From Joigny: Canal de Bourgogne & River Yonne boat hire

Draped in the Côte Saint-Jacques vineyards, Joigny is rich in heritage and gastronomy. Located at the crossroads of the Yonne river and the Canal de Bourgogne, it is the ideal starting point for touring the region. If you choose the Canal de Bourgogne, you will cruise your way through an 18th century engineering marvel. Moor up near the Saint Florentin canal bridge and visit the church. The centrepiece of the town, it was listed as an historic monument in 1842. The statuary, sculptures and bas-reliefs have transformed the church into something of a museum for 16th century art; its 24 stained glass windows create an ensemble of lively colours with a rare harmony that blends perfectly with the architecture.

The commune town of Joigny stands at the crossroads of both the River Yonne and the Canal de Bourgogne, making it an ideal place to start your Burgundy adventure. Locaboat’s base at Joigny offers holidaymakers the perfect starting point, both geographically and for the array of help you will find here before setting off. Before you do decide to lift anchor and start, an excursion around the town itself is well worth the time.

The picturesque town of Joigny overlooks the banks of the Yonne River, creating an idyllic setting to an already pastoral-looking town. Walking up to the ancient houses that stand overlooking the town is one of the most appealing activities to do in Joigny.

Some of these half-timbered constructions are adorned with medieval carvings and make for a welcoming sight.

Joigny is also home to a number of chapels and churches; most famous amongst these is the church of Saint-Jean. Known in French as the Église Saint-Jean, this church’s memorable image is its 16th-century carving of Christ and his disciples, something that shouldn’t be overlooked when walking through the town. Other sights include the numerous surviving sections of the town’s medieval ramparts, only adding to the beauty of Joigny.

When leaving Joigny, you will need to decide which route to continue down. Taking the left route will allow you to join the Canal de Bourgogne, whereas taking the right route will allow you to continue south along the Yonne River. Choosing the right route will take you on an idyllic winding trip past some of the most beautiful riverside sights in Burgundy. Passing villages such as Bassou, Chemilly-sur-Yonne, and Appoigny will give a real feel of the Burgundy countryside. These views, mixed with the meandering twists and turns of the river encapsulate the beauty of the area and French canal cruises as a whole. After travelling south for a few miles, you will come to the city of Auxerre, capital of the Yonne department and one of the largest cities in all of Burgundy.

Mooring at Auxerre is a must when travelling along this section of the river, and the city is home to a number of delightful sights that should not be missed. At the pinnacle of these sights is the Auxerre Cathedral, a medieval cathedral that has features spanning many centuries of medieval church design.

Alongside this impressive cathedral, Auxerre is home to a well-preserved historic centre. A mix of timbre buildings, medieval arcaded shop fronts and cobbled streets create an almost magical feel as you walk through the city centre. Walking through the pedestrian section of the city, keep an eye out for one of the city’s most iconic landmarks; its 15th century built clock tower.

Leaving the city of Auxerre, boaters can continue south along the River Yonne, taking their canal boat through the many smaller towns that lie south of the city. The first of these smaller settlements is the commune town of Vermenton, a great place to stop off after travelling a few miles south of Auxerre. Although far smaller than a city, Vermenton has its own unique village charms that are irresistible to any lover of the Burgundy countryside. Following this route further on, similar villages to Vermenton will present themselves, offering even more attractive stop-off points. A bend in the River Yonne will bring you to yet another riverside delight, the commune of Châtel-Censoir.

The idyllic narrowed streets of Châtel-Censoir are welcoming to those who wish to explore this town on foot. Making your way to the higher stretches of the town provide fantastic views of the riverbanks below. A short journey from Châtel-Censoir will take you to one of the most famous landmarks in the area, La Basilique de Vézelay or Vézelay Abbey. Constructed between 1120 and 1150, Vézelay Abbey is a UNESCO protected monument, showing its cultural importance to not only the history of France but that of Europe also. Inside the abbey, visitors will be drawn by its breath-taking nave and other architectural features. Relics of Mary Magdalene are held within the abbey, a fact that only added to the abbey’s fame through the centuries.

Following the River Yonne to some of its southernmost points, you will begin to pass a number of must-see communes, towns and small villages. The first of these is the town of Corbigny, a few miles south of Vézelay Abbey. Corbigny is home to a Locaboat centre and is a great place to begin and end your River Yonne boating holiday. Apart from being close to the River Yonne and the Canal du Nivernais, Corbigny itself has its own fair share of attractions. Saint Léonard Abbaye is what brings many visitors to the town, yet if you visit Corbigny during the summer months, you will be entertained by the classical music festival held at the abbey.

To end your journey on a high, it’s well worth visiting the Etang de Baye or, in English, the Ponds of Vaux and Baye. This idyllic lakeside spot is great, not only for ending a boat trip through the Yonne Valley but a fantastic location in its own right. Those who are partial to a spot of angling will be pleased to know that the Ponds of Vaux and Baye are home to an array of different fish species. If fishing isn’t your thing, simply enjoying the fantastic views that are on offer will be more than enough.

