France » Berry Canal

Additional informations: Piers, ports & harbours with informations on waters. House boat & yacht charter.

Le Canal de Berry
Suitability for houseboats: ***

 










Information, Description
Opened in 1830 it served as a connection between the valley of the Loire and the one of the Rhône. It did a lot to the development of Montluçon. The region was delivered this way with calc, cement, timber, coal and porcelain. Because of its small dimensions it was closed down in 1954 already. In the town of Viezon it was even filled up.

Boating holiday in the Centre, department Loire & Cher
There are now plans to reopen this very beautiful canal in the centre of France for tourism.
But, of the once 260 km are only 14 km navigable at the moment. More then 240 km are missing until the connection with the Canal lateral à la Loire…
This is a far way to go, especially if we consider the fact, that the region of Cher is not one of the more wealthy and the state is, the longer the more, not willing to finance maintenance of canals (not to speak of renovation). One has to say that enthusiasm is not very big on the private side either.
It is therefore at the moment not really a place for a boat holiday. It is partially navigable for boats not wider then 2.40 m.


Link to maps, waterway - guides and books of this region: 

waterways, the number 1 for house boating and houseboat holidays in France and Europe.