French Canal Questions

Well Jerry. That raises a new question. Looking at my CA handbook it appears you may be right. Last time I went to Honfleur was over 20 years ago ( Jeez I am getting old!) At that time it was not possible. Now it appears that the new lock opens at hourly intervals but there is a caution in handbook that says in effect "phone up and check on the day". As I remember it there is very little water outside on LW springs. Perhaps it operates full tide only on neaps.... Anyone know?
 
It is easiest to get your VNF licence at Rouen. Tie up at Vittards boat yard, out through the gate, turn right and walk up to the main road, the VNF office is at the top of the hill on the left, just before the main road.
Calculate your boat area (LOA x Max Beam)(and adjust if necessary) before you go to pay at the VNF office, as the prices are banded, and you wouldn’t want to fall into a higher band for the matter of a sq Meter!!
It was always reckoned that Honfleur was the best (cheapest) place to have your mast lowered.
Tyres are not allowed, but people have got away with it if the tyre is in a canvas bag.
Buy some really cheap or use very old mooring line, as it will be worn out at the end of the trip, and always keep a sharp knife to hand on the ‘down’ locks.

Ho! Last but not least, leave on a day when Low Water coincides with first light, to give maximum daylight time to get to Rouen.
 
Thanks for that "wildcard" perhaps see you at the other end sometime? Probably ba about a month behind you and planning to go down Corsica,Sardinia,Italy, Ionian.....
 
Hmm...
Bit worrying that it's the "builders bum" photo that has attracted the most interest./forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
To respond to a number of points made by others . .

a) We unstepped at Honfleur (basic friendly boatyard with crane, but don't expect too much assistance, they expect you to know what you're doing) and then made the lock and the journey upstream to Rouen. No problem with timings at all (obviously one does has to plan), and it's that bit closer to Rouen (less time 'at sea' without a mast) but the wash from the river ships came as a big shock (this was our first time) and nearly caused us a catastrophe. Watch out for fog which is a well-known sudden hazard. We berthed next to an American boat in Paris whose mast was damaged de-masting at Le Havre.

b) Tyres are 'allowed' - provided they float - we used three big plastic coke bottles taped inside each one. We think tyres - and fender boards - are invaluable. Some of those deep locks have highly abrasive concrete sides. And provided they're sensibly tied on - so if one rope abrades and fails there are still other fixings to hold the thing.

c) The (dock)yard at Rouen does not have a good reputation. The port de plaisance there is pretty good and very close to the VNF office, but it's closed (the VNF that is) at weekends and doesn't/didn't take credit cards. To be honest, we didn't get our carnet until Paris although also by reputation the first lock beyond Rouen is where they check for them.

d) At the other end I have an idea that Bayles has now closed but there is another big yard that obviously does loads of de/re-mastings. When we did an inspection recce by car, Port Napoleon 'round the corner looked better although there have been rumblings of discontent from some with moorings there (I've heard good reports too). Or Port Camargue which is a fairly quick 10-15 minute mast-less passage from the XXX river and Aigues-Mortes. We re-masted at Agde on the Herault - Chantier Alleman - very professional and experienced.

e) Midi locks are b*ggers. The hire boats are worse.

Lots lots more on these points, and many others, on our website.
See Logbook, Learnings and Places.

Bon voyage!
 
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