French Canals to the Mediterranean
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 พ.ย. 2022
- French Canals to the Mediterranean video is based on my book and provides all the information you need to plan this lovely passage through France.
You can get the book 'French Canal Routes to the Mediterranean' as a digital download from my website www.gentlesailing.com and there is a link to a company which will convert the file to book form - hard copy - for around £5.... this book has sold over 3,000 copies and is probably the most popular on the subject... - กีฬา
Interesting. It has all changed since 1979 when I did the 3 month trip from Calais, Paris where I spenta week tied up on the left bank opposite Notre Dame. Probably not allowed anymore. Canal de Borgogne. Lyon. The river was not canalised for the next 30k about. Memory is vague but it was a fast passage and were advised to have a pilot on board. Not easy to findcat that time as the commercial traffic and I had been held up for 2 weeks because of the lack of water in the river. Avignon and the canal du Rhone a Sete through the Camargue. It was all fantastic and slow. 36ft timber yawl with 8hp Stuart aturner petrol engine. Its all I could afford at 25.
Now I have a much better boat. An S&S 48 and I have been in Asia for 15 years. Its wonderful.
This is something I have always wanted to do. I have a Jennau 12.3m Sunfizz (but built in the USA under the brand; O'day). Currently in Thailand on the hard. Very interesting.
Your vlogs are always so entertaining. Thank you . Not been here for ages. But totally entertained. Tkx
Welcome back Trevor - So pleased you like the videos
A good video and book no doubt, I’ve travelled the canals by the routes you describe several times (Moody 31 twin keel) a very nice experience. The Canal du Midi is beautiful but is unfortunately ruined by the ‘party boats’ driven by unqualified drunken idiots (students & stag/hen parties). Once on the proper quieter canals the lock keepers are very professional & friendly & either they or their wives have a side line of trying to sell you something, homemade wine, jam bread, home grown fruit or vegetables, even one with the hurdy-gurdy music machine that plays Ump-pa-pa music while you transit the lock and then you throw a few coins in a bucket as you depart the ‘Ecluse’ puts a smile on your face. On the whole a pleasant experience and you’ll get a love of French wine 😄, a nice way to get to the Med early spring or late autumn. I enjoy your videos, thank for producing them.
Thanks for the update Mark... I too love the canals -
There cannot be a better video anywhere on the net. Well done sir. Very informative and enjoyable hour.
So pleased you found it useful Dave. Thank you for watching
This was so interesting. I will be having a look at all your work. Thank you.
Glad you liked the video Phillip
Love your channel. Wealth of info as always. Cheers from Canada
Much appreciated! So pleased you like the channel - in Canada!
Lovely introduction Michael, rather glad I've done the interior of France by Motorbike while Touring Many times, so looking forward to Coastol hopping my way down to the Med (well to Gibraltar really, then Cape Verde hopefully ) in my next boat, and I'm really looking forward to buying and downloading your Guide to that route then. Lots to look forward to. Best Wishes and Fair Winds. Bob. 👍⛵️
Sounds like a great plan Bob.. sure you will love the coast hopping..
Gib will welcome you I'm sure the...
Fair winds
Many thanks for your video. Incredibly informative
Glad it was helpful!
Very informative description! Eye-opening and thorough.
So pleased you found it interesting... thanks for watching
I watched this again today. You really have a lovely lilt to your voice.
It's so much more relaxing than the sometimes frightful business of sailing.
I will be making this trip in 2024, with a bit of luck.
One of the reasons I have always enjoyed the canals is that they are so much more relaxing than sailing! Just enough challenge to stop it becoming boring but none of 'the stark terror' that is very occasionally present sailing the 7 seas!
Bet you really enjoy your 2004 trip south!
@@SailingGently Thanks for the reply. I am planning to take my old but fit mother on the trip, so there should be at least some 'stark terror' on the canals.
@@the-selfish-meme7585 Define Old? No please don't!!!! I am sure she will love it... In my book I describe how to fit the bows mooring line through a block on the bows and lead it back to the cockpit so both lines can be controlled from there... and a sharp knife stowed in the cockpit but then I am a born coward!! Have a super time...
2024 better hurry up before nato clowns ruins world.