Taking the left fork when leaving Joingy will take you from the River Yonne and onto the Burgundy Canal, one of the best routes for canal boat holidays in this area of France. Setting out from Joigny, your first stop has to be the town of Saint Florentin. Saint Florentin’s natural mooring station makes it an ideal place to stop when in the area, and the town’s attractions offer more to explore when you’re back on dry land. Saint Florentin’s most famous sight is its local church, ideally situated in the centre of the town. Given historical monument status in the mid 19th century, the church is home to an array of 16th-century art, stained glass windows and a number of sculptures and bas-reliefs.

Carrying on from Saint Florentin for a few miles will bring you to a variety of different towns and villages on the canal, the first being the commune of Tonnerre. Tonnerre is home to an array of historical attractions, owing to its long history dating back to Roman times. These include the Fosse Dionne spring and the 9th-century church known as the Église Saint-Pierre.

It is easy enough to spend a whole day exploring what Tonnerre has to offer by means of attractions and historical sights. Being right along the Burgundy canal is an added luxury, enabling you and your fellow holidaymakers to explore and return to the boat to relax.

Following on from Tonnerre, boaters will enter one of the more meandering sections of the canal, complete with a plethora of must-see sights. The first of these is the famous Hôtel-Dieu of Tonnerre. This former medieval hospital is one of the oldest in all of Europe and one of the longest. Constructed in the late 13th century, it has been classified as a national historical monument for over a hundred years and is as impressive as it is old.

Further on from the Hôtel-Dieu of Tonnerre, boaters will come to the small commune town of Tanlay. The exquisite natural beauty of this part of the river makes a visit here worth it for that reason alone.

Heading into the town of Tanlay, you will see the impressive Château de Tanlay, viewable from the canalside. Step inside the Château de Tanlay, and even more surprises await, including a series of impressive ceiling frescos from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Only a little further down the Burgundy Canal is another of the Yonne department’s most stunning chateaus, the Château d’Ancy-le-Franc. This renaissance-style 16th-century chateau is a marvel of architecture and interior design. Ensure you take your time when visiting the Château d’Ancy-le-Franc, as there is so much to see inside, including murals and carvings from over the centuries.

Much like boating down the River Lot or a Loire Valley cruise, the section of the waterway you travel along determines what you see and do during your trip. When you arrive at the halfway point of the Burgundy canal, you are again opened up to a whole new section of the canal and its many settlements. The first of these stops is another of France’s iconic religious sites, the Abbaye de Fontenay. This fantastically well-preserved monastic building is one of the most revered in all of France and, as such, has been granted UNESCO status since the early 1980s.

Originally constructed during the early 12th century, Abbaye de Fontenay is one of the oldest and best-preserved Cistercian abbeys in all of Europe.

The abbey includes a cloister, dormitories, common rooms, churches, and even its own forge. Exploring this World Heritage Sight in all its entirety may take a while, but every second is worth it.

Following the canal route past Abbaye de Fontenay will bring you to another of this region’s most famous historical sights, the Forges de Buffon. Constructed during the 17th century, this forge was the centre of exceptional scientific breakthroughs and production. Standing as a testament to France’s industrial past, the site has been granted historic monument status by the nation for many decades.

Those who are in it for the long hall will pass the centre of the Burgundy canal, and into the southern section of the waterway. The first commune you will come to in the south of the Burgundy Canal is that of Pouilly-en-Auxois. Pouilly-en-Auxois is home to the traditional start of the canal and is made famous by its canal tunnel, which you will undoubtedly navigate through. On dry land, Pouilly-en-Auxois is home to the Halle du Toueur; this museum houses a former tug boat in all its glory. This is ideal for any fan of boating in general or the history of canal boats through France.

In true French countryside fashion, another chateau can be found a few miles from Pouilly-en-Auxois, known as Château de Commarin. This château has been passed down by twenty-six generations of the same family, showing how preserved and cared for the history of this area is. Open to the public half of the year, exploring Château de Commarin is just as rewarding as the many that line the Canal de Bourgogne.

Coming to the most southerly point of the Burgundy Canal, it would be impossible to cruise through this area and not visit the region’s capital, Dijon. Known throughout Europe and the world, the city of Dijon has a reputation for many things. One of the biggest draws to the city is its gastronomical history and appeal. Lovers of all things French gastronomy will find an array of different food experiences in the city and really give you a taste of true French cooking.

Aside from the foodie experiences, Dijon has its fair share of cultural and historical must-see sights in the city. The most popular of these has to be the Ducal Palace, the former home of the Duke of Burgundy and their courts. This perfectly preserved Gothic-style palace is a fine example of 17th and 19th century Royal French architecture and history.