Burgundy Canal

History, vineyards and cuisine

Le Canal de Bourgogne

The canal cuts through the historic region of Burgundy, connecting two major rivers and allowing navigation from the north to the south of France. Burgundy is famed for its history, wines and traditional cuisine.

Luxury hotel barges

7 hotel barge cruises

Grand Cru barge cruise

Grand Cru

Near Dijon
8 guests
★★★★★★
2026 offer!
L'Impressionniste barge cruise

L'Impressionniste

Burgundy Canal
12 guests
★★★★★
2026 offer!
La Belle Epoque barge cruise

La Belle Epoque

12 guests
★★★★★
Prosperite barge cruise

Prosperite

Burgundy Canal
8 guests
★★★★★★
Rendez-Vous barge cruise

Rendez-Vous

Burgundy Canal
4 guests
★★★★★
Saroche barge cruise

Saroche

Champagne
6 guests
★★★★★★
Savoir Vivre barge cruise

Savoir Vivre

Burgundy Canal
8 guests
★★★★

Self-drive boats in the Burgundy Canal region

Nicols

Nicols operate 11 different types of self-drive rental boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Last-minutes available
Last-minute
N1310 rental boat

N1310

12 guests maximum
5 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
& 4 children
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1995€/week
Last-minute
N1350 B rental boat

N1350 B

10 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 8 adults
4 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2534€/week
Last-minute
N QUATTRO S rental boat

N QUATTRO S

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 2 adults
& 2 children
1 bathroom
★★★★
From 2059€/week
Last-minute
N QUATTRO B + rental boat

N QUATTRO B +

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2059€/week

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

Locaboat

Locaboat operate 14 different types of self-drive rental boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Last-minutes available
Last minute
Pénichette Panoramic P.1020FB rental boat

Pénichette Panoramic P.1020FB

5 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 1 child
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1386€/week
Last minute
Pénichette Classic P.1107W rental boat

Pénichette Classic P.1107W

7 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 1 child
1 bathroom
★★
From 1246€/week
Last minute
Linssen 34.9 GS rental boat

Linssen 34.9 GS

6 guests maximum
2 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 2 children
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1960€/week
Last minute
Pénichette Panoramic P.1400FB rental boat

Pénichette Panoramic P.1400FB

10 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
& 2 children
3 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2002€/week

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

Le Boat

Le Boat operate 25 different types of self-drive rental boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Last-minutes available
Save up to 50%!
Horizon 3 rental boat

Horizon 3

7 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 6 adults
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
From 2139€/week
Save up to 50%!
Salsa A rental boat

Salsa A

10 guests maximum
4 cabins
Ideal for 8 adults
& 2 children
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
From 2059€/week
Save up to 50%!
Cirrus A rental boat

Cirrus A

4 guests maximum
1 cabin
Ideal for 2 adults
& 2 children
1 bathroom
Value rating
From 1079€/week
Save up to 50%!
Continentale rental boat

Continentale

6 guests maximum
3 cabins
Ideal for 4 adults
& 2 children
3 bathrooms
Value rating
From 1599€/week

The price shown is based on a 7-day cruise and indicates the lowest starting price, and excluding any special offer or discount.

Burgundy Canal cruise and boating information

Burgundy Canal

Plans for a canal to link the rivers Yonne and Saone were initially drawn up in the 17th century. The resulting Burgundy Canal was finally opened on December 14th 1808. Still, it was not until the end of the 19th century that the canal, as we know it today, was finally completed.

Bordering the canal, you will witness a multitude of sites and monuments, including the Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay, and the imposing châteaux of Bussy, Tanlay, and Ancy le Franc. There are miles of towpaths which you can walk or cycle, and you can explore the tiny villages and towns which border the canal.

The regional capital, Dijon, as well as the town of Montbard, is simple to travel to with impressive high-speed train services (TGV) to and from Paris and other destinations.

In the north of Burgundy, you'll have the magnificent vineyards of Chablis with their Chardonnay whites and the Irancy red wines. In the south of Burgundy, there are the UNESCO "Climats" of the Cote de Nuit, and the Cote de Beaune ready to explore and appreciate.

The Burgundy Canal is a tranquil destination, with the north and south sloping parts of the canal having their character, the canal is well worth cruising and visiting more than once.

More information about the Burgundy Canal

The canal connects to the River Yonne and the River Saône.

Must places to visit whilst you're here

  • Abbaye de Cîteaux
  • Abbaye de Fontenay
  • Abbaye de La Bussière
  • Château Ancy-le-Franc
  • Château Bussy-Rabutin
  • Château du Clos de Vougeot
  • Château de La Rochepot
  • Chateau de Meursault
  • Château Sully
  • Château Tanlay
  • Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
  • Forges de Buffon
  • Fosse Dionne
  • Vézelay Abbey

Towns and villages to explore

  • Arnay-le-Duc
  • Chablis
  • Flavigny-sur-Ozerain
  • Noyers-sur-Serin
  • Nuits-Saint-Georges
  • Semur-en-Auxois

Other Places

  • The source of the River Seine
  • Époisses and the cheese

Whilst in Dijon

Whilst near Beaune

  • Les Hospices de Beaune
  • Marché aux Vins
  • The market hall
  • The old Ducal Palace
  • Château Savigny les Beaunes
  • Meursault, the wines and the chateau
  • Pommard, the wines and the chateau
  • Volnay

Map of the waterways

Canal and river map for Burgundy Canal

Information, history and details of the waterways in this region

The Burgundy Canal   The Saône   The Yonne