Better safe to have pirate flagg whit you too then
Nice one man. Thoroughly enjoyed that.
Glad to hear it! Thank you for watching the video
Just bought our first boat and this year we plan to stay around the English Coast learning her ways. Next year I was planning a trip to the Med but she is a displacement hull Motor Sailer 24ft LOA with a draft of only 0.8 metres. I was a little concerned about the trip down as my Captain (SWMBO) is not a sailor and will not be able to take a watch so it was always going to be coastal hopping on a daily basis in a shallow draft bilge keel less suited to Atlantic swells than inland waters. However, I really like the idea of the canals and watching your video brought back memories of all the places we have visited in France (we absolutely love the country and have toured it by motorbike and two seat roadster for the past 20 years) Listening to you speak, I think we will definitely do the canals and not even worry if we don't reach the Med at all. Very informative video, thanks.
Dear Mike and Lucy,
Sounds like you are getting a lot of pleasure out of your boat... I had a bilge keeler for a few years and took her down to the canaries before returning her to the UK via the French Canals. She performed well in the Atlantic swell and that never concerned me...
Planning to use the French Canals sounds really good... For the last weeks I have been doing a total re-write of my French Canal Routes to the Mediterranean book - www.gentlesailing.com/
and will publish very shortly so if you are thinking of buying it to plan your trip hold off for a week or two as the new (12th) edition has a lot more to offer than the current version.
So pleased you liked the video and thank you for watching it.
Michael
Maybe one day I'll do this. Thanks, fascinating.
It really is a fun trip Kev....
Thank you for this video. We want to go back from the Med to Holland through the canals in a few years from now. There almost no video's about this. I gathered my info bu seeing a lots of video's from other people and picked out what I wanted to know.
Hope it was helpful.... There is a nice route through the Ardennes if I remember correctly - ends up in Maastricht
@@SailingGently yes. We will take that one. Thanks again
As you reach Chalon sur Saône, try turning north along the Saône up to Verdun sur le Doubs. Explore the area up to Seurre then resume your trip south.
Thank you Nunya... I did one time come down from the Ardennes to nearer the source of the Saone and found it lovely...
I last did all these canals southwards from le Havre via Paris, including coming back from the Med via the Canal du Midi in 1959/60 when I was a kid, in a 48 ft motor yacht. Guess things have changed a bit since then...there were only three massive Rhone locks then. So to do it again these days in a 55ft Oyster fin keeled yacht, drawing 7.5ft (2.29m) I guess would be impossible, right Michael?
Nicholas that is far to deep a draft I'm afraid... you'll have to go via Gib, Portugal Spain and France... coasting will take a summer but in 2 or 3 offshore hits and some motorsailing say 3 weeks
Height of vessel is normally referred to "Air draft". That is the height from the water line to highest part of the superstructure.
Yes of course you are right.. my mistake .. thanks for the correction
I really enjoyed this. So informational, i could see the reality of traveling through france via the rivers and canals. I’m not a boater, but that is my dream. I would imagine speaking french is needed, true?
I am so pleased you liked it. Glad it inspires you. About as many French people speak english as English speak French but maybe because of TV mos Frenc know a smattering of english and it almost always works out!
bravo merci pour la france
Merci Marcel, vive la France - J'habite à Boulogne sur mer
Richard Gale
Hi Michael, you kindly helped me with a couple of questions re boating down the French Inland Waterways. I've finally seemed to have 'got it together' and have ICC, VHF, Vignette etc and Plan (from Noss on Dart to Le Havre and down...) BUT am reading that PAF may also ask me to show Medical Cover.... my 'normal' trip insurance doesn't cover me for boating: My Question to You (If you would again be so kind) : How often have you been asked to show medical cover insurance whilst boating around France? I don't expect you will both read this and have time/ inclination to answer but I do wish your very sympathetic and adventurous soul 'Fair Winds' at the very least (answer or not). And, of course THANK YOU for your very helpful and inspirational input.
Richard hi,
Just got back from sailing to St Lucia.
Never. Never ever been asked to show medical insurance! Nobody is going to ask.. customs and immigration don't care. Waterways just want the vignette payment.
Sounds like your planning has gone well. Have a lovely trip. I just adore the French Canals
Fair winds
Michael
looks like a dream
Yes it really is! I have enjoyed my passages up and down the canals so much!
