Staying in Paris

[GSL]

We are planning to take our boat through the French inland waterways to the Med, leaving the UK in mid April. Boat is a 42 foot Sea Ray Sundancer.

We have several queries that we would appreciate answers to.

Where do we find prices and availability of Marina space at the Arsenal Marina in Paris. We would like to leave our boat there for 4 – 6 weeks while we return to the UK for a work break. We have been unable to unearth any information on the internet, does anyone have information on availability and pricing?

Any more information on where we can leave our boat on the canal system for 4 – 6 weeks at a time?

I can find no information on Marinas with Pump-out services for waste tanks. Do these exist?

Many thanks in advance

Graham

 

[blueglass]

Graham,
Did this 2 years back and also had to leave the boat for several weeks at a time and return home, although we didn't use Paris Arsenal for that. We did stay there but we stayed on board to enjoy the stay. We used the Bourbonnais route as below, and made all arangements to leave the boat on site and without prior arrangements as we were never sure how far we would get on any one leg. worked fine for us.

As regards pump out - none existent ion entire system in our experience. Just pump out direct into canals like everybody else! no choice!

Cobb's Quay, Poole >> Yarmouth IOW>> Brighton>>Fecamp>>Lehavre>>Rouen.

Rouen >> Paris>>St. Mammes via R.Seine

St. Mammes >> Montargis via Canal de Loing

Montargis >> Briare via Canal de Briare

Briare>> Digoin via Canal de Lateral a Loire.

Digoin >> Chalon sur Saone via Canal du Centre.

Chalon sur Saone >> Lyon via R.Saone

Lyon >> Port St.Louis via R.Rhone.

We made 46 stopovers and left the boat 4 times while we returned to the UK, in Rouen, Poissy, Digoin and Chalon sur Saone.

 

[maybh1]

[ QUOTE ]
As regards pump out - none existent ion entire system in our experience. Just pump out direct into canals like everybody else! no choice!(quote)



I can confirm that it is not just the boats that empty into the Seine. My husband did a dive to take a rope of a boat on an MBM trip to Paris and I have never seen so much [--word removed--], crap and toilet waste, nappies, sanitary items, condoms etc etc.

He even had two dead rats float over his head at one stage.

We were so concerned that he would get some dread disease from the filth that he was made to bathe from head to toe in dettol.

May
xx

 

[apollo]

How did you return home each time, are the trains that good over there?

 

[blueglass]

rail travel is superb. regular, efficient and very reasonable prices. Also every little town seems to have a station. a bit like pre Beeching UK. we got train back to Paris each time and flew home from there.

 

[blueglass]

yes water quality pretty bad. on our trip we disinfected our hands immediately after handling the ropes but the french had a much more laid back attitude and we even watched in horror as one family went swimming off their bathing platform in the canal du centre, even taking their small baby in with them!