During your cruise in Burgundy, discover the hidden treasures along the Canal Latéral à la Loire

The highlights of your river cruise in Burgundy

Imagine yourself on a houseboat, in the heart of Burgundy, where history, nature and culture intertwine to offer you an unforgettable holiday. Welcome to the Canal Latéral à la Loire, an emblematic waterway. To help you prepare for your next river cruise in Burgundy, we've put together a list of the must-sees during your houseboat trip on the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Ready to get on board?

Towns and villages to see during your river cruise in Burgundy

As you cruise through Burgundy, you'll discover some of the pretty towns and villages that line the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Here's a small selection of our favourites!

• Briare: Nicknamed the "City of Enamels", Briare has 14 bridges and 7 locks, creating an exceptional network of waterways. The Briare Canal and its canal bridge are the town's main attractions, making it a popular stop-off point for river tourism enthusiasts.
• Sancerre: Perched on the left bank of the Loire, Sancerre is famous for its vineyards and hills offering breathtaking views. With its 366 wine estates, the AOC Sancerre appellation is proudly represented here. Why not treat yourself to a wine tasting in one of the mansions along the canal?
• Nevers: Nestling on the banks of the Loire, Nevers offers a harmonious blend of urban life and nature. Explore the town and its emblematic monuments such as the cathedral, the ducal palace, the churches and the Porte du Croux. Don't miss the earthenware workshops of the famous Nœud Vert, symbols of tradition and modernity.
• Decize: Overlooking the rocky island of the Loire, Decize is an ancient fortified town that offers visitors an enriching stop-off for heritage discoveries. With five bridges to cross, the town is a strategic point for communication routes. Decize 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.

Bridge-crossing on the Canal Latéral à la Loire by houseboat

When you hire a houseboat in Burgundy, you'll be able to cross some remarkable engineering structures, including the Briare and Digoin bridges!

• Briare canal bridge: The Briare canal bridge is one of France's most beautiful engineering structures, designed by Gustave Eiffel and Daydé Pillé. It was opened to navigation in 1642, after 40 years of construction. At 662 metres long, suspended 11 metres above the Loire, it is one of the largest canal bridges in the world, surpassing even the Eiffel Tower in weight. Whether you cross it on foot or by houseboat, you can enjoy the breathtaking views over the Loire and Briare.
• Pont-Canal de Digoin: The Pont-Canal de Digoin is a must-see in the town, offering breathtaking views over the Loire. Built between 1832 and 1836 under the direction of engineer Jullien, it allows the Canal Latéral à la Loire to cross the river. This architectural feat is accessible only to bicycles, pleasure boats and pedestrians, offering everyone a remarkable view of the Loire, one of Europe's last wild rivers.

Looking for original things to do on the Canal Latéral à la Loire?

As well as monuments, châteaux and estates to visit, the Canal Latéral à la Loire offers original activities for everyone! Here's our selection:

• If you want to stop off in Briare during your houseboat cruise on the Canal Latéral à la Loire, we recommend a walk through the Trousse-Bois Nature Park. This 57-hectare area is made up of oak trees and a pond. A pontoon bridge allows you to discover the life of the wetland and its rich fauna, including many species of birds. You can also download an online riddle trail, ideal for a fun walk with children.
• Visiting Sancerre? Don't miss the Maison des Sancerre, offering a journey to the heart of Sancerre wines. On the programme: a fun and imaginative discovery of the Sancerre wine appellation. Animated relief map, 4D cinema, augmented reality, videos, activities for children and wine tasting. Everything has been created to make the world of wine accessible to everyone.
• The island of Caqueret de Décize offers a fun nature trail. There are 14 information panels lining the trail, showing the typical plant and animal species that live on the island. This fun walk will enable everyone to get to know and understand the way of life of these species.
• In Dompierre Sur Besbre, you can spend an afternoon at Parc Le Pal. This park offers more than 25 sensory attractions and is home to more than 500 animals from different continents. A fun activity for young and old alike.

The Canal Latéral à la Loire is full of treasures to discover, so it's hard for us to tell you everything! These suggestions will help you prepare for your next river cruise in Burgundy. But don't worry, there are plenty more, so it's up to you to discover them by hiring a houseboat in Burgundy and sharing your adventure with us!