Welcome
to my page on the Canals
and Rivers of France
This page covers the different routes you can take between the UK and the Mediterranean. There are links from here to detailed information on The Canal du Midi and The Scenic Route as well using a the Lorry Option to transport your boat or just the mast.
The Rhone River Parking Places lists all the know overnight stopping places which are few and far between. Eloise Diary is the daily log of my trip last year from the UK to the Med then back up the Canal du Midi to my home in La Rochelle
If you have little up to date knowledge of the canals and rivers between northern Europe and the Mediterranean, I have published a book which should give you all the information you need in order to get the correct French recognised qualifications and licences to take the boat into the inland waterways of France. It also lists the main routes with details of distance, timing and the appropriate inland waterway chart books - Navicarte that you will require.
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If you are thinking about using the French canals to passage between the UK and the Mediterranean then this booklet contains all the information you need. It describes the Routes, the regulations the paperwork - How where and when to get the qualifications and license, the depths, air heights, locks and a whole lot more. There are 'charts/maps' throughout, the distances, dimensions & main stopping places and is the only publication to list ALL the possible stopping places on the Rhone River! Bound with a wire spiral so you may keep THE FRENCH CANAL ROUTES in the cockpit and refer to it as you motor through the canal system. FOR FULL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BOOK GO TO £15.95 Or you can buy it as an Ebook £11.25 (approximately US$22.50c) Click here |
It is just possible, but only just, to do the voyage with just my book and Navicarte 21, but to be comfortable and to really enjoy the experience you are going to need the NAVICARTE for your intended route. These are available from my site at normal French prices (I live in La Rochelle) and with the same postal charges as most web sites in the UK.
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If you are looking for detailed route information then go to:-
THIS SECTION HAS DESCRIPTIONS OF THE WAY TO AND FROM THE MED BY THE CANAL AND SEA ROUTES |
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Customers from the USA - Canada - Australia or other Non EU countries please add extra postage of £2.50 to all orders by pressing this button after you have made your selection - The postal charge is actual cost with no extra for 'handling'... Thanks, Michael |
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For a range of Nautical Books and DVD's about far away places, visit my BOAT SHOP - click here |
FOR A NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE CANALS
The following links go to the two sections of CANAL TRIP
St Valery to the Med by the Scenic Route
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with some extra comments and info
In 2005 took my Prout 33 down the Canals and
Rivers of France, from the UK. Having purchased her a
month earlier in Millbrook near
Plymouth.
I sailed along the UK south coast, crossed the channel and entered at St Valery sur Somme heading for the Mediterranean. I made a 'daily log' of the trip which might be interesting if you are thinking of 'doing' the canals.
I have used the Canals and Rivers of France between the Channel and the Mediterranean at least a dozen times. I now live in France and my book is probably the most up to date and informative available today.
Routes Between the English Channel and the Mediterranean go to Routes
For circumnavigation and sailing pages go to