A guide to the main canals in France

by Terry Higgs Freelance Writer

The French canals are one of the best places for a relaxing and slow boat holiday. There are plenty of wonderful destinations and you will have a great time exploring the intricate waterways. Here is a quick look at the best places to visit while on a canal/boating holiday in the beautiful French countryside.

Canal de Roanne a Digion: This canal connects the larger canals to Roanne and is a beautiful way to explore the French countryside. It was originally built to facilitate textile trade but today is a big hit with tourists. This stretch is very calm route now with hardly any traffic. The canal is perfect for amateur sailors and navigation will never be a problem here. You can also visit the town of Roanne, which is a lovely place with a calm harbour located close to the main town.
Canal du Centre: The Canal du Centre is actually a collection of different smaller canals that connect the Siene to the Saone. It is a very scenic waterway and you will see a number of vineyards along it. To explore this canal, it is best to start from the bridge in Digion, which provides great views of the entire surrounding countryside.
Canal de Bourgogne: This vast canal lies between the Siene and the Rhone rivers. It is the highest canal in the country and passes through almost 200 locks. There is also a long tunnel present at the end. Along the canal you will find beautiful architecture with a number of churches, buildings and forts. It is one of the easiest canals to cruise and the idyllic scenery will keep you completely occupied.
Canal du Midi: This canal was built in the 17th century and is an actual UNESCO World Heritage site. Due to the scenic views and calm waters, it is also one of the most popular cruising zones of France. It flows along the foothills of the Pyrennees Mountains and offers a great stretch for navigation. There are also many beautiful towns along the way, including Carcassonne, Castelnaudry and Beziers.
Canal du Nivernais: The Canal du Nivernais starts on the river Yvonne and goes on all the way to Paris. It is one of the well-maintained canals of the region and you will have no problem sailing along it. This stretch is particularly recommended for wildlife enthusiasts as there are many species of birds to be spotted here.

Canal trips and boat trips needn't be taken for the whole duration of your holiday and day trips can be taken on the Seine River near Paris very reasonably, these needn't cost you a fortune and leave you needing a payday loan to cover the cost. I would recommend shopping around online prior to visiting France. You will find plenty of deals. A great tip is to look out for deals with websites like Groupon. I've see some fantastic bargains, some even more than half price.