The Bourbonnais route is a connection of four canals in France from Saint-Mammès on the Seine to Chalon-sur-Saône on the Saône River: It includes the Canal du Loing, Canal de Briare, Canal latéral à la Loire, and Canal du Centre.

History The first section of the route, the Canal de Briare was completed in 1642. It was the first summit level canal using pound locks in Europe. It connected the valleys of the Loire and the Seine. At this time, boats could go from the Loire in Briare, via this canal, to the Loing near Montargis, and then down the Loing to the Seine and continue into Paris.

Though not part of this route today, the Canal d'Orléans was started in 1682 to connect Orléans, on the Loing River, to the northern terminus of the Canal de Briare. This would provide competing routes from the Loire river to the Loing river.

The trip on the Loing from Montargis to the Seine was greatly improved by the creation of the Canal du Loing during 1720–1723. It is largely a lateral canal, using only two portions of the actual river.

In 1792, the Canal du Centre connected the Loire in Digoin to the Saône at Chalon-sur-Saône.

The use of the river Loire was replaced by the Canal latéral à la Loire during 1827–1838. It connected the Canal de Briare at Briare and the Canal du Centre at Digoin. At this time, the Loire was crossed at level. Later, this crossing would be replaced by the Briare aqueduct.

Specifics

Canal From To KM Locks Canal du Loing Saint-Mammès Montargis 49 18 Canal de Briare Montargis Briare 55 32 Canal latéral à la Loire Briare Digoin 196 38 Canal du Centre Digoin Chalon-sur-Saône 114 61

En Route Canal du Loing Canal de Briare Canal latéral à la Loire Canal du Centre T junction with Haute Seine PK 49 Saint-Mammès PK 30 Nemours PK 19 Souppes-sur-Loing PK 3 Cepoy PK 52 Montargis PK 29 Châtillon-Coligny PK 19 Rogny-les-Sept-Écluses PK 1 Briare PK 192 Châtillon-sur-Loire PK 159.5 Saint-Satur PK 125 Marseilles-lès-Aubigny PK 100 Nevers PK 68.5 Decize PK 37.5 Beaulon PK 4 Digoin PK 102 Paray-le-Monial PK 65 Montceau-les-Mines PK 52 Montchanin PK 33 Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune PK 19 Chagny PK 0 Chalon-sur-Saône T junction with Saône

See also List of canals in France

References