
Bases at Briare and Dompierre-sur-Besbre
The Canal du Briare is the oldest canal in the world. The spectacular locks at Rogny Les Sept Ecluses are no longer used but well worth visiting.
You cruise through the wooded countryside punctuated by lakes, La Puisaye. To the north of Briare, the Canal du Loing will lead you to the centre of Montargis, where the canal follows waterside streets lined with frame houses. You cruise next toward Nemours, its waters well-stocked with fish, then Ferrieres, Chateau-Landon and Moret sur Loing, which brings you into the heart of the Gatinais region.
Travelling south from Briare the "Canal latéral à la Loire, the impressive Canal bridge of Briare, work of the engineer Eiffel, will take you over the Loire and lead you toward Sancerre and Apremont-les-Allier with fine chateau gardens, La Charite sur Loire and Nevers with its rich heritage of the Dukes of Nevers. Between Nivernais and Berry, the region prides itself on its famous produce, such as the white wines of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume which you savour with a bit of goat cheese, 'bouchon' or 'Crottin de Chevre'
One-week cruises from Briare
- Briare, Chatillon sur Loire, St Satur, Sancerre, Marseille Les Aubigny, Briare
154 km, 30 locks, 4h45 cruising per day - Briare,Rogny-les-Sept Ecluses, Chatillon, Coligny, Montargis, Briare
104kms, 62 locks, 4h45 cruising per day - Briare - Cosne sur Loire - Sancerre - Nevers - Decize - Dompierre sur Besbre
176 km, 33 locks, 4h30 cruising per day
10 or 11-day cruises from Briare
- Briare, Chatillon sur Loire, St Satur, Marseille Les Aubigny, Nevers, Briare
206 km, 38 locks, 5 hours cruising per day
Two-week cruises from Briare
- Briare, Chatillon sur Loire, St Satur, Nevers, Decize, Briare
270 km, 56 locks, 4hrs cruising per day - Briare - Rogny les Sept Ecluses - Chatillon Coligny- Montargis - Nemours - Briare
170 km, 92 locks, 3h30 cruising per day
One-week cruises from Dompierre
- Dompierre, Decize, Nevers, Sancerre, Cosne sur Loire, Briare
176 km; 33 locks; 4hr30 cruising per day
Two-week cruises from Dompierre
- Dompierre, Decize, Nevers, Sancerre, Briare, Dompierre
356 km; 70 locks; 5hr cruising per day - Dompierre, Digoin, Decize, Nevers, Sancerre, Cosne sur Loire, Rogny-les-Sept Ecluses, Briare ONE WAY
280 km; 101 locks; 2 canal bridges, 4hr30 cruising per day - Dompierre, Decize, Nevers, Sancerre, Briare, Joigny
379 km; 105 locks; 1 canal bridge; 5hr cruising per day
Locaboat rental boats for The Loire and Briare canals
There are 12 self-drive boats for the The Loire and Briare canals