Looking forward to watching your video of Channel to Med and buying the books - before I do - I have a Dufour Classic 32 which draws 1.75m. I plan to take mast off and ship separately. Just 2 on board. Most shallow part of my planned route looks like Condé-sur-Marne to Chalon-sur-Saône. When do you believe best time to go to get through? Early spring or late Autumn for max depth and least weed? Many thx.
Peter hi,
I think in the main canals the French Authorities try to always maintain the 'posted' depth and work hard to do that.
Extremes of weather can cause flooding or drought but in Spring that is unlikely... In Autumn if the weather has been exceptionally dry then there could possibly be a draft issue but IMO it's unlikely.
I would go when it suits you.. Have a wonderful trip - I prefer the canal route to the Biscay route as its so relaxing and scenic
Very useful and entertaining videos - thank you. A question if I may: Do you think it feasible for me to 'sail' single handed from Le Havre to the Med? Especially handling the locks. I would be in a 9m powerboat with suitable draft and air clearance and 2x200hp outboards and CEVNI in hand.
Richard it is absolutely possible. You need to have the mooring lines set up so that you can control them from the cockpit - as I describe in my book and have fenders and fender boards... If a lock keeper takes your lines then you should tip them. I've done it both ways and it worked fine! More important than the Cevni is the tax vignette!
@@SailingGentlytip them hahahaha 😂😂😂
Ofcorse ur made that fine ???
In mid now mr richadg3137 ???
@eivindlindefjell5602 🫤sadly not yet. Hoping to make 1st trip to Paris from Le Harvre later this year.... moved home marina to S W England.
Is their any way of reversing the route back to the UK from the Med? The warning bell was the 4 knot current. Top speed for us is 5 knots. Any suggestions. We loved your Sailing Gently to the Med and used this to get us down there, now looking at options for getting back (if we need to.)
Thanks
I exaggerated a bit Robert... try to keep out of mid stream and much of the time it will be less. Depends a bit on rainfall.. just accept it's going to be a bit slow.. take 5 or 6 days but I've always managed it even in small boats. Just need to run the engine a bit faster than normal.
So pleased the book was useful
@@SailingGently Thanks so much. Looking forward to your next programme.
Very very informative ❤
Do you have any of eastern Europa? Like from kiel down elbe Tsjekkia and ungaren and so on down eastern side ???
I am now in topp of kiel kanal and will traveling down eastern waterways hope to get to mid that way.
But aiming at Prague and Budapest first.
If ur have can u make a link for me on it here ???
Ty ty very much for spreading ur knowledge of your traveling experience. Love to see this from people that have bean doing it ❤
Very good and awsome informative video
Tumbs up from norway man
Elvin thank you for the thumbs up from Norway... Sadly I have no experience at all of the Eastern Europe river and canal system although I have looked at a trip down to the Black Sea - would be so interesting but like you I found it difficult to find useful information. Good luck with your passage
@@SailingGently ty very much for ur ansering.
I am between all eastern true Tsjekkia and hungary. Lovley rivers there ❤️
But will studdy mid way down allsow later to night.
You had some of midle way down ?
Really outside my area of expertise... Sorry!
so well done, thanks. any thoughts on doing fr canals single handed??
Glad you enjoyed it Bob... I've done it twice single handed - need some prep on mooring lines and if a lock keeper helps you it is polite to give him a tip...€1...
@@SailingGently I have tossed that question about for two years without satisfaction. Thank you so much for a straight answer. PS (before your reply) I downloaded a couple of your offerings. Look forward to going through your playlist.
