Heading up the Saone

Heading up the Saone

On the Saone – Chalon to Macon and back – Pont de Vaux

Saturday 1 to Tuesday 18 July – Part 4

In my original trip planning, I had not included Pont de Vaux. But a couple of fellow boaters had said it was worth visiting. Pont de Vaux is a tiny little village, about 2.5 kms up a side canal, aptly named Canal de Pont-de-Vaux.

Ecluse de Canal de Pont de Vaux

Ecluse de Canal de Pont de Vaux

So from Macon we headed back up the Saone, and up this little canal. At the entrance to the canal is a small manually operated lock. We were also back into low bridge territory, so down came the awnings and radar arch. (Not Karen’s favourite!)

Canal Pont de Vaux

Canal de  Pont de Vaux

In addition the canal is quite shallow. Our draft is 1.15 metres. Most of the way there was about 50 to 60 cms under the keel, but for the last 200 metres or so there was nothing at all. It was also quite tricky getting alongside the jetty. We tied up stern first, with the bow in the shallower water.
Pont-de-Vaux was indeed a small village, but very attractive. It was a Monday so there was not a lot happening at all, which often seems to be the case in France.

Shangri La at Pont de Vaux

Shangri La at Pont de Vaux

There were 2 supermarkets so we stocked up on provisions and some reasonably priced (okay – cheap) red wine. Being Monday the Tourist Info was closed, so we just wandered around the village, and returned on board, just before the rain came down. It was a short lived downpour, and we had a lovely restful evening – cooking on board and drinking red wine. This was the first time we got to use our new generator. It appears to be working very well.

Pont de Vaux

Pont de Vaux

Next morning we headed back down the canal and rejoined the Saone, turning upstream and heading for the river Seille.

Next – deviation up the River Seille to Cuisery and Louhans.

Pont de Vaux

Pont de Vaux

Happy boating.

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