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Burgundy Nivernais

Nivernais Morvan
You'll believe you're in a dream if you choose to cruise on the Nivernais Canal, probably one of the most beautiful canals in France. The Nivernais Canal connects the Loire basin to that of the Seine while travelling through the beautifully preserved Morvan Regional Natural Park. Steeped in history and tradition, this canal, built at the end of the 18th century, will bring to life the story of timber transport from Morvan to Paris.

Val de Loire - South Nivernais
Châtillon en Bazois is located at the edge of the Morvan and the Nivernais . The Nivernais Canal runs through villages, valleys, hills, forests and alongside castles, and it is well worth the trip! At the junction of the canal du Nivernais and the Canal Latéral à la Loire, Decize is the veritable focal point of these waterways. On your way to Nevers and the Sancerre vineyards, feel the romance in the air, taste the local gastronomy and learn the history of this charming area.

Southern Burgundy
Digoin is a central point for canal boating. The town not only lies at the heart of the Charolais region, famous for its white cattle, but it is also at the junction of 3 canals. To the south, the Canal de Roanne à Digoin , also called "the quiet canal", offers you the chance to cruise through the fields of Brionnais along the Loire River. It is the perfect place to stop and moor in the shade of the trees, while admiring the landscape. To the east, the Canal du Centre between the Saône River and the Loire River runs through the Ceramic valley to Paray le Monial , a small town famous for its Roman Art. Then it brings you to the Maranges Vineyards, known as " Côtes Chalonnaises ". To the north-west, the Canal Latéral à la Loire runs through historical towns like Decize and Nevers .

Châtillon en Bazois  
A major tourist attraction of Châtillon en Bazois is the Nivernais canal as it is steeped in the history and tradtion of the timber transport from Morvan to Paris. Châtillion en Bazois , in the centre of the Nivernais countryside, is the ideal place to become one with the environment, or to practice fishing.
Within this pleasant setting, everyone can find something to their taste: various sporting activities, walks, local arts and crafts... Or plunge into the prestigious past of this area, when Veringétorix still resisted Caesar, or even discover the 13th century and the great Dukes of Burgundy...

To see : Ponds of Baye, ecomuseum of Brienne la vieille (collection of farm equipment, old workshops of forging, mills, marechalery, etc).  The town of Nevers.

To taste : Sweetened shortbread with Morvan honey.

To know : Built in the 18th century, this canal was used for a long time for the transport of wooden 'rafts' from Morvan to Paris.

Navigation on the Nivernais Canal :
Situated at the edge of the Morvan National Park, the Nivernais canal serves as a link between the Seine basin and that of the Loire. Traversing a beautifully preserved natural environment, this canal is without doubt one of the most exquiste canals in France. It offers a peaceful navigation favorable to those whom like to take their time and meander along.

From Châtillon en Bazois :

Mini week
Châtillon-en-Bazois - Corbigny - Châtillon-en-Bazois : 62 km - 82 locks - 21 hours
Châtillon-en-Bazois - Decize - Châtillon-en-Bazois : 102 km - 44 locks - 20 hours

One week
Châtillon-en-Bazois - Clamecy - Châtillon-en-Bazois : 126 km - 120 locks - 36 hours
Châtillon-en-Bazois - Nevers - Châtillon-en-Bazois : 176 km - 62 locks - 32 hours
One way Châtillon-en-Bazois - Digoin : 120 km - 40 locks - 25 hours
One way Châtillon-en-Bazois - Coulanges : 59 km - 57 locks - 26 hours

Three weeks
Châtillon-en-Bazois - Auxerre - Châtillon-en-Bazois : 248 km - 190 locks - 82 hours  

From Coulanges-sur-Yonne :

Week-end
Coulanges - Tannay - Coulanges : 28 km - 12 locks - 8 hours

Mini week
Coulanges - Tannay - Corbigny - Coulanges : 56 km - 30 locks - 17 hours

One week
Coulanges - Clamecy- Chatel Censoir- Vermeton- Coulanges : 96 km - 46 locks - 28 hours
Coulanges - Tannay- Baye- Coulanges : 88 km - 44 locks - 26 hours
One way Coulanges - Châtillon-en-Bazois : 59 km - 57 locks - 26 hours

Two weeks
Coulanges - Vermeton - Auxerre - Migennes - Coulanges : 184 km - 80 locks - 52 hours 

Digoin 
Digoin, in the middle of the Charolais country, is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the local produce. Over the centuries Digion has become a center for pottery as well as remaining a city of water. 
Situated on the junction of three channels, it is heaven for those who love fishing or nature. Throughout the various canals you can discover wild spaces, ancient Romanesque art and many craftsmen who are willing to demonstrate their craft for you (basket makers, cabinetmakers, potters or glass blowers). 
Take the time to stroll along the canal bridge which was built from stone. It is a magnificent piece of architecture which connects the central canal to the side canal from the Loire.

To see : The ceramic museum, the canal bridge, museum of the costumes through the ages and the tools of ancient times, the observaloire.

To taste : charolais beef , snails of Burgundy, plate of Canalous (4 fresh water fish), potatoes stuffed with snails of Burgundy.

To know : Digoin is also crossed by 5 rivers: Arroux, Bourbince, Vouzance, Arconce and the Loire.

Most Important : Festival of the Snail (1st week end of August). Take a walk along the broad green lane which borders the central canal for 17km between Digion and Paray Le Monial. It roams through a landscape of copses and meadows.

Navigation on the central canal :
Initially baptized Charolais canal, the central canal is used as link between the Loire and the Saone and 114 km is long. It was used for a long time for the supply of the heavy industries of the area. Equipped with some automated locks, it is a channel pleasant to sail, narrow and winding.

Navigation on the Roanne à Digoin canal:
This channel proposes a very shaded and very calm stay, encouraging many wild moorings. Close by there is the Brionnais circuit of Roman churches to explore. Punctuated by only 10 locks, this canal will take you from Roanne to Digion while passing through the Brionnais pastures where the famous, white, Charloais cattle graze.

Navigation on the side canal of the Loire :
With its three canal bridges, the side canal in the Loire is a peaceful waterway which is punctuated by rare locks. From Digion to Briare you can meander through the Bourbonnais countryside until you reach Sancerre and Pouilly, home of the famour wines.

From Digoin :

Mini week
Digoin - Briennon - Digoin: 88 km - 16 locks - 14 hours

One week
Digoin - Roanne - Digoin - Paray le Monail - Digoin: 134 km - 28 locks - 21 hours
Digoin - Ecuisses - Digoin : 130 km - 62 locks - 27 hours
Digoin - Nevers - Digoin : 198 km - 44 locks - 32 hours
One way Digoin - Châtillon-en-Bazois : 120 km - 40 locks - 25 hours 

Two weeks
Digoin - Louhans - Digoin : 374 km - 132 locks - 69 hours