Digoin to Nevers: July 19^th

Nevers to Briare: July 26^th

DIGOIN  to NEVERS

 
On your arrival at the Barge you will have time to settle in before dinner. The following morning we set out on our cruise along the Canal Latéral à la Loire. Immediately we cross the celebrated aqueduct over the River Loire, pass the junction of the Digoin-Roanne Canal to moor in a remote and quiet setting by Avril-sur-Loire. As we continue along the canal we pass small villages with red pantiled roofs on houses clustering round a Romanesque church or a small château, small farms and distant woods, now and then catching a glimse of the infant Loire. At Decize we turn onto an arm to drop down to the Loire itself, mooring by this busy little town. Our cruise now continues to Nevers, capital of the Nivernais, with its great Cathedral, 16^th Century Ducal Palace and cosmopolitan shops, which we have time to visit before our farewell dinner aboard Merganser.

Basilique-La Charité sur Loire

Before setting off on our cruise along the Canal Latéral à la Loire there is time to visit Nevers, capital of the Nivernais, with its great Cathedral soaring up majestically over the old town.   Leaving    Nevers, we reach  the  River Allier, sailing across it on a splendid stone aqueduct, the river Loire itself close by on our right hand. A deep double lock brings us down from the aqueduct and, passing Marseilles les Aubigny, where we swing close to the wide river, we approach La Charité sur Loire, an ancient town dominated by the Basilique Nôtre Dame (pictured above), one of the most remarkable examples of Romanesque architecture in Burgundy. Mooring in a small village close by we visit La Charité before continuing our journey. We now pass through lightly wooded country offering wide views of this beautiful river valley, each  village we pass showing us old churches and sleepy red tiled houses. Reaching Sancerre,  we tour this town with its narrow winding streets and visit the interesting wine museum. After crossing the spectacular Briare aqueduct over the River Loire we arrive in Briare itself, mooring in the basin where in former times barges gathered before attempting the difficult crossing of the River Loire.

 
Digoin Aqueduct

Click here to see the video !

Barge cruising France and Belgium - home page

French and Belgian barge cruise itineraries

Cruise barge Merganser: features, cabin plan