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Suggested cruising options Venarey*
Discover the Canal de Bourgogne and the Renaissance

One week
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DEPART :
Venarey-les-Laumes
By :
Tanlay
ARRIVE :
Venarey-les-Laumes
DISTANCE :
124 KM
TIME :
31h00
LOCKS :
68
from 998 EUROS**
BOOK
* Cruise suggestions: non contractual information
** All prices are calculated on the basis of a two day weekend in low season.
  • 01-venarey-base-location-peniche-02
  • 02-alesia-museoparc-02
    Muséoparc Alésia & Vercingétorix
  • 02-alesia-museoparc-04
    Battle re-enactments at Muséoparc Alésia
  • 02-ambiance-bourgogne-11
    A lock on the Burgundy Canal
  • 02-montbard-abbaye-fontenay-02
    Fontenay Abbey, a UNESCO heritage site
  • 03-montbard-abbaye-fontenay-04
    Fontenay Abbey
  • 04-montbard-abbaye-fontenay-06
    Fontenay Abbey: the cloister
  • 04-montbard-amphitrite-centre-nautique-01
    Swimming centre at Montbard
  • 05-ambiance-bourgogne-01
  • 06-ancy-le-franc-chateau-bourgogne-02
  • 07-gastronomie-bourgogne-la-gougere
    Excellent Burgundy foods: Gougères - an airy cheese puff
  • 08-tanlay-chateau
    Tanlay Castle (Renaissance XVI)
  • 09-tanlay-parcours-de-golf
    Tanlay Golf Course (9 holes)
  • 10-ambiance-bourgogne-13

Description of
the boating holiday

Hire a canal boat and discover the treasures of Burgundy

Immerse yourself in the history of France’s Burgundy region with a week-long self-drive boating holiday. Your adventure along the Canal de Bourgogne leads you to the Renaissance castles of Ancy-le-Franc and Tanlay. You’ll also find typical French villages to explore and an abundance of local specialities to try such as snails Burgundy style, nonettes (a small gingerbread cake) and eggs en meurette (poached eggs in red wine sauce).

Departure base

At just an hour from Paris by TGV (2 hours if by road), our Venarey-les-Laumes base is located on the Canal de Bourgogne, which is part of one of France’s most famous networks of waterways. No previous boating experience or licence is needed and there are a number of canal boat holiday itineraries on offer - whether you’re travelling for just a weekend, a short break or a longer holiday.

Places to see and things to do

Venarey: Battle site of Alésia, ‘Museoparc’ of Alésia, statue of Vercingetorix

Montbard: Abbey of Fontenay (listed as UNESCO World Heritage), Waterpark

Buffon: The Grande Forge of Buffon

Ravières: 16th century castle, old town hall, Saint-Pantaléon church

Ancy-le-Franc: Château d'Ancy-le-Franc locate on the banks of the canal, various museums of art, pottery and ceramic

Tanlay: Renaissance buildings of the Abbey of Quincy and Château de Tanlay, 9-hole golf course in the grounds of Château de Tanlay!

After cruising as far as Tanlay on the Canal de Bourgogne it is time to think about the return leg of your journey. Look out again for the favourite places you found so far, or maybe stop off at some new ones as you cruise back to the starting base at Venarey-les-Laumes.

Canal boats available

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They tried it and love it

Holiday reviews from Venarey

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The ideal way to disconnect from everyday life!
Our break on the waterways was the best way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We spent a week enjoy the peace of the canal and survived without the internet or TV! Precious family time for sure.

Marie-Christine, Niort

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