Reflections on the waterways
Before getting into the planning for 2017, I thought I would have a quick look back at our 2016 cruising, and how different it was to 2015.
Last year we did only 2 short trips, one up the Canal du Rhone au Rijn to Besancon and back to St Jean-de-Losne, and another down the Saone to Chalon-sur-Saone and back. 37 days on board and boating a whole 214 kilometres and 56 locks. (28 actually – but each one twice – on the way out and agin coming back).
Route of 2016 cruise in green
Compare that to our epic 2015 trip from Zwartsluis in the Netherlands, through Belgium, and to St Jean-de-Losne in France – 79 days on board, but we covered 1275 kilometres and negotiated 299 locks.
Route for 2015 cruise French part only
Friends visiting
We love having friends spend a few days on board with us. We are fortunate to have Shangri La, and enjoy sharing the experience of boating on the inland waterways.
Unfortunately the hard boating of 2015 did not lend itself to this, particularly as we were traversing some of the more remote places in France. However, last year 2 sets friends joined us for a few days each.
Friends aboard
Planning for this year
All this has a bearing on planning for this year. As much as we enjoyed the long 2015 trip, we were under a bit too much pressure to do the distance in the time allowed, and I had booked Shangri La in at H2O in St Jean. 2016 was so much more leisurely and relaxing.
So this year we wont try to achive so much and will stay in the Burgundy area, which should make it easier for friends to plan a stay aboard with us.
Still working on the details – will keep you updated.
My love of boats goes back to my early years when I went on holiday with my parents to Knysna in the Cape.
We stayed at a hotel on stilts, and I played in rowing boats and little motor boats on the lagoon.
Good morning , we are doing a self drive boattrip from Branges to St Jean de Losne with Le Boat in September and came across your blog and would really appreciate it if you could give us some advice about the route. I find it difficult to get information on the internet or from Le Boat. We would like to know where to moore overnight, which towns are nice to visit, sightseeing and maybe to deviate from the Saone river – we were hoping to visit some winefarms – are there any wine farms close to the Saone river on the route?
Would really appreciate any advice.
Kind regards, Henriette from South Africa
Hi there Henrietta,
So Louhans further up the Seille is nice. We also liked Cuisery. Tournus was great. Chalon-sur-Saone is one of our favourites. It gets very full there so you need to arrive late morning/lunchtime – after most boats have left but before the rush of arrivals. Not many wine farms close to the Saone. If you have the time detour into Canal du Centre opposite Chalon and go as far as Santenay. Wine farms and wine cellars for tasting there. Further up the Saone on the way to St Jean, Verdun-sur-Doubs is ok but not much happening there. Give Seurre a miss! Unfriendly Capitainerie and absolutely nothing there in the town.
Hunt around in my blog for that trip for more info. Also follow my wife Karen’s blog – greenpointgreenie – she also has lots of info on our travels.
Have a good trip. We thoroughly enjoyed our years of boating. We sold the boat end last year.