Through the French Canals: The Complete Planning Guide to Cruising the French Waterways

by David Jefferson

Overview

Through the French Canals has probably tempted more people to explore the beautiful waterways of France than any other book. First published in 1970, it's been the key authoritative title on cruising the French canals ever since.

The revised new edition is the essential comprehensive planning guide for anyone wanting to cruise through the French waterways or take their boat from the English Channel through to the Mediterranean via the inland route. It includes: over 50 routes fully described and illustrated, with positions of locks, towns and villages through routes from the English Channel and Atlantic to the Mediterranean, plus distances, and assessment of suitable boats for the canals. It also provides dimensions of locks and operating times, details of bridge heights, canal depths, fuelling points, waterway signals, a guide to the cost of living, shopping and stores, sources of weather information, haltes for overnight stops, and ports de plaisance.

As well as new photography, the new edition is updated throughout with new information on local facilities, new haltes and ports de plaisance, new VNF License fees, revisions to cruise hire companies, updated references to holding tanks, the availability of diesel and costs of cruising and much more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472981752
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	04/15/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
File size:	147 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

David Jefferson has researched the French waterways extensively, both in his own boat which he keeps in France, and in Le Boat cruisers. He has written for leading sailing and motorboat magazines in the UK. He has updated the previous six editions of this book.
David Jefferson has researched the French waterways extensively, both in his own boat, which he kept in France for many years, and in Le Boat cruisers. He has written for leading sailing and motor boat magazines and is the author of Through the French Canals, now in its 14th edition.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the 14th edition vi

Part 1 1

1 Summary of route details, with map 1

2 Through routes to the Mediterranean 7

3 Cruising the inland waterways 19

4 Choosing the right boat 23

5 Equipment 30

6 Planning the cruise 36

7 In the waterways of France 38

8 Locks 46

9 Cost of living, shopping and stores 55

10 Useful information 58

Part 2 The Routes 67

Section 1 The Lower Seine (la Seine aval) 68

Section 2 Bassin de la Seine 90

Section 3 Bassin du Centre-Est 124

Section 4 Rhône - Saône Basin 144

SECTION 5 The Northern Region 174

Section 6 Bassin du Nord-Est 210

Section 7 Le Bassin du Rhin 232

Section 8 Brittany and Pays-de-la-Loire 246

Section 9 Entre Deux Mers - the Atlantic the Mediterranean and the Rivers Baïse, Lot and Charente 278

Bibliography 313

Index 316

Editorial Reviews

A must for yachtsmen wishing to use the French inland waterway system...a fascinating read.” —Yachting Monthly

“highly professional, beautifully-presented” —Waterways World

“The bible for those wishing to head for the Med” —Gaffer's Log

“this book covers virtually all you need to know'” —Towpath Talk

“This is the 14th edition of a book subtitled 'The complete planning guide for cruising the French waterways' and that's very much what it is: a planning guide. It gives the readers everything they need for the basic planning at a waterway level - locks and their opening times, craft dimensions, VHF channels, boatyards and facilities - plus enough of a description to give a feel for each waterway. And for those new to French waterways there's a lengthy general section covering signage, operation of locks, useful contact details and basic French vocabularies covering what you might need in dealing with boatyards, waterways terminology, food shopping or discussing the weather.” —Canal Boat

“This book lives up to its subtitle, providing excellent information, and route-planning data, making it the right choice for those setting out to plan a first foray into French inland waters.” —Cruising

“An excellent overall introduction to these popular and varied waterways, particularly suitable for the first-time visitor or those who have some experience but are looking for new areas to cruise...Where this book really excels is for long distance route planning, with more than 50 routes described and illustrated...This guide, already a bestseller, is surely the first port of call for anyone considering navigating these popular French waterways.” —Towpath Talk

From the Publisher

This is a must for cruisers who someday plan to cruise the great inland waterways of Europe. Written by a man who has been there, done that and got the shirt! Lots of charts and updated info.

Latitudes & Attitudes

...a thoroughly user-friendly guidebook now in an updated, expanded, and illustrated eleventh edition. This 320-page paperback is highly portable and indispensable for anyone wanting to cruise along stunning French scenery as viewed from its canals, rivers, and other inland waterways.

Midwest Book Review