours is undoubtedly the best way to discover the wealth and history of the marsh. But you can also go alone… Think about filling your picnic basket!
N ° 4 - THE CANAL DU MIDI
The canal du Midi, the southernmost Norwegian zone of the country, has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1996. It forms the canal of the Deux-Mers with the canal of the Two-Seas and connects the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean. On the Mediterranean side, there is the discovery of Occitania in the heart of an exceptional wine region and the assault of mythical cities. From the Carcassonne fork to the Roman Narbonne, the canal du Midi is the one that attracts the greatest number of boaters, especially in August.
N ° 5 - AQUITAINE THE GARONNE
The canal de la Garonne, which forms the canal du Deux- Mers, connects Bordeaux to Toulouse. The opportunity to discover Bordeaux, more than ever since the opening of its Cité du Vin in May 2016. Here, too, we treat ourselves to a raf gastronomy and great raw wines! A bargain to regain forces between the visits of the charming medieval cities of the region, such as Agen or Montauban, and historic sites of renowned. You will also have to stop at Nerac for its Renaissance remains and its calm along the Baise. It's lovely!
N ° 6 - BETWEEN THE CLIFFS OF THE LOT
What a pleasure to explore the Lot at a river that winds between the cliffs of this region with spectacular landscapes! It is also an opportunity to discover the charming millennium city of Cahors. Here the stones and alleys go back to Gallo-Roman and Medieval times and are the occasion for a pleasant day of visit. The surrounding vineyards can also be reached, the medieval village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, or the prehistoric Cech-Merle caves.
N ° 7 - LOIRE AND BRIARE CANAL
N ° 8 - RHÔNE AND CAMARGUE
The sun of Provence, the wild landscapes of Camargue and the gastronomy of the southeast. Over 800 km, the Rhône attracts the greatest number by multiplying facets and attractions. Arles and its arenas, Avignon and cruises in its vineyards or under its famous bridge, Beaucaire and its castle, the medieval city of Roquemaure and its vineyard, will be pleasant steps before arriving in Lyon after Valencia and Tain the Hermitage. From Arles you can also reach Sète by borrowing the Canal du Rhône, via Aigues Mortes and crossing the Mauguio Etang. An ideal cruise to discover the Camargue.
N ° 9 - ALSACE AND ITS CHANNELS
N ° 10 - BURGUNDY AND ITS CANALS
There is something to do because Burgundy has 1 200 km of inland waterways. The boater borrows a large number of locks on these vineyards and piscivorous lands. Here, fresh fish dishes are legion and watered with local wines to fame. What is going on when you get to the table? There are also many tourist attractions, including castles and abbeys. The canals are the stars of the region and attract many tourists with their bucolic surroundings.