Sincerely, Bob
I'm seriously thinking of going over from the Thames to le Harvey in my elisian 27 Stern cockpit, it's more for river and coast but iv spoke to ppl that have seen them crossing the channel but only Stern cockpit ones never centre cockpits, any advice would be great, I would like to go all down to med
I think the boat is probably OK but I wouldn't like to be out in a gale in her. You need to be sure that the engine has been properly serviced and that you have sufficient fuel. The crossing from Eastbourne or Dover to Boulogne is pretty short but the 'hop' from Boulogne to dieppe is 50 miles - around 10 hours... after that there are lots of places to stop at. Need to have VHF and a navigation system and to pick your weather carefully. Don't forget the 90/180 day EU rule
Yes I will go in calm seas only, thank you 😁
How are the marina's in France in handling mast stepping / unstepping? I trucked my boat down the PNW coast (in the US) and had to unstep the mast (a 34ft sailboat). At both ends, while the marina would provide the crane and crane operator, they obliged me to hire a third party rigger + team, for the unstepping and stepping, which ran up to an extra $1,000 each end. To be fair, it did require a team of two or three to control the mast from swinging wildly, more than i could manage on my own, but it has somewhat discouraged me from any route that requires unstepping again. It sounds as if you had a much easier (less expensive time) in France.
There used to be a company offering to take the mast from you at your arrival port and deliver it when and where you want to step up again, that was a few years back but they may still be in business. I don’t recall the mast length limit.
Mast stepping/unstepping costs vary enormously depending on the company... Some places like La Rochelle insist on a 'professional team' to do the work however Rouen & Le Havre both will provide a person to work the crane whilst you and your crew do the deck work.... Same a Port Napoleon - probably around €200 depending on how long it takes
They still exist Francois - or did until covid - I think there are two of them but the charge Rouen - Port napoleon is around €1000 I think
@@SailingGently That's very helpful. Thankyou
Hi, Have you done this route single handed? Anything to watch out for? I'd be planning on using a motor cruiser with bow and stern thrusters, hopefully with remote.Thinking mostly of locks but also docking. Thanks in anticipation
I've done it in both directions single handed several times and it's fine. With bigger boats it's hard to line up at right angles to some of the lock entrances because of wind and current from the system but perfectly doable... Having all 4 mooring lines led back to the cockpit helps as I describe in my book
@@SailingGently Thanks! The boat I have in mind is just under 10m. I did think the key would be organising lines and potentially using single midships one in some cases. Just bought the book!
@@galeforce8953 You will be fine.. Have a lovely trip and I hope you find the book helpful
@@galeforce8953 on the Rhone you can definitely use a single midship line but you do need to be able to haul that thing in close - going downstream not so much, going upstream you really, really need to be tight up against the lock wall because things tend to get turbulent. Also for upstream, you want to moor up as far away from the upstream side as possible (in general) because again, turbulance can get hilariously funky.
I have a 34ft keel boat with a theoretical draft of 5ft 6in (1.67m) but, with extra cruising equipment and fuel & water I am probably closer to 5ft 9 or 10in (1.75m). Can I make it? And, if so, is there a better time of year (for water levels) and would you suggest that I take the Canal du Loing/Briare/latéral à la Loire/Centre or the Canal latéral à la Marne/ Champagne et Bourgogne/Grande Saône route?
You will get through for sure Stephen, although there will be small problems getting close to the bank to moor up... Unless the summer is exceptionally hot/dry any time.... I would take Canal du Loing/Briare/latéral à la Loire/Centre... You could consider having the mast taken by road from Rouen - saves a lot of weight
@@SailingGently Yes, you are correct, it would lift the boat somewhat. Thinking about it, it sits an inch or so higger in fresh water so that would help too.
@@SailingGently Was wondering. I have a full width bimini and dodger. Should i expect to have to remove them, in order to navigate the narrower, arched bridges?
Not sure Stephen. The arched bridges are only on the canal du midi... on the main routes from the channel you should be fine!
@@SailingGently That's very helpful. Thankyou.
Fantastic video, lots of good info. In your opinion can a person solo travel the canals in a small boat?, i will be travelling in a 6.9m Catamaran powered by a 6hp outboard - thanks:)
Yes.. I single handed a Prout 33 through from le Havre to Sete.
If the lockkeepers take your lines or help you should 'tip' them. It's not their job!
@@SailingGently @Sailing Gently Thanks for your reply, I have now bought your book and are feeling more confident with single handling, Would you have a route recommendation for someone in my position looking for a 2-3 month cruise from Calais to the Med?, im looking for scenic but am willing to compromise if its going to be hard solo, im keen to avoid heavily trafficked and touristed routes and don't mind extra distance as i have no time pressure - thanks for your feedback, im finding that there isnt a lot of info out there for someone cruising solo:)
I outline the Classic route in the book... Up the Seine thru Paris then hang a right down the main canals to the Saone.. The canals are only about 1/3rd of the voyage and the commercial traffic is relatively light and small. All that changes in the Saone and Rhone where there are giant barges, sea going ships and enormous locks. Enjoy the canals section - there are much fewer pleasant stopping places in the rivers!
