Nivernais & River Yonne

Peaceful canal & river cruises

Boat and canal barges on the Nivernais Canal

The Nivernais canal built from 1783 to 1842, is one of the most beautiful in France. The waterway, linking the Canal Laterale à la Loire and the Canal du Centre with the river Yonne and Saône was initially used to transport wood from the forests of the Morvan to Paris.

Map of the waterways

Canal and river map for Nivernais & River Yonne

Hotel barges

2 hotel barge cruises

Save 20%
L'Art de Vivre barge cruise

L'Art de Vivre

Nivernais Canal & Yonne
8 guests
★★★★
Luciole barge cruise

Luciole

Nivernais Canal & Yonne
12 guests
★★★★

Self-drive boats in the Nivernais & River Yonne region

Nicols

Nicols operate 8 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Save up to 20%
N1000 rental boat

N1000

8 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1370€/week
Save up to 20%
N1100 rental boat

N1100

9 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1470€/week
Save up to 20%
N OCTO rental boat

N OCTO

10 guests
4 adults
4 children
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2458€/week
Save up to 20%
N1350 B rental boat

N1350 B

10 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2414€/week

Locaboat

Locaboat operate 13 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Save up to 25%
P935W rental boat

P935W

5 guests
2 adults
2 children
2 cabins
1 bathroom
★★
From 1099€/week
Save up to 25%
P1500 R rental boat

P1500 R

12 guests
6 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1953€/week
Save up to 25%
P1120R rental boat

P1120R

6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1232€/week
Save up to 25%
P1165 FB rental boat

P1165 FB

7 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
From 1715€/week

France Afloat

France Afloat operate 9 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

20% off
Euro Classic 139 GC rental boat

Euro Classic 139 GC

4 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 2425€/week
20% off
Euro Classic 139 rental boat

Euro Classic 139

6 guests
4 adults
2 children
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2425€/week
20% off
Linssen 40.9 Aft cabin rental boat

Linssen 40.9 Aft cabin

6 guests
4 adults
2 children
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 2887€/week
20% off
Euro Classic 149 rental boat

Euro Classic 149

8 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★
From 3234€/week

France Passion Plaisance

France Passion Plaisance operate 7 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Save up to 40%
Espade Concept Fly rental boat

Espade Concept Fly

9 guests
4 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★
From 1305€/week
Save up to 40%
La Peniche F rental boat

La Peniche F

12 guests
12 adults
6 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
From 2661€/week
Save up to 40%
Tarpon 42 TP rental boat

Tarpon 42 TP

8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
From 1400€/week
Save up to 40%
Tarpon 32 rental boat

Tarpon 32

8 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
From 1572€/week

Le Boat

Le Boat operate 29 different types of self-drive boats in this region.
Here is a random selection.

Save 25%
Horizon 4 rental boat

Horizon 4

9 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
Premium rating
From 2979€/week
Save 25%
Vision 3 rental boat

Vision 3

10 guests
6 adults
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
From 2359€/week
Save 25%
Royal Mystique B rental boat

Royal Mystique B

6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
From 2179€/week
Save 25%
Magnifique rental boat

Magnifique

10 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
From 2119€/week

Nivernais & River Yonne information

Nivernais & River Yonne

Characterised by peaceful waterways, lush meadows, charming villages and beautiful châteaux, the scenery of the Nivernais and Yonne region is exquisite.

The Nivernais Canal, built between 1783 and 1842, is one of the most beautiful in France. Linking the Canal Latéral à la Loire and the Canal du Centre with the river Yonne, it was originally used to transport wood to Paris. A series of 16 locks and three tunnels at La Collancelle make this a unique journey.

The northern reaches of the Canal pass through forests, medieval towns, such as the cathedral town of Auxerre, and delightful sleepy villages such as Cravant, which is seemingly untouched by the 21st century.

The river Yonne flows northwards and is one of the main tributaries of the River Seine. The source of the Yonne is near Chateau Chinon, in the Morvan region on the "Mont Préneley" 738 metres above sea level. Once a busy river and floating logs to supply the wood industries.

The river has a slack water lock system and allows access to the Canal du Nivernais, the Canal du Bourgogne and the River Seine.

Places to visit and things to do whilst you're in the area

Monuments

  • Basilique de Vézelay
  • Château de Bazoches
  • Château de Vaux
  • Château Saint-Fargeau
  • La Cathédrale Saint-Cyr Sainte-Julitte in Nevers
  • The sanctuary of Sainte Bernadette Soubirous de Nevers

Places to go

  • The city of Auxerre
  • The town of Mailly-le-Château
  • Château de Guedelon
  • The vineyards of Chablis
  • The town of Nevers
  • The path at Roches de Basseville
  • Wood floaters demonstration
  • Settons lakes for water sports and relaxing
  • Saut de Gouloux
  • Bibracte archaeological site

Information, history and details of the waterways in this region

The Nivernais Canal   The Yonne