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With few locks to operate, this is an easy cruising region famous for its delicious white wines, beautiful scenery and an altogether slower pace of life on the water From our bases at Decize and Châtillon sur- Loire enjoy idyllic cruising to connect to any of our bases on the Canal du Nivernais and surrounding waterways or simply relax and enjoy the picturesque scenery and charming towns and villages that line the water’s edge.
New cruising suggestions for 2009 from our base at Decize allow you to explore further south, making the most of the region’s lively weekday regional markets, wine-tastings in small villages and strolls through medieval town squares.
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Regional Highlights
- The hilltop village of Sancerre and its famous wine - producing vineyards
- Delicious Crottin de Chavignol goats cheese – a local speciality
- The pretty book town of Charité-sur-Loire and the old barge town of Marseillesles- Aubigny
- Stop at Plagny to visit the nearby Formula 1 museum at Magny Cours
- Nevers’ rich cultural heritage – a former Roman town and now a centre for fine porcelain
On the edge of the Nivernais Loire region of Burgundy, the gently sloping Canal latéral à la Loire follows the course of the River Loire and affords spectacular views of the surrounding vineyard-clad hilltops and the beautiful River Loire itself.
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| SHORT BREAK - Suggested Cruises in Loire Valley |
From the island town of Decize, enjoy a short break visiting some of the Loire Valley’s most beautiful old villages – Nevers, Marseilles-les-Aubigny and La Charité-sur-Loire. Easy cruising and few locks to operate leaves you plenty of time for onshore sightseeing. View Cruise Map |
Duration: 5 nights
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 136km
Locks: 34
Cruise Time: 30 HOURS |
Follow the blue pavement lines through the pretty town of Nevers to discover its rich cultural heritage and enjoy splendid views over the River Loire. Visit the beautiful medieval hilltop town of Sancerre and learn all about the region’s vineyards at the Maison des Sancerre, a 15th century house dedicated to the art of wine-making. View Cruise Map |
Duration: One week
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 180 km
Locks: 38
Cruise Time: 36 hrs |
Cruise across the famous aqueduct at Briare before visiting the charming medieval town of Montargis - known as the ‘Venice of Gatinais’ because of its numerous canals and bridges. Buy delicious pralines from the original shop that made them in the time of Louis XIII. Saffron, the world’s most expensive spice, is grown in the surrounding fields. View Cruise Map |
Duration: One week
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 122 km
Locks: 62
Cruise Time: 30 hrs |
| The Sparkling Cruise - |
A one week cruise alongside the River Loire through the famous Sancerre wineproducing region, stopping for winetastings en route, to Nevers, famous for producing the oldest china in France and where quaint streets converge on the Ducal Palace. Arrive in Decize, where 300 year old plane trees line the avenues in typical French style. View Cruise Map |
Duration: One week
Cruise Type: One Way
Distance: 133 km
Locks: 26
Cruise Time: 27 hrs |
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| The Pilgrim's Cruise - |
Enjoy a leisurely meander on the southern stretch of the Canal latéral à la Loire visiting the historic towns of Digoin, famous for its ceramics and Paray-Le-Monial. Excellent pathways alongside the canal make this great for walking or cycling. Paray-le-Monial is a world-famous pilgrimage site – it is here that the sacred heart was revealed in the 17th century to a young nun. The magnificent octagonal Sacred Heart Basilica is not to be missed.
View Cruise Map |
Duration: 10 Nights
Cruise Type: Retun Trip
Distance: 154km
Locks: 40
Cruise Time: 35 hrs |
| Villages & Vineyard Cruise - |
A splendid two week cruise on the Canal du Nivernais and the Canal latéral à la Loire taking in all the famous sights of the region, from splendid châteaux to artisan towns and world-famous vineyards.
View Cruise Map
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Duration: Two weeks
Cruise Type: One Way
Distance: 316 km
Locks: 151
Cruise Time: 76 hrs |
