The Loire And Briare Canals

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 in but well worth visiting. You cruise through 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 Laterale 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 little goats 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

Waterways on this route

The Briare Canal, The Centre Canal, The Loing Canal, The Loire Lateral Canal,