The Burgundy Canal with Locaboat by Riverly

Locaboat base at Joigny 

Linking the Yonne to the Saône, the construction of the Canal de Bourgogne started in 1775 and finished in 1834. The canal begins in northern Burgundy at Migennes on the River Yonne. The waterway heads southeast along the Armançon valley towards the Auxois hills and plateau. At the summit in the market town of Pouill-en-Auxois, the canal uses a 3.33-kilometre-long tunnel to connect to the Ouche Valley, passing through the city of Dijon and then joining the River Saône at Saint-Jean-de-Losne.

Cruising with your Riverly Locaboat from Joigny, you can enter the Canal-de-Bourgogne at lock 115 and head upstream. More close to the superb aqueduct at Saint Florentin and walk up to its church to admire the superb stained glass. In the town of Tonnerre, visit the natural water well called "Fosse Dionne"; the surrounding houses date back to Gallo-Roman times, and the fresh water still provisions the town.

If you adventure further along the canal, take the time to explore the magnificent Renaissance châteaux such as Tanlay and Ancy-le-Franc. Close to the market town of Montbard you can visit the magnificent Abbey of Fontenay (UNESCO World Heritage) tucked away in a secluded valley and is just a short bike ride away from canal moorings.

Near Venarey Les Laumes at the village of Alise-Sainte-Reine, you'll want to visit the site of the Gaulish fortress of Alesia where Velcingetorix surrendered to Caesar after a two-month siege.

One-week cruises from Joigny

• Joigny, Tonnerre, Tanlay, Ancy-le- Franc and return
  Cruise distance 166km (103.15 miles), 68 locks, 33 hours of cruising

10/11 day cruises from Joigny

• Joigny, Tanlay, Ancy-le-Franc, Montbard and return
  Cruise distance 222km (137.94 miles), 98 locks, 47 hours of cruising

Two-week cruises from Joigny

• Joigny, St Florentin, Ancy-le-Franc, Montbard, Venarey-les-Laumes and return
  Cruise distance 246km (152.86 miles), 134 locks, 60 hours of cruising