Central Canal

The Central Burgundy Canal, or Canal du Centre, links the River Saône to the Canal Lateral à la Loire, then the Canal de Briare, the Canal de Loing and eventually the River Seine. It also connects to the Canal du Nivernais.

Opened in 1792, it enabled boat traffic to travel from the north of France to the south and opened Paris to the Mediterranean Sea for the first time.

Cruise this idyllic and peaceful waterway past vineyards and pastures dotted with white Charolais cattle, the hallmark of Burgundy.

What to do and what to see whilst you're in the region

Places to visit

• Whilst in Chalon-sur-Saône
  • Cathedral Saint-Vincent in Chalon-sur-Saône
  • Tour du Doyenné
  • Museum Nicéphore-Niépce
  • The market square and streets of Saint-Vincent quarter
  • The isle of Saint-Laurent
• Château de la Rochepot near Chagny
• Mont de Sène near Nolay
• The vineyards of Santennay, Montrachet and Meursault
• The vineyards of the "la côte chalonnaise" with Rully and Mercurey
• Château de Couches near Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune
• Museum de la Mine at Blanzy
• Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paray-le-Monial
• Townhall of Paray-le-Monial
• The Pont-canal of Digoin
• Apremont-sur-Allier
• Triptyques in the curch of Ternant
• Double lock and canal bridge at Gétin
• Cathedrale Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte in Nevers
• The Palace of the Dukes in Nevers

Restaurants to experience

• Troisgros at Ouches near Roanne *** Michelin
• Maison Lameloise at Chagny *** Michelin
• Pierre et Jean at Chagny
• Ed.Em (Édouard et Émilie) at Chassagne-Montrachet * Michelin
• L'Empreinte at Buxy * Michelin
• Jérôme Brochot à Montceau-les-Mines
• L'Aposttrophe at Paray-Le-Monial
• Frédéric Doucet and the Le Bistrot du Quai at Charolles
• Auberge de Vigny near Digoin
• Auberge du Pont Canal at Guétin