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Canal Centre

SELF DRIVE RIVER BOAT RENTALS FROM Saint Léger


 

This pleasant stopover with all these shops is the starting point for one-way cruises on the Canal du Center towards Dompierre-Sur-Besbre.

The locks are automatic or electric and most are manned by lock keepers, except on the Canal du Nivernais and the Canal du Centre where some are manual. The locks are closed the 1st of May and the 1st of November.

During the season locks are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and are closed for lunch between 12:00-13:00 (1:00 p.m.).

From June 2025: Navigation is closed at Chagny on the Canal du Centre (between the Saint-Gilles lock and the Crissey lock) due to a leak. Works are required to secure the embankment. Navigation is expected to reopen in March 2026.

From August 18, 2025: navigation will be suspended until further notice on the Canal Latéral à la Loire between km 116 (Aubray Lock 24) and km 182.5 (Maimbray Lock), i.e. between Nevers and Beaulieu (south of Briare), due to insufficient water resources.

On the Canal du Nivernais, there is a ladder of 16 consecutive locks:  l'échelle de Sardy.

Between Saint Jean de Losne and Mâcon, you must only stop at designated moorings, elsewhere you can moor anywhere along the banks in the heart of the countryside.

  • Car: From the North / East: A6 exit 24.1 Beaune, then D974 direction Chagny / Santenay (28 km) - From the South: A6 exit 25 Chalon-sur-Saone North, then D978 direction Autun / Mercurey (20 km )
  • Train: Saint Léger regional train station on Dheune (2 km) - Le Creusot-Montchanin TGV station (17 km)
  • Airport: Lyon St-Exupéry airport (166 km)
  • at St Léger: ATAC supermarket, open monday - saturday 8h30-19h30, sunday 9h-12h30
  • in St. Léger: Tuesday morning
  • Fishing card required. Leisure Fishing, (1 km from the port), 79 Avenue de la gare. http://www.loisir-peche.fr/
  • Central Canal: Most locks are electrified. Opening 9h-12h and 13h-19h

Travelling with CrisBoat

Crisboat has more than 90% of the French fleet of self drive river boats. Entrust us with your desires and your availabilities and we will shape your holidays on the water. Located in the heart of the Vienne, Crisboat is the leader in self driver river boat rental in France. Discover our team, made up of 6 experts ready to take up the challenge to design the cruise that will meet your expectations.

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