French Rivers/Canals

[sgball]

We're still trying to find away to get the Riva back to England. Over land five and a half thousand ouch! Just to remind you all the boat is 14.5 meters long 4.7 meters wide 3.3 meters high with a draft lower than 1.6 meters.

I have been told the following route would not be a problem: from Port St Loius up the river Rhone to St Jean de Losne, along Canal de Bourgogne to Seine Yonne onto the river Seine through Paris to Le Harve - then of course across the Channel. Has anyone been there done that?
Any idea on how long it would take?
I have also been told this route would be free of charge.

Alternatively has anyone got a mooring in the South of France that we could rent for a while? why waiting to catch a cheaper return load. The current mooring runs out at the end of this month.
Thanks for all your help so far.
Regards
Trudie

 

[Guest]

It will take about a month to six weeks. You would need to make sure a. the canals are open if trying it before April, and B that the water levels are not too high. Re cost your'll need a VNF license but the're not expensive. Just make sure you have stacks of fenders etc as the locks can be a bit unkind. Re the route as long as you're less than 3.5m air draft you'll be OK. Good reading is version 9 of bookon the French canals, it will give you distances for each of the canals and air draft/water drafts together with stopping places etc.

 

[sgball]

Sorry to be so naive but whats a VNF Licence?

 

[Guest]

The French have a license system called VNF from offices throughout France-- this is a license that you must have to use the canals , its a kind of toll and pays for the upkeep of the canals. You can get them for a month-three months- six months or a year. You just find the nearest VNF office as you enter the system show them your ICC certificate and boats papers and they will issue you with a license to cruise the canals which will at some time during the cruise be checked by the lockkeepers. Cann't remember how much mine was last year -- but for a month I think its about 50 euros . Its not needed for the Rhone or the Seine after the last lock before Paris. Hope this helps

 

[Col]

Read about it Cols Picture Album

 

[sgball]

Thanks for that, just one little point. I was also told that if you were a 'holiday maker' you don't need an ICC or any other qualifications. You also mentioned moorings in your last post. Would we be able to leave the boat on a mooring for say a month fly home do some work then fly back and continue with our journey?

 

[Col]

You will also need ICC (as Tex says) with Cevni endorsment, insurance, proof of engine horse power , Proof of owner and size of boat- Part 1 Reg is suitable for last 3 and lastly, proof of VAT status.The French do like to see lots of paperwork<G>

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[Col]

Strangly, you need an ICC for your own boat, but you can hire a peniche (barge) without, by taking a competance test with the hirers.
Hence you statement that holidaymakers don't need ICC

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[sgball]

Very interesting! could you translate it for me? my French is not that good.
Thanks

 

[Col]

If you require further guidance, speak to Linda Sage at VNF Paris, she speaks excellent English, and can advise of Ecluse (lock) closures etc
tel ++03.26.85.75.95
fax ++03.26.40.60.25






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[sgball]

Thanks I'll give Linda a call.

 

[Guest]

I think you may have to take a CEVNI test, I have mine in the next couple of weeks.

If you are intending to take a boat through the European Inland Waterways system, i.e. canals, rivers, lakes etc. applicants must have passed a test called the CEVNI (European Inland Waterways Regulations) at a RYA Training Centre or RYA Affiliated Club authorised to carry out tests. The CEVNI test is a multiple choice paper of 14 questions. The pass mark is 11 and usually takes about 10 minutes.

Recommended Reading - The CEVNI rules can be found in the 'RYA Book of Euroregs for Inland Waters'. 'Foreign Cruising 1 & 2' is essential reading for planning a cruise abroad, giving precise information on relevant documentation and certification when cruising in each country.

Best check this out before you start.

 

[Col]

Your welcome. Have you got a time limit to do it in , and where are you coming from?


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[Col]

Said that above /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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[Guest]

Sorry I was slow trying to copy the text from that bloody RYA website that hardly ever works, well done anyway.

 

[Col]

Just found a book that will give you a good insite:- "The channel to the med"by Derek Bowskill isbn no: 1-898574-03-0

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[Russell]

I've done Calais to St Jean twice, and it took about 3 weeks. I guess u could knock a week off that by going in at Le Havre. I did it in 25' river boats, and North Foreland-Calais was more than enough in the Channel thanks ! We got a card at Calais which has so many boxes on it, and u only have 2 write the date in on the days which the boat moves. We were only asked 4 it once though. I think it is on the Yonne that the locks have sloping sides. What a nightmare, especially when going down. They did sell us red diesel there though. I also moved a boat from Lyon to the coast 2 years ago, no problems there, its a big river with big locks, and u should have plenty of power to overcome the current. Places to overnight were few and far between though. We had 2 throw the hook down 1 night, because there was just nowhere 2 stop. I think it took us about 10 days, but we went right through to Agde. Whatever u do, stay away from the Petit Rhone. Its a poxy little cut and I nearly managed 2 sink the boat on submerged metal posts which r driven in on the inside of the turns. I presume they r there to encourage the current to scour the channel, but when I went through they were just under the surface. Missed them by inches..... !
The Borgogne is superb though, well worth the trip

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

You need to check your proposed route very carefully for bridge height and lock dimensions because your boat is relatively large. I have no experience of doing this but I've never heard of such a large boat going inland Med to Channel. If you plan the trip for Spring, you may also have problems with flooded rivers, certainly the Rhone will be running very fast at that time. Also, I would guess that, by the time you add up all the costs of doing this eg fuel, mooring fees, waterway charges, flights, food etc plus the potential for breakdowns and damaging the boat, it will cost you more than the truck transport
As regards moorings, these are very hard to come by on the Riviera and you will probably have to move the boat west beyond Toulon. If you decide to truck the boat, speak to the transport companies and find out where they drop off most of their boats and find a mooring nearby

 

[mainshiptom]

You sound like my other half, Canals are actually fun and realxing not anything like being at sea, people are very nice(even the france).

I love going through the farnce canals and would look forward to doing it anytime, information is good and up to date.. and the places which you do stop at are amazing allthough somtomes you just have to stop just before the lock that has just closed (If on a rushed delivery trip)

Do it and enjoy it !! Well worth every penny vs paying for your boat being lifted up to a truck and being driven on a road ?


PS I had my bost deliverd by road and the amount of damge done to it since the flybridge was removed (low broidges) was unbeliveable.

Tom

 

[JEG]

Tex, would you be so kind as to provide further details of "version 9 of book"

Thank you