Last year we took a one week cruise from Castelnaudary to Port Casaffieres with two other couples and had a really great time. We intend doing another canal boat cruise September 2010 and would like feedback on the Loire and Burgundy areas, we are considering trips such as Gray to Branges, Decize to Tannay or Tannay to Migennes.
As there will be only 4 of us this time we thought we would prefer to try and make this trip a little more leisurely by travelling less distances and with fewer locks.
If anyone has travelled in these areas and has information on scenery things to do etc we would be grateful to hear.
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%26lt;%26lt;we thought we would prefer to try and make this trip a little more leisurely by travelling less distances and with fewer locks%26gt;%26gt;
These routes have changed a bit since I last did Burgundy. I%26#39;m not sure exactly how the route distance itself affects your leisurely pace (unless your using oar power) but be careful about the number of locks on some of these locations - they can be numerous. Of course the places with the best scenery usually have the most locks.
I checked the new LeBoat website and was profoundly underwhelmed - they have taken out the itinerary maps making route planning all the more difficult. I have become somewhat disillusioned with this company since its last ownership change and now suggest you at least check into Bourgogne Fluvial (a British company actually) which has grown quite a bit recently in this area:
http://www.bourgogne-fluviale.com/
Don%26#39;t overlook Locaboat either:
http://www.locaboat.com/
Referring to this websites and the routes they offer may help you decide which area may be best suited to your individual requirements.
If you really want an easy-paced canal cruise I recommend the Canal du Rhone a Sete winding through the Camargue just to the east of the Canal du Midi. There are only a few (2) locks along this route and still much to visit. Within easy walking distance from the canal are wine producers (notably Listel and Noilly Prat), salt works, (La Baleine), and numerous port cities such as Aigues Mortes, Le Grau du Roi, Carnon, Sete, and Palavas les Flots. There is even an overnight location near Montpellier.
Making a vacation decision can be confusing but referring to the above websites might give you some ideas of the overall topography and what each route has to offer.
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I can give you some info on the Loire and Burgundy areas but not specifically the bases you refer to.
Our first trip (about 7 years ago) was in Burgundy from Chatel Censoir to Auxerre return over 7 days - we really enjoyed it. This is a section of the Canal de Nivernais and Yonne river between Tannay and Migennes. Auxerre is worthy of a long stop, the Caves de Bailly are a short walk from the canal, are cool on a hot day and do a good Cremant de Bourgogne. Mailly le Chateau is worth the climb. There is a good boulangerie and the views are excellent.
Since then we have cruised on le Lot from Bouzies and return, then Buzet sur Baise to Condom and return (this is excellent), then Port sur Saone to Gray and return (not so good), then last year from Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses to Moncrabeau and return (Ok, but not great). Next year, we plan on doing the Charente from Sireuil to Saintes and return. We drove around the Charente last year and it looked very peaceful.
I find that Nicols have good boats and a good web site.
www.nicols.com
Most of my booking have been through Eliza Travel in Australia. They represent le Boat, Locaboat and Nicols.
www.canalboatholidays.com
I notice that you live in Auckland. I have a copy of the Guide Fluvial No.11 covering the Yonne, the Canal de Nivernais and the Canal de Bourgogne. You are welcome to borrow this if it will help with your planning. I also find the Google Maps are useful in satellite mode, following the rivers and canals. You can identify villages en route and whether the route runs beside a motorway or through pastoral or forest land.
Give me a call on 4861368 if you are interested in the guide.
Terry
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