Calais Dunkerque Canals

[DaveSteward]

We are thinking about going inland from one of the Channnel Ports this summer. Possibly Calais or Dunkerque.
I would appreciate any thoughts on possible canal routes inland for a week or so with a motor cruiser. Draft 1m Airdraft 3.8m. Would want to get back to near where I started.

Thanks in advance.

David

 

[capsco]

If the 3.8 airdraft is fixed you might not be going very far, certainly from Calais

 

[dabsolute470]

Hi Dave

if your plans change, we are going to CI 2nd June for a couple of weeks it could be a boozy one...lol
we hope to do the 2005 route and destinations

 

[Powersalt]

Dont know about air draft but from my limeted experience these canals were awful. I saw dead dogs in them, rubbish and the like certainly not my cup of tea . Although I did meet a chap who found the poor weather made him head from dunkirk to calais by canal to which he said it was do able and interesting!!!

 

[dabsolute470]

Dave remember Brugge.... getting tangled up with a shopping trolly....
better than a container i guess !!

 

[miket]

Agree

'fraid I agree with others.
I have done Nieuwpoort to Dunkirk in a Fairline Turbo 36, but only because weather was so awful.
Bottled out at Dunkirk as bridge heights were not accurate. Many had pipes or something hanging below the original bridge.
Horrible canal for scenery. Can't think of anything good to say and it took ages.
Go further up to Holland and a different matter. Lovely. But minimum 2 weeks needed really.

You can enter the R Somme at St Valery sur Somme, but not sure it is significantly better.