This particular boating holiday itinerary on the Canal de Bourgogne is a one-way route between the Nicols bases at Brienon-sur Armançon and Venarey-les-Laumes. Your canal boat journey will take you to some of the most remarkable sites in Burgundy – from the famous canal bridge of Saint-Florentin and the Tonnerrois and Chablis vineyards, to the castles and chateaux of Tanlay and Ancy-le-Granc and the historic site of the battle of Alésia.
The Nicols base at Brienon, located at the northern-most end of the Canal de Bourgogne, is the perfect starting point for a number of different boating holiday itineraries as it is the meeting point of the waterways of the Canal de Bourgogne, River Yonne and Canal du Nivernais.
Brienon: 13th and 16th century church, Oval shaped historic bath, the Perched Theatre in the old town hall - a laureate of the Regional Heritage Award.
Saint-Florentin: Canal surrounded by two rivers (Armance and Armancon), Church with beautiful stained glass windows and a terrace which offers panoramic views across the old town and the valley.
Tonnerre: Old town built on a hill, The Fosse Dionne (old fountain and baths), Church of Saint-Pierre built on a rock terrace, l'hôtel Dieu (one of the largest medieval hospitals dating from 1293), l'hôtel d'Uzès: the historic mansion and birthplace of the knight Eon.
Tanlay: Renaissance buildings of the Abbey of Quincy and Château de Tanlay, 9-hole golf course in the grounds of Château de Tanlay!
Ancy-le-Franc: Château d'Ancy-le-Franc locate on the banks of the canal, various museums of art, pottery and ceramic
Ravières: 16th century castle, old town hall, Saint-Pantaléon church
Buffon: The Grande Forge of Buffon
Montbard: Abbey of Fontenay (listed as UNESCO World Heritage), Waterpark
Venarey: Battle site of Alésia, ‘Museoparc’ of Alésia, statue of Vercingetorix
Your one-way boating holiday on the Canal de Bourgogne is almost at an end. It is time to think about returning your Nicols canal boat to the base in Venarey-les-Laumes.
A memorable holiday for all!
We got to see so many fascinating places of interest on our holiday - from the historical forges at Buffon and the UNESCO awarded Abbey of Fontenay near Montbard, to the Alésia battle site and castles at Tanlay and Ancy-le-Franc. The younger members of our crew also loved the watersports centre at Montbard.
Sylvie, Fours