Connoisseur – Boating Holidays in Europe

Destinations – Loire / Nivernais


Welcome to Connoisseur's most extensive cruising area. In cruising terms, France has it all - historic canals, impressive engineering, fine food and of course, fine wines. A holiday on the waterways is one of the best ways of making the most of all that France has to offer!

Loire / Nivernais

Loire Nivernais

Loire Nivernais

Known locally as the 'green land of running waters' and internationally as a wine lovers paradise, the cruising region of the Nivernais Loire in Burgundy offers visitors a chance to savour the beautiful landscapes, fine cuisine and excellent wines.

The charming Canal du Nivernais, reputed to be one of the prettiest in France, winds peacefully between Auxerre and Decize through rolling meadows, hillside vineyards, rocky outcrops and forests. Picture postcard scenery and pretty villages line your route and the slow pace of life on land superbly mirrors your gentle cruise through small manned locks and quiet waterways.

Suggested Cruises in Loire / Nivernais

Week Breaks
  • Duration:
    7 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    50
    Distance:
    100 km
    Châtel Censoir - Chitry les Mines - Châtel Censoir
    Pass through historical towns and sleeping villages as you cruise the Canal du Nivernais and go through lifting bridges depicted in Van Goggh's paintings. Excellent towpaths the length of the canal make for great cycling trips to explore the countryside.
  • Duration:
    7 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    58
    Distance:
    120 km
    Châtel Censoir - Clamecy - Auxerre - Châtel Censoir
    Cruise the pretty Canal du Nivernais Loire taking in the hilltop artisan town of Clamecy and the medieval former capital of Burgundy, Auxerre on the River Yonne. Perfect for beginners and for those looking for easy cruising. Don't forget your bikes - the tarmac flat towpaths are perfect for cycling.
  • Duration:
    7 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    64
    Distance:
    148 km
    Châtel Censoir - Joigny - Châtel Censoir
    Cruise the Canal du Nivernais to medieval Auxerre then continue along the River Yonne to Joignym a 16th century Renaissance town over looking the river and port. Several beautiful wooden fronted houses have survived the centuries and the quaint winding streets are interlinked by numerous stairways and covered passageways.
  • Duration:
    7 days
    Cruise Type:
    One Way
    Locks:
    31
    Distance:
    65 km
    Châtel Censoir - Migennes
    A one week cruise on the Canal du Nivernais, starting from the beautiful port beneath the hilltops at Châtel Censoir. Arrive at Auxerre and visit the old quarter with its Abbey and cathedral before cruising on to Migennes.
  • Duration:
    7 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    62
    Distance:
    122 km
    Châtillon-sur-Loire - Briare - Montargis - Châtillon-sur-Loire
    Cruise across the famous aqueduct at Briare before visiting the charming medieval town of Montargis - known as the 'Venice of Gatinais' because of its numerous canals and bridges. Buy delicious pralines from the original shop that made them in the time of Louis XIII  and the world's most expensive spice, saffron, is grown in the surrounding fields.
  • Duration:
    7 days
    Cruise Type:
    One Way
    Locks:
    26
    Distance:
    140 km
    Châtillon-sur-Loire - Decize
    A one week cruise alongside the River Loire through the famous Sancerre wine-producing region, stopping for wine-tastings en route, to Nevers, famous for producing the oldest china in France and where quaint streets converge on the Ducal Palace. Arrive in Decize, where 300 year old plane trees line the avenues in typical French style.
  • Duration:
    7 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    38
    Distance:
    180 km
    Châtillon-sur-Loire - Nevers - Sancerre - Châtillon-sur-Loire
    Follow the blue pavement lines through the pretty town of Nevers to discover its rich cultural heritage and enjoy splendid views over the River Loire. Visit the beautiful medieval hilltop town of Sancerre and learn about the region's vineyards at the Maison des Sancerre, a 15th century house dedicated to the art of winemaking.
  • Duration:
    7 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    50
    Distance:
    146 km
    Migennes - Ancy-le-Franc - Migennes
    Cruise on the Canal du Bourgogne to visit historic chateaux at Ancy-le-Franc and Tanlay and admire their splendid Renaissance architecture.
  • Duration:
    7 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    34
    Distance:
    169 km
    Migennes - Montereau - Migennes
    Cruise the wide waters of the River Yonne to Montereau, stopping en route to enjoy the peaceful countryside, magnificent views and to sample the region's fine wines and cuisine.
Longer Breaks
  • Duration:
    14 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    126
    Distance:
    274 km
    Châtel Censoir - Ancy le Franc - Châtel Censoir
    Cruise on the Canal du Nivernais and the River Yonne to see some of Burgundy's finest chateaux at Ancy le Franc and nearby Tanlay. En route enjoy magnificent scenery and peaceful cruising.
  • Duration:
    14 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    104
    Distance:
    132 km
    Châtel Censoir - Baye - Châtel Censoir
    Follow the tranquil Canal du Nivernais to Baye, experiencing the staircase of 16 locks between Sardy and Baye. Emerge from three tunnels near Lake Baye with its many watersports facilities.
  • Duration:
    14 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    78
    Distance:
    218 km
    Châtel Censoir - Sens - Châtel Censoir
    Cruise the beautiful Canal du Nivernais through medieval Auxerre and on to the Yonne to reach Sens. Visit the old square and Gothic St Stephen's cathedral and spend time sampling local food and wine at waterfront cafes en route.
  • Duration:
    14 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    110
    Distance:
    280 km
    Châtillon-sur-Loire - Montereau - Châtillon-sur-Loire
    Follow the delightful Canal latéral à la Loire through the medieval town of Montargis and on to Montereau on the beautiful River Seine.
  • Duration:
    14 days
    Cruise Type:
    One Way
    Locks:
    151
    Distance:
    316 km
    Migennes - Auxerre - Decize - Châtillon-sur-Loire
    A two week cruise on the Canal du Nivernais and the Canal Latéral à la Loire taking in all the famous sights of the region, from splendid chateaux to artisan towns and world-famous vineyards.
  • Duration:
    14 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    120
    Distance:
    226 km
    Migennes - Corbigny - Migennes
    The River Yonne and the Canal de Bourgogne are your principal waterways from your base at Migennes and offer unparalleled choices of cruising experiences, routes and destinations. This area is a wine lover's paradise, and without doubt the most effective way of experiencing a true taste of the Nivernais Loire is by boat.
  • Duration:
    14 days
    Cruise Type:
    Round Trip
    Locks:
    98
    Distance:
    206 km
    Migennes - Montbard - Auxerre - Migennes
    Cruising through this breathtaking landscape, there is a wealth of places to moor and savour superb cuisine on what is acclaimed as one of the prettiest routes through the heartland of France. The Nivernais winds peacefully between Auxerre, and Decize, and is one of the most charming and spectacular canals in France.
  • Duration:
    14 days
    Cruise Type:
    One Way
    Locks:
    49
    Distance:
    198 km
    Migennes - Montereau - Châtillon-sur-Loire
    The River Yonne and the Canal Latéral à la Loire take you on a beautiful journey in the heart of the Loire valley, perfect for tasting the fine wines and cuisine of the region.

