Calais - access to the Canal de Calais

Grehan

Grehan

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 Jun 2001
Messages
3,729
Location
Inland France + Oxon.
www.french-waterways.com
It would appear that the Ecluse between the port/harbour and the canal is closed for repair with no completion/re-opening date yet known.
I'll update this with more definite news as and when.
There are alternatives, of course, Dunkerque and Gravelines, and St-Valery on the Somme.
 
Grehan said:
It would appear that the Ecluse between the port/harbour and the canal is closed for repair with no completion/re-opening date yet known.
I'll update this with more definite news as and when.
There are alternatives, of course, Dunkerque and Gravelines, and St-Valery on the Somme.
Click to expand...

I'm planning to return to UK from Paris via the Canal de la Somme but have seen some reports it is very shallow. To be safe I need 1.5m as Finesse draws 1.3m to the props. Can anyone advise on depth in September please.
Sante
Graham
 
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Lots of water around this year - so far. Generally speaking, there should be a 'practical' depth of 1.5m-2m in the channel centre. However, as you've been told, in some years this can go down to 1.2m in late summer. Can't predict this September I'm afraid, but you can try a) The Agence Fluviale in Amiens (this is not a VNF waterway) - 03 22 71 60 80 or b) the Locaboat hire base at Cappy 03 22 76 12 12

Salut
 
Grehan said:
It would appear that the Ecluse between the port/harbour and the canal is closed for repair with no completion/re-opening date yet known.
I'll update this with more definite news as and when.
There are alternatives, of course, Dunkerque and Gravelines, and St-Valery on the Somme.
Click to expand...

I have brought a couple of barges up the Aa years ago,but in Gravelines last summer the old boy told me they have built some bridge across the river effectively closing it,so I would check in advance,cheers Jerry
 
Calais Port Control -- 0033 321006810 -- were the only people to give 100% correct information re the lock. It is run by them not VNF.

It was still closed 5/7/13
 
Grehan said:
The air height currently given for the Aa (from Gravelines) is 5m - water depth 1.8m.
Click to expand...

I am tempted to avoid the Somme and return to UK on the Aa as folk speak well of Gravelines. I assume I can moor in the canal before the sea lock to visit the town then exit at high tide through the marina and make passage to Ramsgate. I have ordered the Fluvicarte from Frenchwaterways so will then decide.
 
My Fluviacarte shows a 'mooring possible' 1/2km before the sea lock, but the Bassin Vauban immediately beyond it is closer to the town and its star-shaped fortifications.

I don't have any reports of mast stepping at Gravelines, although I'm sure it's possible in the Bassin Vauban port/marina, and I'd welcome any.

I also can't see any recent (July) Fluviacarte #14 Nord/Pas de Calais orders - ?
 
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Calais Port Control -- 0033 321006810 -- were the only people to give 100% correct information re the lock. It is run by them not VNF.
 
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