cruising route Briare / Decize / Chatillon

Briare - Decize - Chatillon en Bazois - 184 Km - 41 Locks - 33 h of navigation - 7 Nights (1 week)

From Briare to Châtillon sur Loire, 9 km, 0 Lock(s), 1.2 h of navigation

Stopover : Briare > Châtillon sur Loire

Briare

This town is especially known for its magnificent aqueduct; probably the most beautiful in France.

Châtillon-sur-Loire

This charming town features a network of old lanes, the ruins of 12th century Gaillard Castle, and a Protestant church.

From Châtillon sur Loire to St Satur, 33 km, 6 Lock(s), 5.6 h of navigation

Stopover : Châtillon sur Loire > Belleville > Cosne Cours > St Satur

Sancerre

This town revolves around wine. In the town century you can find the Sancerre Dovetail, which brings together a number of wine-growers from the region and offers a guided tour and a tasting of the best Sancerre has to offer.

Châtillon-sur-Loire

This charming town features a network of old lanes, the ruins of 12th century Gaillard Castle, and a Protestant church.

From St Satur to Marseilles les Aubigny, 34 km, 9 Lock(s), 6.3 h of navigation

Stopover : St Satur > La Charité sur Loire > Marseilles les Aubigny

Marseilles-lès-Aubigny

This small village was one of the first French river ports of the 19th century.

Sancerre

La Charité-sur-Loire

Upon arrival, the stone bridge sets the tone for this village's past; it is one of only two original bridges on the Loire. Also designated a 'city of books', La Charité-sur-Loire is known above all for the Basilica of Sainte-Croix, which was one of the largest religious buildings in France, before various wars partially destroyed the landmark.

the Sancerre

From Marseilles les Aubigny to Nevers, 25 km, 3 Lock(s), 3.9 h of navigation

Stopover : Marseilles les Aubigny > Plagny > Nevers

Marseilles-lès-Aubigny

This small village was one of the first French river ports of the 19th century.

Nevers

Considered to be one of the first castle in the Loire, Château Ducal towers over the Loire valley. The Cathedral of Saint-Cyr is also worth the detour.

From Nevers to Decize, 32 km, 4 Lock(s), 5.1 h of navigation

Stopover : Nevers > Fleury sur Loire > Decize

Nevers

Considered to be one of the first castle in the Loire, Château Ducal towers over the Loire valley. The Cathedral of Saint-Cyr is also worth the detour.

Décize

Surplombant l’île rocheuse de la Loire, Decize est une ancienne cité fortifiée qui offre aux visiteurs une halte enrichissante en découvertes patrimoniales. Avec cinq ponts à traverser, la ville est un point stratégique pour les voies de communication. Cette situation géographique unique en fait une escale incontournable au centre de la France. La ville a prospéré grâce au transport fluvial de marchandises et à la navigation de plaisance, avec le Port de la Jonction et ses 80 anneaux comme principal ambassadeur. Decize est aussi surnommée «Le Paradis des pêcheurs» en raison de sa richesse en poissons, offrant de belles surprises de toutes tailles tels que le sandre, le chevesne, la perche, le brochet et le silure.

From Decize to Panneçot, 29 km, 10 Lock(s), 5.9 h of navigation

Stopover : Decize > Cercy la Tour > Panneçot

Decize

Situated at the confluence of the Loire, the Canal du Nivernais and the Canal Latéral à la Loire, this town resembles an island. The Church of Saint-Aré - with its Merovingian crypt - and the clock tower, are the most striking landmarks in Decize.

Cercy-la-Tour

This village takes its name from the Tower of the old feudal castle, of which only ruins now remain. The village is pleasant, especially when strolling the small lanes leading to a terrace which overlooks the whole valley.

From Panneçot to Châtillon en Bazois, 22 km, 9 Lock(s), 4.7 h of navigation

Stopover : Panneçot > Châtillon en Bazois

Châtillon-en-Bazois

One visit not to be missed is to the castle of Châtillon-en-Bazois, built on a limestone spur in the 10th century.

La crypte de l’église d’Alluy

Pour une immersion dans l’histoire religieuse locale, explorez cette crypte romane datant du Moyen-Âge avec ses peintures murales bien conservées.

Château de Châtillon-En-Bazois

Cette demeure familiale chargée d’histoire, avec ses meubles d’époque et ses jardins classés «Jardin Remarquable » vous transporteront dans le temps.

L’église Saint-Jean-Baptiste

Admirez son vitrail de la Sainte Famille par Lysiane Goeman, restauré en 2020, et explorez son architecture fascinante.

Bike

Tow paths provide an ideal place to ride your bike

The Locks

2 type(s) of lock(s) on The Canal Latéral à la Loire/Briare

Manual locks with a lock-keeper
Automatic locks