Bases in this Region


Châtel Censoir
Base manager Michael Chadney welcomes you to Chatel-Censoir, your gateway to what many consider to be the most beautiful and romantic of all French canals, the Canal du Nivernais. Its shady banks and peaceful seclusion draw you into a dreamworld far, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and you’ll find life on board a very relaxing experience!.

Châtillon sur-Loire
Base manager Thomas Gernignon welcomes you to Chatillon sur Loire, 150km from Paris, 7km from Briare. Its name originates in the “Castillo”, a small fortress which was built in the 10th century on the hill where the church now stands. Throughout the middle ages, Chatillon sur Loire was fought over by the Abbey of Fleury and the courts of Sancerre. With its strong protestant dominance, the town was attacked and besieged seven times in the 16th century.

Decize
Base manager Florent Courbez welcomes you to Decize. Cruising through the Bourbonnais and Nivernais regions, a feeling of relaxation and well-being will overcome your senses. This is a region famous for it’s quiet way of life and is quintessential France.

Migennes
Base manager Dominique Fourre welcomes you to Migennes. Situated at the confluence of the Yonne, the Armencon and the Serein, the history of Migennes has been tied to the canal for centuries. Since ancient times, it has been at the heart of the crossroads of the commercial routes through Burgundy and has been an important town in the religious landscape of France.

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