Canal de Bourgogne

The Canal de Bourgogne stretches for some 243 kilometres through the gentle hills of Burgundy, linking the Yonne with the Saône since its completion in the 1830s. First conceived in the 16th and 17th centuries and constructed from 1775 onwards with royal and regional support, it was originally intended to connect the Atlantic with the Mediterranean; today this historic waterway is devoted mainly to leisure. With its astonishing total of 189 locks and the impressive summit tunnel at Pouilly-en-Auxois, every houseboat journey becomes a varied adventure. Shaded towpaths invite cyclists and walkers to explore vineyards, châteaux and quiet villages, while boats glide past peaceful harbours, old lock-keepers’ cottages and classic Burgundian scenery – perfect for relaxed days on the water, waterside picnics and immersing oneself in the region’s history and way of life.