Did you know? 4 emblematic locks you absolutely must visit

4 locks you must pass through on your licence-free houseboat cruise!

The Fonseranes locks on a Canal du Midi cruise

This is undoubtedly the most impressive lock site in France. Located in Béziers, this series of 7 successive locks forms a spectacular water staircase, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Passing through Fonseranes is both navigating and visiting a monument. It takes time (around 45 minutes to 1 hour), but the setting is unique.

🛠️ CrisBoat's tip: Be on time, as the lock operates at specific times. It's best to arrive a little early and tie up in the waiting area.

The round lock at Agde to cross on a licence-free houseboat on the Canal du Midi

This is the only circular lock in France. It provides a link between three directions (Béziers, Étang de Thau and Agde) in a vessel 29 m in diameter. A jewel of 17th-century river architecture, it's as astonishing to see as it is to navigate. The orientation of the boat changes according to the exit chosen, making the manoeuvre very special.

🛠️ CrisBoat's advice: keep your distance from other boats and follow the lock-keeper's instructions: everything here is in the right alignment.

Navigate the Canal de la Marne au Rhin to discover the Troussey lock

Located near Toul, this lock is not the best known... but it marks the end (or the beginning) of the famous pente d'eau de Saint-Louis-Arzviller, a unique inclined plane in Europe that replaces 17 classic locks. The contrast is striking: after the modernity of the inclined plane, back to a more traditional lock, but one that is steeped in history.

🛠️ CrisBoat tip: take the time to talk to the lock-keeper: he knows the history of the site inside out and is happy to share his anecdotes.

Cruise on the Canal Latéral à la Loire through the Roanne lock

This is one of the largest locks in France, with a height difference of 11.20 metres. It's impressive for its height and the sensation of plunging or climbing into a vertical shaft. The walls are high, the water fills up quickly and the sensations are guaranteed.

🛠️ CrisBoat's advice: Equip yourself with gloves and have two people on board to manage the ropes with precision. The passage is simple, but physical.

Want to cross these structures on a licence-free houseboat cruise?

Whether on the Canal du Midi or elsewhere, each lock tells a story and offers a new way of experiencing river cruising.

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