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 canals and rivers

Canal and river map for  Nivernais & River Yonne

Hotel barges

2 hotel barge cruises

Save up to 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 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 8 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
★★★★
N1000 self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1100 self-drive
9 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
N1160 self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1170 self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1350 B self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★
N800 self-drive
3 guests
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★

France Passion Plaisance

France Passion Plaisance have 7 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

Espade Concept Fly self-drive
9 guests
4 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★
La Peniche F self-drive
12 guests
12 adults, child
6 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
Tarpon 32 self-drive
8 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Tarpon 37 DP self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
Tarpon 42 self-drive
12 guests
6 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Tarpon 42 TP self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
Tarpon 49 QP self-drive
12 guests
8 adults, 2 children
5 cabins
5 bathrooms
★★★★★

Le Boat

Le Boat have 28 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
Cirrus A self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
1 cabin
1 bathroom
Budget rating
Cirrus B self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Budget rating
7 nights for 5!
Classique Star self-drive
10 guests
6 adults, 4 children
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget 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
Corvette B 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
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
7 nights for 5!
Salsa B self-drive
12 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
★★★★★

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

Technical and construction information for the waterways in this region

The Nivernais Canal   The Yonne