The region of western Burgundy (Nivernais Loire) offers magnificent chateaux, peaceful landscapes, ancient villages and plentiful wildlife on a network of pretty waterways. Easy to reach from Paris, the region offers some of the most varied boating areas in France.
Our five cruiser boat bases and four penichette bases offer you an extensive choice of cruises.
From our bases at Joigny and Migennes cruise the Canal de Bourgogne south east through Chablis wine country.
Discover the ancient villages of Saint Florentin, Tanlay, and Montbard, and the magnificent chateaux of Tanlay and Ancy-le-Franc.
Take the Canal du Nivernais – the prettiest in France - south from Joigny and Migennes through wooded hills to the rich plains of the Loire Valley. Medieval towns and villages are perfect places to stop and enjoy the cuisine and wines of Burgundy.
West Burgundy - the very heart of France
See historic Auxerre, picturesque Irancy, and Chatel-Censoir, a pretty village with 5th century crypt and ancient church, and also a cruiser boat base. Nearby Vezelay has a main street lined with medieval houses and a World Heritage site church.
Tannay and Corbigny both have boat bases and offer views over the Morvan hills. From Corbigny the descent south to the Loire winds through rich meadows grazed by the famous white Charolais cattle.
Between Sardy-les-Epiry and Baye three successive tunnels lead to a set of 16 closely spaced locks.
Decize, on a hill between two arms of the River Loire, has narrow and picturesque streets and walled fortifications. From our boat bases here and at Dompierre cruise further south through villages with their weekday markets to Digoin, famous for its potteries and aqueduct crossing the River Loire.
To the west of the Nivernais Loire region the gently sloping Canal lateral a la Loire follows the course of the River Loire with very few locks. See Nevers, steeped in history, or the more modern Formula 1 museum at Magny Cours. Enjoy views across famous vineyards to pretty wine villages such as Sancerre.
Going north on the Canal de Briare from our bases at and Briare, see the famous aqueduct at Briare and reach Montargis with its waterside streets and Moret-sur-Loing, home to the impressionist painter Sisley.
A cruise in West Burgundy gives you the choice of cruising routes in the very heart of France.