French Canal's

[Guest]

French Canal\'s

In Sept I posted a message about how to get back from the Med via the Canal's in a Sadler 32 fin keel, a kind reply suggested I read 'through the canal's', another that the Midi was too shallow. I have read a recent thread that says the canal through Paris is dry.

I do not like the look of the Rhone even in August, but if anyone has come up the Rhone in August I would like to know their experience.

The other is to overland the boat from Sete or somewhere near, across to Biarritz or somewhere near - anyone got any knowledge, who to contact etc.

I also understand if you use the canal's then mast must be overlanded, no longer to be carried as battering ram

Greatful for any help

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: Up the Rhone

I’ve been down the Rhone twice, both times in June. The boats that I met coming the other way were either big and powerful or capable of doing a constant 7 knots, as the current was running at 4 – 5 knots. If you have to come up late August would be about the best time, as its after the mountain snow has melted and before the Autumn rains begin.

 

[Guest]

Re: French Canal\'s

I probably wasn't much help when I said the canal through Paris is dry. It is, but the canal St-Martin only exists to cut the loop of the Seine around the city. That is, I presume you can make the loop and just have a longer trip- with the plus of seeing Paris which is incredibly beautiful from the Seine (dodging the umpteen tourist boats of course).

To make up for it, try www.vnf.fr, which is the French Waterways Agency site. They include an interactive tourism guide with small map (http://www.vnf.fr/tourisme/b_tour.htm) and also a schedule of canal drainages ('chomage' in french).

You might also bear in mind that (I think) a license is required for inland navigation in France.

If you need more specific information or help from over here please get in touch.

 

[Col]

Re: French Canal\'s

See thread lower down Re: French canals