Dreaming of a sunset over the port of Auxerre, Yonne River

Bonjour de Port Chalmers.

Now this year’s season is ending, we are focusing on the many enquiries and bookings for 2027.  Mostly they are for the rental boats and barge cruises exploring the waterways of France and the latest enquiry, for a six week escapade, started me reminiscing on the Burgundy Loop.

For many years it has been my dream to cruise the complete Burgundy Loop, but it has yet to happen.  It is a 570 kms circuit with 213 locks and includes the River Yonne, Canal du Nivernais, Canal Lateral de la Loire, Canal de Briare and Canal du Loing, plus a short 14kms stretch on the River Seine.  Although over the years we have cruised many sections on hotel barges and on rental boats, we have not been over the summit of the Nivernais Canal.  That is possibly its most scenic part and is certainly its most dramatic, including the Sardy staircase of 16 locks, followed by three tunnels. 

The problem is that it needs six weeks, or more, to complete the circuit and none of our friends have been able to commit to that long an adventure.  I did design two back-to-back escorted tours using local guides for on-shore sightseeing and excursions to the vineyards of Chablis, Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire (plus Domaine Pelle in Morogues as I’m a huge fan of their Menetou-Salon pinot noir).  I resurrected that proposal in a 2014 newsletter but the response wasn’t enough to pursue it further. 

In the eighties, when we were between jobs on the barges, we planned to walk the canal tow path up to the summit, but only got as far as Clamecy, before we learnt about some jobs on a barge in Alsace.  We managed a five day leisurely trek accompanied by Teddy, a friend’s german shepherd, and every night the three of us squeezed into a small two-man tent.  It helped that the weather was glorious, making it a very special experience that has become a precious memory.

if you want to create your own precious memory on, or off, the waterways of France please get in touch.

Bien cordialement,

Robert & Barbara