Boating holidays in Burgundy & Saône

Towns of Art and History, world famous wines, delicious local produce and unspoilt landscapes – all perfect ingredients for a waterways cruise. Here’s our Burgundy top-3 in the Loire Nivernais area. Le Bec d’Allier, a birdwatcher’s heaven! Near Nevers, make some amazing discoveries at the premier WWF site in France, listed by Natura 2000, with over 200 different birds to watch from your boat! The Collancelle Tunnels, the three ‘ladies of the canal’ Overlooking the Canal du Nivernais are three majestic tunnels in a row: Collancelle, Mouas and Breuil. These vaulted tunnels allow canal boats to pass through unspoiled natural surroundings in a really inspiring style. The châteaux of Ancy-le-Franc and Tanlay, for lovers of the Renaissance Beside the Burgundy Canal are two architectural jewels: one housing the largest collection of wall paintings from the Renaissance and the other boasting a trompe-l’œil art gallery that has made it famous.

There’s no better way to start your boating holiday through the heart of France than in the small commune town of Joigny. Sitting on the banks of the River Yonne, Joigny is the ideal beginning point and one that can take you in either direction of the Burgundy region. As Riverly has a riverside marina base here, barge hire in France is made super simple. Taking a short train journey south from Paris will have you along the River Yonne banks in no time at all. The town of Joigny itself is well worth a look before you begin your Burgundy barge trips. Known as a town of high piety and Catholicism, Joigny has a collection of early medieval churches that hold some of the most awe-inspiring religious iconography, including sculptures, stained glass and painting. With the town of Joigny standing at a crossroads of two waterways, Canal de Bourgogne and Canal du Nivernais, boaters can choose the route that suits them best or even complete a loop of both. With so many channels to choose from, barging in Burgundy is some of the most rewarding water travel you can choose in France.

Taking the left spur from Joigny will take your canal boat hire in Burgundy along the region’s most iconic waterway, the Canal du Bourgogne. Running from the Yonne River junction to the Saône River junction in the south, the canal crosses many points of interest, and boats here have a similar status to a Canal du Midi boat rental. Beginning your Canal de Bourgogne journey at its northernmost point, you and your boat will eventually wind their way to the commune of Tanlay. This unassuming small town commune’s stunning scenery is reason alone to moor here and enjoys this canalside town’s sights. The town is famous for its Château de Tanlay, an impressive chateau that defines the region and is visible from the canalside. Constructed during the 16th and 17th centuries, the chateau’s breathtaking ceiling frescos are worth a stop here alone. Taking your canal boat through Burgundy, winding ever south along the Canal de Bourgogne, you will pass through some of the most iconic stretches of central France. This curving stretch of canal is home to fantastic Burgundy sights such as the Château d’Ancy-le-Franc, another awe-inspiring 16th-century château. You will also set eyes on the Abbaye de Fontenay, set back behind the small town of Marmagne. This immaculately preserved 12th-century monastery is one of the oldest and most complete Cistercian abbeys in all of Europe and rightly holds UNESCO status. Following the Canal de Bourgogne’s route further on will mean you finally arrive at the famous historical capital of Burgundy, Dijon. Known also as a gastronomical centre, food and wine lovers will get so much from a stop here.

As noted above, the city of Nevers is an icon of French medieval township and still home to many of these features that once made it so great. Standing on the raised hill overlooking the Loire River, Nevers itself is a picture-perfect town, looming large over the landscape and providing perfect photographic opportunities. Walking through the narrow winding streets of Nevers, visitors will be instantly taken with its compelling beauty, much of which has remained the same for centuries. One of Nevers’ most popular sights is its cathedral, known in French as Cathédrale Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte de Nevers. Constructed at intervals over the past five hundred years, the cathedral has the unique status of being one of the only cathedrals with two apses. Apart from the cathedral, Nevers is also home to the museum of earthenware. Located in a former Benedictine monastery, there is a huge collection of plates, vases and statuettes for visitors to muse over.

As Riverly has many bases throughout the Loire and Burgundy regions, it can be challenging to pick your ideal place to start. There are plenty of starting points to choose from, from Joigny in the north to Corbigny in the centre and Dompierre-sur-Besbre further south. If you are travelling into France from elsewhere, via a flight, for example, then starting from Joigny is an ideal beginning point. As it only takes two hours to travel from Paris to Joigny, this will mean you can streamline your boating holiday and start right away. If you wish to boat a loop or travel the Burgundy and Loire regions in reverse, then flying into Lyon and travelling northwards to Dompierre-sur-Besbre may be a better option. Knowing which is the right route and starting point will be a completely subjective and personal decision, neither wrong nor right.