Locaboat’s pick of the most beautiful spots on the French waterways
#1 The Fonserannes Locks If you take your canal boat holidays on the Canal du Midi, less than 4 km from Béziers you’ll find the staircase of nine locks at Fonserannes. This architectural masterpiece stretches for 280 metres with an altitude difference of 21 metres. Photographer’s tip: snap from the bank, at the foot of the lock staircase.#2 The Pont de Gau park Follow the Petit-Rhône towards Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, then take a walk on one of the many discovery trails in the Pont de Gau ornithological park, a magnet for nature-lovers. Photographer’s tip: stop on one of the artificial islands to take a 360° panoramic shot.
#3 The Agen Canal Bridge On the Canal Latéral à la Garonne, overlooking the river from a height of 12 metres, you’ll come face-to-face with the 23 arches of this amazing piece of canal architecture. At 549 metres long, it’s the second-longest French canal bridge, and its stone-block structure makes it one of the most stunning. Photographer’s tip: stay on board to get a good distance shot of its imposing structure.
#4 Saint-Cirq-Lapopie A cruise on the River Lot from our Cahors base is one of our most surprising journeys. It’s full of contrasts and gives you a spectacular view of the hilltop village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. Photographer’s tip: take your shot from the Saint-Cirq-Lapopie river port to snap one of the most impressive views of the cliff.
#5 The Collancelle Tunnels Set off along the Canal du Nivernais during your Burgundy holiday to explore the vaulted tunnels of La Collancelle, Mouas and Breuil. These three tunnels were hewn out of the granite to allow the canal to pass through and they form a succession of amazing vaults. Photographer’s tip: stand on the towpath for a great view of one of the huge tunnel mouths.
#6 Vauban’s citadel town When exploring the Doubs on the Canal du Rhône au Rhin, you can cruise around the citadel along the Doubs loop, or you can be more adventurous and pass through the tunnel below Vauban’s legendary fortification. It’s a 394-metre-long trip with guaranteed excitement! Photographer’s tip: climb to the top to find the perfect angle for your shot.
#7 The Place Stanislas in Nancy Combine some city stopovers with your boating holidays. To the west of Lutzelbourg, if you cruise along the Canal des Houillères de la Sarre, you’ll reach the capital city of Art Nouveau: Nancy, with its famous square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photographer’s tip: grab your shot after nightfall when the gilding is illuminated.
#8 L’île aux Pies A favourite spot for rock-climbers, the Île aux Pies (Magpie Island) is an amazing natural site, one of the jewels of the Nantes-Brest Canal. To the east of Saint-Martin-sur-Oust, you could also hear woodpeckers on this little archipelago or see herons flying overhead. Photographer’s tip: Sit down at the waterside café to capture the unspoiled natural scenery.
