Canal du Nivernais

The Canal du Nivernais links the Loire basin with the Seine basin following approximately the course of the river Yonne in a south to north direction.

Beginning in the village of Saint-Léger-des-Vignes, the canal traverses the department of the Nièvre reaching its half-way point at the town of Clamecy and finishes in the town of Auxerre, situated on the River Yonne.

Statistics

The canal is 180 km (110 mi) long and comprises 110 locks. It is fed at its summit at Port Brulé by a feeder canal from the Pannecière reservoir for which was notably constructed an elegant aqueduct at Montreuillon. In its northerly course it is regularly fed by the Yonne and southwards by the Aron. The summit canal pound also comprises three tunnels. Although the feeder canal arrives at Port Brulé, the top of the canal is generally considered to be at Baye at the southern end of the tunnels.

History

Construction of the canal began in 1784, initially to aid the 'flottage' (floating) of timber from the forests of the Morvan national park to Paris, via Clamecy and Auxerre. However, in reality, the canal was quickly established as an important communication route, carrying timber, building stone, grain and wine out of the region, and bringing in coal. It contributed significantly to the economic development of the Nièvre, particularly the area known as the 'Valleys of the Yonne' of which the small town of Clamecy is the capital, and also to the quarries at Chevroches and Dornecy. The canal du Nivernais importance in this respect, faded with the arrival of the railway in the 19th century.

Leisure and tourism

Today, the canal is exclusively reserved for navigation by leisure craft. A number of Boat Hire companies have departure bases situated on the canal at Auxerre, Vermenton on the short side-canal, Châtel-Censoir, Coulanges-sur-Yonne, Tannay, Marigny-sur-Yonne, Corbigny, Baye, Châtillon-en-Bazois and Decize. There are also a number of hotel barges, cruising between Auxerre and Clamecy.

Sights

The majority of tourists begin their cruise at the historic city of Auxerre after which, the canal winds south through the department of the Yonne countryside past a number of small, picturesque villages and hamlets, departing from and rejoining the river Yonne on this ascending leg. Notable villages include Bailly with its famous wine cellars situated in caves, Vincelles and the nearby wine village of Irancy, Cravant, Mailly-la-Ville, Mailly-le-Château, Châtel-Censoir and Coulanges-sur-Yonne. Amongst the most spectacular sites are the Rochers du Saussois (photo), a series of 50 metre-high limestone cliffs beside the river. Shortly after Coulanges, the canal leaves the department of the Yonne and enters the department of the Nièvre. At roughly the half-way point, the canal passes through a landscape of limestone outcrops and undulating farmland until arriving at the medieval town of Clamecy. The Romain Rolland Museum in Clamecy houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to the former industrial and communicatory importance of the canal. Those interested in the history of the canal will be able to visit the now unused parts which were replaced by a stretch of the river. After Clamecy boats cease to navigate on the Yonne and it is canal only until the summit. The Canal continues to rise, passing through the countryside of the valleys of the Yonne, through more villages and hamlets including Corbigny, the only major town for some distance, the last 12 kilometres featuring 28 locks including the 16 comprising the "échelle de Sardy" which lead to the summit at Baye, then Châtillon-en-Bazois with its 'chateau' overlooking the port and Cercy-la-Tour and its giant 'Madonna' statue, the last significantly sized town before the canal ends at Saint-Léger-des-Vignes adjacent to Decize.

References and external links