French Canals

[Alan_Smith]

I plan to travel through the French canals to the Med in the Autumn. I have a Princess 435 with a lowering radar arch. Has anyone done this in a similar boat or can anyone point me in the right direction for info on bridge heights etc. I dont relish the thought of getting halfway and having to turn around and come back. Thanks.

 

[chrisc]

looking at the les voies navigables de france ´map` the lowest possible course you are liable to take if taking the Rhone route is the canal de bourgoyne this is marked at max airdraft of 3.4 Metres if you can clear this you are ok the other canals are3.5Metrs+.BUT :If going the canal du midi route the lowest is 3 metres (but this is an arch) at Capestang.

 

[macd]

France, main canals, Le-Havre- Med:
Draft = 1.8 metres - 5ft 9inchs.
Beam = 5 metres - 16ft 4inches.
Height = 3.5 metres - 11ft 4 inches.

Canal du Midi:
Draft - 1.6 metres (5ft 2 inches) MAX! Less in high summer.
Width 5.5 metres - (18ft.)
Height 3 metres but be warned that the height of 3m is to the centre of the bridge arches - the sides may be as low as 2metres (6ft 5inches)

This info from www.michaelbriant.com. He sells a respected guide to the French canals, £15.95

 

[Alan_Smith]

Thanks for that Chris. I have got an Imray map of the canals and rivers and had planned to go in at LeHavre, using the Seine to St Mammes. Then I have the choice to use either the C.de Bourgogne (as you said) or the C.de Long etc. Both to the Rhone. The latter has a height of 3.5 all the way whilst the Bourgogne is 3.5 and 3.4. Its all very frustrating. I could go via Biscay but that not as enjoyable and I'm in no rush.

 

[Alan_Smith]

re macd. Yes I bought the MichaelBriant book. Sent it back, wasnt very impressed with the home made maps, too blurred. Have researched quite a lot but really need to speak to someone first hand who has done it I guess. Either that or when I reach a low bridge, ask the local village to climb aboard for the passage through.lol

 

[chrisc]

Most importantly take it slowly ,going through central france is a pretty pleasant experience and too many people (myself included )rush to get to the other end ,thereby missing many good (and suprisingly cheap)restaurants and wine etc.etc..I am planning next trip that way ,much slower this time.

 

[vyv_cox]

The depth of the canal du midi is theoretically 1.5 metres, no longer 1.6 according to their office in Toulouse. We touched many times at 1.4 metres depth in May 2005. In summer it will be less than that. The 3.0 metres bridge is in Narbonne and can be avoided by taking the Midi to Agde, Otherwise the lowest we encountered was 3.30 metres but as said above, this is in the centre of the arch.

 

[chrisc]

Depth of the midi 10 days ago at Toulouse was 70cm down lots of boats sitting on the bottom.But it would definitely have improved the air height.

 

[alandee]

You could try contacting bluegrass on this forum who we met a no. of times on our way through last July. They have an Atlantic 42 with air draft of 3.4 if I remember rightly. In August last year the draft was 1.6 to 1.7 at the highest points in the four central canals. We are a yacht with a winged fin keel and fully laden in fresh water draw 1.6. We slid along the bottom for two long stretches. An ordinary fin keel yacht of 1.8 was able to slice its way through these parts. At this time they would not let anyone through the Burgandy canal with more than 1.4 (we tried) and the Midi had a limit of 1.2. The lowest air draft on the four central canals route was 3.5. Phone the VNF head office in Paris for an update before you leave to check the water depths and lock closures/repair work etc. Have a brilliant trip!

 

[Alan_Smith]

Thanks everybody for your input. Keep it coming. I dont intend to touch the Canal du midi at all. The only decision I appear to have to make is, do I use the C. de Bourgogne or the C de Long and associated canals. As I said before the latter would appear to be a few inches higher airdraft. The two major rivers aren't a problem.

 

[Alan_Smith]

Thanks. I have just sent an email to Blueglass, so will wait for his reply.

 

[Sea Devil]

Have a quick look at my web site - quite a lot of canal info...

The easiest solution is to carry a load of empty water containers. When you get to a bridge you cannot get under then fill them! This method has been used for decades and is cheap and effective...

Ultimately you will need to buy the relevant Navicartes so that you are aware bridge by bridge where you will encounter a problem.. the air height is governed by the lowest possible bridge - bit like chart datum!