@@SailingGently I really appreciate your replies and if i could ask one more question i cant seem to find an answer to, Did you ever drop anchor in the rivers or canals, The little yacht i have doesn't have an anchor winch and whilst i will fit one before entering the Med im wondering if it will be needed at any point from entering at Calais to exiting in Sete? - many thanks
@@formulaelectric Basically no. There is no necessity to have an anchor although in the rivers Saone and Rhone it would be useful in case of engine failure.. Probably less expensive to fit/buy an anchor and short chain with long warp in the UK... French prices are nearly always much higher... Have a look at Jimmy Green Marine for example
I’ve been researching and have found varying info what do you believe is max draft that can be taken through canal system, draft is 1.8 but assume that’s in salt water not fresh
Domonic hi
1.8 metres on the MAIN canals is around the max but because heavily laden commercial barges frequently exceed this in the middle of the main canals its more.. The problem with being on or near the limit is this depth is less close to the bank when you want to park up overnight. Lots of boats go through at 1.8 provided there is not a drought
@@SailingGently thank you
Does anyone know if kayaks are allowed on French waterways and canals?
www.vnf.fr/vnf/ are the french waterways authority - email them in English...
What about having a tabernacle fitted
Seems a bit drastic but a good thought Mark. My concern would be the height of the top of the mast when laid down... Plus I think the mast would need major 'surgery'. Taking a 'normal' mast down is not that big a deal with the aide of a crane
You didn’t mention the tankerville canal from leHarve ?
Hi Paul,
Pleasure craft are not allowed to use this waterway. I is only for commercial vessels.
@@SailingGently hi, nobody stopped me !! But it was a while ago….
Thanks for the reply, Paul
Is it possible to cross the English Channel into France on a narrow boat?
Yes it is - on a very calm day as canal boats have a very low freeboard and the boat would need some improvements in the bilge pump area - in case. Personally I would consider putting her on a lorry in say Dover and tipping in Calais...
@@SailingGently Thank you.
Since you’re not sailing, what was your fuel cost doing such a trip?
Obviously it depends on engine size and in the canals you are limited to 4 or 5 knots in still water. The 2 rivers going south are giving you a free lift with the current. I truly can't remember the fuel costs but around £150 total I suspect going south and a little more going north
@@SailingGently I’m actually shocked it’s that low for so many km. With the current i understand but not against. Thanks
@@yanassi It was a guess! but for example my current consumption at 2,000 RPM making 5 knots is less than 3 litres an hour. So to be more accurate 10daysx8hur days = 80 hours running time = 240 ltrs @ 1.80euro = 430 euros! You were right I underestimated it! Sorry
@@yanassiWhen I did it via Paris and the Bourgogne canal in my 39ft yacht I used more diesel in the heater than the engine! A week waiting in Dijon for an icebreaker to come up from Chalon sur Saone to break a trail and clear the lock gates in -20°C. Don't do it in winter!!
@@jimtitt3571 great advice. I’m not a boater, not yet. It’s future consideration as i am planning to relocate to spain. I looked at sailing gently’s french canal travel to the med. English channel to paris is about 200 nm, paris to chalon 500 km, chalon to the med 460 km, totaling 1160 km. At 5 kmh x 8 hr day= 40 km per day, that would take nearly a month (1160 km divided by 40) to go from the eng channel to the med. BUT it’s been indicated that the trip should take an estimated 2 weeks! Is my math wrong?
Fuel costs, burning 3L per km x you traveled 40km = burning 120L per day @ 1.80 €= fuel cost is 216 € per day just for the traveling portion. And you did it in the cold? It does seem expensive or my math is off, even if it’s a beautiful trip.
Reminds me of this Camping Gaz advert from the 1980's with Peter Sellers.
th-cam.com/video/h-cZR6TfE5k/w-d-xo.html
I had forgotten how funny Sellers was! Thank you!
🫡🔥
glad it was interesting!