The navigable canal system of France
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List of the main canals in France, providing excellent cruising opportunities.
Click on the canal name for more details, techincal and navigation restrictions. You will also find useful links and information about the surroundings.
| Burgundy canal | Canal de Bourgogne |
The canal provides North to South access through France. Via the Seine and Rhone. Very picturesque and agreeable to cruise. Upto recently the canal was poorly financed and has suffered. With new state grants, comprehensive renovation work has began. |
| Canal Roanne to Digion | Canal de Roanne à Digion |
Opened in 1838, with the locks resized in 1905, there used to be much commercial traffic on the canal which dwindled in the 1970s. |
| Central canal (Loire) | Canal du Centre |
The canals Loing, Briard, Lateral to the Loire and Centre connect the river Seine to the Saône and combine to make what is know as the Canal du Centre. |
| Midi canal | Canal du Midi |
Classed as a wonder of the world by UNESCO in 1996, built in the 17th century by Pierre-Paul Riquet. Very little has changed with regards to the lock design and function. Connecting the Altlantic to the Mediterranean and following the Pyrenees mountains. The navigation is divided into three sections; the Canal du Midi (70 locks); the Lateral canal to the Garonne (53 locks) and the Garonne (2 locks). |
| Nivernais canal | Canal du Nivernais |
Beginning on the river yonne near Auxerre this very charming canal crosses the country side, joining the Seine to the Loire river. |