Burgundy Valley Canal History
Canal Barge Rentals: Hire a crew or rent a bare
boat and cruise the canal.
boat and cruise the canal.
A barge cruise, bare boat,
or a culinary cruise over
the Burgundy Canal will
cover some historic territory.
The Canal de Bourgogne or
Burgundy Canal provides north
to south access through France
and connects the Atlantic Ocean
with the Mediterranean Sea
through the Rivers Seine and
Yonne to the north, and the
rivers Rhone and Saone to the
south.
The area traversed by the canal
is some of the most scenic in
France and includes rolling farm
country, fields of white cattle,
small villages, and imposing
hilltop castles and chateaus.
Parts of the canal are
undergoing repair with steel
sheet pile being driven to
support the sidewalls and
upgrades and automation of the
water and gate control but much
of the canal remains just the way
it was when constructed in the
17th and 18 th Century.
or a culinary cruise over
the Burgundy Canal will
cover some historic territory.
The Canal de Bourgogne or
Burgundy Canal provides north
to south access through France
and connects the Atlantic Ocean
with the Mediterranean Sea
through the Rivers Seine and
Yonne to the north, and the
rivers Rhone and Saone to the
south.
The area traversed by the canal
is some of the most scenic in
France and includes rolling farm
country, fields of white cattle,
small villages, and imposing
hilltop castles and chateaus.
Parts of the canal are
undergoing repair with steel
sheet pile being driven to
support the sidewalls and
upgrades and automation of the
water and gate control but much
of the canal remains just the way
it was when constructed in the
17th and 18 th Century.
The Burgundy Canal had its first backers long ago with a plan conceived in 1607 that would help
transport produce form the farms of the rich alluvial Burgundy Valley and from farms along the Rhone River.
The engineers started work on the canal in 1727 and completed work in 1832 when barges made the first
crossing. Some cargo still traverses the canal but most traffic is now tour boat cruises on one-week trips or
barges making an extended run through France from the Med. to the Atlantic.
The Village of Pouilly en Auxios, north of Dijon, is the highest point on the canal at 378 meters above sea
level. (1,240 feet)
A three-kilometer tunnel (2.07 miles) is one of the intriguing features of this marvel of engineering with a total
length of 150 miles. With 113 locks on the Yonne River side of the canal and 76 on the Saone River side,
and a complex system of reservoirs and feeder canals the Burgundy Canal remains an intriguing
engineering accomplishment and a wonderful place to enjoy a walk, bike ride, or barge cruise through the
French countryside.
transport produce form the farms of the rich alluvial Burgundy Valley and from farms along the Rhone River.
The engineers started work on the canal in 1727 and completed work in 1832 when barges made the first
crossing. Some cargo still traverses the canal but most traffic is now tour boat cruises on one-week trips or
barges making an extended run through France from the Med. to the Atlantic.
The Village of Pouilly en Auxios, north of Dijon, is the highest point on the canal at 378 meters above sea
level. (1,240 feet)
A three-kilometer tunnel (2.07 miles) is one of the intriguing features of this marvel of engineering with a total
length of 150 miles. With 113 locks on the Yonne River side of the canal and 76 on the Saone River side,
and a complex system of reservoirs and feeder canals the Burgundy Canal remains an intriguing
engineering accomplishment and a wonderful place to enjoy a walk, bike ride, or barge cruise through the
French countryside.
| Barge tours leave from the port of Dijon, go north and then return |
Barge Cruises, Bare Boat or full
crew including a chef Canal Cruises
crew including a chef Canal Cruises
| History of The Burgundy Canal, An Engineering Marvel Conceived in 1607 |
| Burgundy Canal Barge History, France |
Villages along the route
offer hotels and B&Bs
offer hotels and B&Bs
Eleventh century village of Chateneuf-en Auxios
In the 11th Century
hilltop village of
Chateauneuf
-en-Axious small B&Bs,
a village market, and
restaurant offer the
hiker or biker a rest
and refreshment. Many
small farming towns
line the route along the
Burgundy Valley and
the Burgundy Canal
hilltop village of
Chateauneuf
-en-Axious small B&Bs,
a village market, and
restaurant offer the
hiker or biker a rest
and refreshment. Many
small farming towns
line the route along the
Burgundy Valley and
the Burgundy Canal
Hiking Trails along the Burgundy
Canal use the service roads where
mules once pulled the barges
Canal use the service roads where
mules once pulled the barges
How to reach Dijon and the Burgundy Canal by
rail and rental auto from Paris
rail and rental auto from Paris
One week Barge Tours
Out of Dijon
Out of Dijon
| Rotary with yield to traffic in rotary |
| Road showing right of way |
Intersection
with right
of way to
right
with right
of way to
right
Highway or
Expressway
Expressway
No
Passing
zone ends
Passing
zone ends
No Passing
for
commercial
vehicles
for
commercial
vehicles
Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations.
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations.
Information for those renting a vehicle in France
How to reach Dijon and the Burgundy Canal by
rail and rental auto from Paris
rail and rental auto from Paris
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