Section 2 of our voyage sees us crossing the centre of France on its extensive canal system, stretching westwards from the River Saone at Chalons then north to the Seine at St Mammes.
We tackle 263 miles and 153 locks across four canals:
- Canal du Centre, rising from the Saone then falling again to approach the Loire at Digoin >>>>
- Canal Latéral à la Loire, following the course of the Loire valley and eventually crossing it at great height >>>>
- Canal de Braire, rising from Briare via our final ascending locks (good) and down again to Buges >>>>
- Canal du Loing, descending northwards towards Paris, terminating at St Mammes >>>>
- which is where we turn left onto the famous River Seine >>>>