Burgundy Valley Canal History
Canal Barge Rentals: Hire a crew or rent a bare
boat and cruise the canal.
boat and cruise the canal.
A barge cruise, bare boat, or a culinary
cruise over the Burgundy Canal will cover
some historic territory. The Canal de Bourgogne
or Burgundy Canal provides north to south
access through France and connects the Atlantic
Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea through the
Rivers Seine and Yonne to the north, and the
rivers Rhone and Saone to the south.
The area traversed by the canal is some of the
most scenic in France and includes rolling farm
country, fields of white cattle, small villages, and
imposing hilltop castles and chateaus. Parts of
the canal are undergoing repair with steel sheet
pile being driven to support the sidewalls and
upgrades and automation of the water and gate
control but much of the canal remains just the way
it was when constructed in the 17th and 18 th
Century.
cruise over the Burgundy Canal will cover
some historic territory. The Canal de Bourgogne
or Burgundy Canal provides north to south
access through France and connects the Atlantic
Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea through the
Rivers Seine and Yonne to the north, and the
rivers Rhone and Saone to the south.
The area traversed by the canal is some of the
most scenic in France and includes rolling farm
country, fields of white cattle, small villages, and
imposing hilltop castles and chateaus. Parts of
the canal are undergoing repair with steel sheet
pile being driven to support the sidewalls and
upgrades and automation of the water and gate
control but much of the canal remains just the way
it was when constructed in the 17th and 18 th
Century.
The Burgundy Canal had its first backers long ago with a plan conceived in 1607 that would help
transport produce form the farms of the rich alluvial Burgundy Valley and from farms along the Rhone River.
The engineers started work on the canal in 1727 and completed work in 1832 when barges made the first
crossing. Some cargo still traverses the canal but most traffic is now tour boat cruises on one-week trips or
barges making an extended run through France from the Med. to the Atlantic.
The Village of Pouilly en Auxios, north of Dijon, is the highest point on the canal at 378 meters above sea
level. (1,240 feet)
A three-kilometer tunnel (2.07 miles) is one of the intriguing features of this marvel of engineering with a total
length of 150 miles. With 113 locks on the Yonne River side of the canal and 76 on the Saone River side,
and a complex system of reservoirs and feeder canals the Burgundy Canal remains an intriguing
engineering accomplishment and a wonderful place to enjoy a walk, bike ride, or barge cruise through the
French countryside.
transport produce form the farms of the rich alluvial Burgundy Valley and from farms along the Rhone River.
The engineers started work on the canal in 1727 and completed work in 1832 when barges made the first
crossing. Some cargo still traverses the canal but most traffic is now tour boat cruises on one-week trips or
barges making an extended run through France from the Med. to the Atlantic.
The Village of Pouilly en Auxios, north of Dijon, is the highest point on the canal at 378 meters above sea
level. (1,240 feet)
A three-kilometer tunnel (2.07 miles) is one of the intriguing features of this marvel of engineering with a total
length of 150 miles. With 113 locks on the Yonne River side of the canal and 76 on the Saone River side,
and a complex system of reservoirs and feeder canals the Burgundy Canal remains an intriguing
engineering accomplishment and a wonderful place to enjoy a walk, bike ride, or barge cruise through the
French countryside.
| Barge tours leave from the port of Dijon, go north and then return |
Barge Cruises, Bare Boat or full
crew including a chef Canal Cruises
crew including a chef Canal Cruises
| History of The Burgundy Canal, An Engineering Marvel Conceived in 1607 |
| Burgundy Canal Barge History, France |
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days; see their options
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luggage space, standard or automatic, two door, four door and other options. Renting for more than 17
days; see their options
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| Rotary with yield to traffic in rotary |
| Road showing right of way |
Intersection
with right of
way to right
with right of
way to right
Highway or
Expressway
Expressway
No Passing
zone ends
zone ends
No Passing for
commercial
vehicles
commercial
vehicles
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Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations.
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations.
Information for those renting a vehicle in France
Villages along the route
offer hotels and B&Bs
offer hotels and B&Bs
Eleventh century village of Chateneuf-en Auxios
In the 11th Century hilltop village of Chateauneuf -en-Axious
small B&Bs, a village market, and restaurant offer the hiker or
biker a rest and refreshment. Many small farming towns line
the route along the Burgundy Valley and the Burgundy Canal
small B&Bs, a village market, and restaurant offer the hiker or
biker a rest and refreshment. Many small farming towns line
the route along the Burgundy Valley and the Burgundy Canal
Barge Cruises out of the city of Dijon make one week culinary and wine trips on the Burgundy Canal
The TGV high speed Train and a high speed toll highway reach Dijon from Paris.
The TGV high speed Train and a high speed toll highway reach Dijon from Paris.
Hiking Trails along the Burgundy
Canal use the service roads where
mules once pulled the barges
Canal use the service roads where
mules once pulled the barges
How to reach Dijon and the Burgundy Canal by
rail and rental auto from Paris
rail and rental auto from Paris
How to reach Dijon and the Burgundy Canal by
rail and rental auto from Paris
rail and rental auto from Paris
One week Barge Tours
Out of Dijon
Out of Dijon
How to reach Dijon and the Burgundy Canal by
rail and rental auto from Paris
rail and rental auto from Paris