Rent a boat to navigate on the Canal du Centre
Boat rental on the Canal du Centre. Discover the highlights of this cruise between Digoin and Chalon-Sur-Saône
From Digoin, several routes are available to you. You can leave for Briare for a river cruise in the heart of Burgundy or for Saint-Jean-de-Losne to navigate on a picturesque route. This is the direction in which we propose to take you.
Let's go for 112 km of navigable waterways. There are two starting points in this navigation area: Digoin and Saint-Léger-Sur-Dheune, where you will find a towpath along the way, so don't forget your bikes! Here are some of the towns and villages you can discover during your cruise.
Cities and villages to discover during your cruise
See the current offersNavigation conditions to rent a boat without a licence on the Canal du Centre in Burgundy
The 112 km long Canal du Centre is narrow and winding. Navigation is simple and pleasant. The Canal has 61 automatic locks. It is an ideal destination for beginners.
To navigate the Canal du Centre by houseboat, you can start your cruise at the base of Digoin or Saint-Léger-Sur-Dheune and take the direction you want. Before starting your river cruise, you will receive a short 1-hour training session to familiarise yourself with your boat without a licence.
- Many castles to visit
- Discovering the wines of the Côtes Chalonnaise
- Bordered by a towpath
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, the 14th of July and the 1rst 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.).
Navigation on the Canal du Nivernais is currently suspended at Cercy la Tour (south of the Canal du Nivernais) until 15 June 2024 due to major maintenance work on a dam. As a result, if you are departing from Decize or Plagny, you can currently only cruise on the Canal Latéral à la Loire, and one-way cruises between Decize and Tannay or between Digoin and Châtillon en Bazois will only be possible for a departure after June 15th.
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.
Possible cruises in The Canal du Centre.
Also to be discovered
Customer testimonials
"An extraordinary experience that we'll be repeating next year."
"auto-translation :''A real joy shared with my grandchildren''"
"We were very well advised by the team at the base, who were very helpful."
"auto-translation :''Everyone was happy with the experience.''"
"auto-translation :''It was magical to share this moment of reunion as a family, living a unique and original experience and meeting passionate and fascinating lock keepers.''"
"auto-translation :''Canal roanne digoin beautiful and wild''"
"auto-translation :''We have adored''"
"auto-translation :''A beautiful experience to renew''"
"auto-translation :''Super very nice''"
"auto-translation :''Quiet, relaxing and exotic''"
"auto-translation :''Rather successful''"
"auto-translation :''Enchanted by our cruise''"
"auto-translation :''Great ! Nothing else to say about our cruise on the Canal de Roanne to Digoin''"
"auto-translation :''This Canal was nice''"
Travelling with Cris Boat
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.
Satisfaction: 4,5 / 5
"Croisière relaxante."