1 week river cruise in Burgundy on the Canal Latéral à la Loire

Discover our one-week itinerary for a cruise in Burgundy on the Canal Latéral à la Loire

How about a 1 week river cruise in Burgundy on the Canal Latéral à la Loire? Burgundy is bursting with cultural and natural heritage. On the programme: relaxation, canal-bridge crossings, visits to vineyards, not forgetting the magnificent scenery this beautiful region has to offer!

All set? Here's our 7-day programme for a cruise from Briare to Digoin. 197 kilometres, 37 locks and 34 hours of navigation!

Day 1: Briare to Châtillon sur Loire, 9 km, 0 locks, 1.2 hours' houseboat trip

Our houseboat trip begins in Briare, a charming little town on the banks of the canal. After a short training session, you're ready to enjoy your houseboat cruise on the Canal Latéral à la Loire. You'll start your cruise by crossing the Briare Canal Bridge, one of France's finest engineering structures, designed by Gustave Eiffel. At 662 metres long and suspended 11 metres above the Loire, it is one of the largest canal bridges in the world. Once you're on top of it, you'll have a breathtaking view of the Loire! If you want to discover Briare, we recommend you visit the church of Saint-Etienne and its mosaics, the old lock-keeper's house, as well as the museums of mosaics and enamels, the two seascapes and the canal bridge. Don't forget to take advantage of the Trousse-Bois nature park for a peaceful getaway before setting off again.

To finish this first day of cruising in Burgundy on the Canal Latéral à la Loire, set off for Châtillon-sur-Loire. This first leg is relatively short, allowing you to familiarise yourself with your houseboat. Enjoy the calm waters of the canal and the picturesque scenery of the Loire.

Day 2: From Châtillon sur Loire to Sancerre, 33 km, 6 locks, 5.6 hours' sailing on a houseboat

On this second day of river cruising in Burgundy, take time to discover Châtillon-Sur-Loire. This small town offers a rich historical heritage and outdoor activities along the Loire. We recommend exploring the Notre-Dame priory church, the Sainte-Croix bell tower and the Benedictine garden with its ruins of the former Saint-Laurent church. From the Mantelot lock, two signposted footpaths offer the chance to discover the beautiful "Ile d'Ousson", a natural site of almost 70 hectares along the Loire, perfect for a picnic before heading back to Sancerre!

Day 3: From Sancerre to Marseilles-lès-Aubigny, 34 km, 9 locks, 6.3 hours' sailing on a houseboat

This third day of cruising by houseboat without a licence will delight wine lovers! Sancerre, perched on the left bank of the Loire, is renowned for its vineyards and hills offering breathtaking panoramic views. With its 366 wine estates, the Sancerre AOC appellation is proudly represented, offering you a variety of choices for tastings, always in moderation. The Maison des Sancerre offers a host of fun activities to introduce you to the world of wine. Explore the medieval village by following the Ariadne's thread route and don't miss the Tour des Fiefs for a breathtaking panoramic view of the vineyards and the Loire. It's a bit of an uphill climb, but well worth it!

Here are a few Sancerre wineries not to be missed if you hire a houseboat in Burgundy.

• Domaine Vacheron - 02.48.54.09.93
• Domaine Fouassier - 02.48.54.02.34
• Domaine les Chaumes - 03.86.39.15.87

Day 4: From Marseilles-lès-Aubigny to Fleury-Sur-Loire, 45 km, 6 locks, 7.2 hours' sailing on a houseboat

Today's itinerary offers you the chance to stop off in Nevers, where history blends with medieval charm. Visit the cathedral of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte with its colourful modern stained-glass windows, admire the splendid ducal palace, take a tour of the ramparts and wander through Nevers' preserved medieval streets, which continue to charm visitors.

Day 5: Fleury-Sur-Loire to Gannay, 27 km, 4 locks, 4.4 hours' sailing on a houseboat

Today, we invite you to visit Décize, an ancient fortified town offering visitors an enriching stop-off for heritage discoveries. Take advantage of the guided tours to discover the ruins of the castle of the Counts of Nevers, the underground galleries, the Convent of the Minimes and the church of Saint-Aré. Décize is also nicknamed "A fisherman's paradise" because of its wealth of fish, offering surprises of all sizes such as pike-perch, chub, perch, pike and catfish. So don't forget your fishing rods!

Day 6: Gannay to Pierrefitte, 34 km, 9 locks, 6.3 hours' houseboat trip

One of the great things about locating a houseboat in Burgundy is the pleasure of doing nothing - that's what holidays are all about. Just moor up somewhere, in the middle of nature, with no-one in sight, and enjoy the peace and quiet!

Day 7: Pierrefitte to Digoin, 15 km, 3 locks, 2.6 hours' sailing on a houseboat

Your Burgundy river cruise on the Canal Latéral à la Loire is already drawing to a close, but enjoy the peace and beauty of Burgundy one last time! In Digoin, you can take your houseboat over the Pont-Canal, an architectural feat, or visit the Musée de la Céramique to discover the world of ceramics, where the skills of earthenware makers live on with excellence and creativity, honoured by the internationally recognised "Made in Digoin" label.

We hope this programme will inspire you for your next holiday. It is, of course, just one of many itineraries! Burgundy has many exceptional sites to discover and activities to do. So don't wait any longer to hire a houseboat in Burgundy!