Burgundy Canal

History, vineyards and cuisine

The Burgundy Canal

Famed for its history, wines and traditional cuisine, this is one of France's most visited canals.

Map of the canals and rivers

Canal and river map for  Burgundy Canal

Hotel barges

7 hotel barge cruises

Grand Cru barge cruise

Grand Cru

Near Dijon
8 guests
★★★★★★
Last dates!
Save 20%
L'Impressionniste barge cruise

L'Impressionniste

Burgundy Canal
12 guests
★★★★★
Last dates!
Save up to 20%
La Belle Epoque barge cruise

La Belle Epoque

Save up to 20%
12 guests
★★★★★
Magnolia barge cruise

Magnolia

Burgundy Canal
6 guests
★★★★
Prosperite barge cruise

Prosperite

Burgundy Canal
8 guests
★★★★★★
Last dates!
Rendez-Vous barge cruise

Rendez-Vous

Burgundy Canal
4 guests
★★★★★
20% off
Savoir Vivre barge cruise

Savoir Vivre

Burgundy Canal
8 guests
★★★★

Half-board barges

Magnolia barge cruise

Magnolia

Burgundy
6 guests
★★★★★

Self-drive boats in this region

Locaboat

Locaboat have 13 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

Europa 400 self-drive
4 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Linssen 34.9  GS self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
P1020 FB self-drive
5 guests
4 adults, 1 child
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
P1107W self-drive
7 guests
3 cabins
1 bathroom
★★
P1120R self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
P1165 FB self-drive
7 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
P1180 FB self-drive
7 guests
6 adults, 1 child
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
P1260R self-drive
10 guests
5 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
P1400 FB self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
P1500 FB self-drive
12 guests
8 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★
P1500 R self-drive
12 guests
6 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
P935W self-drive
5 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
1 bathroom
★★
Penichette Evolution self-drive
4 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★★

Nicols

Nicols have 15 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

N DUO self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, child
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★★
N OCTO self-drive
10 guests
4 adults, 4 children
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N OCTO Fly C self-drive
10 guests
4 adults, 4 children
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★★★
N PRIMO self-drive
4 guests
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★
N QUATTRO B self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N QUATTRO B + self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N QUATTRO FLY C self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★★
N QUATTRO S self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★★
N SIXTO FLY C self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★★
N1000 self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1010 self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1100 self-drive
9 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
N1160N self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1310 self-drive
12 guests
5 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1350 B self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★

Le Boat

Le Boat have 24 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

7 nights for 5!
Calypso self-drive
8 guests
4 adults, 4 children
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
7 nights for 5!
Caprice self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Clipper self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Continentale self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget rating
Corvette A self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
Countess self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
7 nights for 5!
Crusader self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget rating
Elegance self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Grand Classique self-drive
12 guests
6 adults, 4 children
5 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Horizon 1 self-drive
5 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Premium rating
Horizon 2S self-drive
5 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Premium rating
Horizon 3 self-drive
7 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
Horizon 4 self-drive
9 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
Premium rating
Horizon 5 self-drive
12 guests
5 cabins
5 bathrooms
Premium rating
Magnifique self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Mystique self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
Royal Classique self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Royal Mystique A self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
Royal Mystique B self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
7 nights for 5!
Salsa A self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Sheba self-drive
5 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
rating
Tango self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Comfort rating
Vision 3 self-drive
10 guests
6 adults, child
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
Vision 4 self-drive
9 guests
8 adults, child
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
Premium rating

France Afloat

France Afloat have 9 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

Euro Classic 129 self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Euro Classic 139 self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
Euro Classic 139 GC self-drive
4 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
Euro Classic 149 self-drive
8 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★
Linssen 29.9 Aft cabin self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Linssen 32 Aft Cabin self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
Linssen 33.9 Aft cabin self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Linssen 34.9 Aft cabin self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Linssen 40.9 Aft cabin self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★

Burgundy Canal 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 towards 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 the 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, 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 Mersault
  • Château Sully
  • Château Tanlay
  • Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
  • Forges de Buffon
  • Fosse Dionne
  • Vézelay Abbey

Towns and villages to explore

  • 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
  • Mersault, the wines and chateau
  • Pommard, the wines and chateau
  • Volnay

Technical and construction information for the Burgundy Canal