Looking at a self drive canal trip in June and haven't decided where. We're in our mid 50's, priority is scenery, quaint villages and some biking- don't care about fancy food, nightlife etc. Did a search on canal trips which was very helpful, but still would like to hear opinions re if you had one choice-where would you go? Thanks!

The villages on the canal are the quainter with the idea of the village being in circles of defence unlike the fortified church ideas of burgundy. The food is probably simpler in the CdM. The tow paths are root laiden so bikes are poor but you may well dock near empty roads so bikes ok here.

Wine is ismpler in the South and I would recommend the rose in caraffes kept in the fridge in CdM.

Booked out best trip through a french web site with a harbour to the West of Bezier (to avoid the 13 locks) and then went West. French Euros are cheaper than UK sterling sites.

Kept an eye out for Table d'hote who will ofetn come and pick you up from the boat (and take you back)

When I organized a self-drive canal trip for a group of friends, I chose the Bugundy canal because it had more obvious old stones--the Hospice in Tonnerre, the chateaux of Tanlay and Ancy-le-Franc, the Forges de Buffon. We used Rives de France to go from St. Florentin to Monbard.

You are just so lucky to be planning a fab trip on the canals of France!
Please read up "Narrow Dog To Carcassonne" by Terry Darlington, it is very informative.

Thanks for the replies, even though I'm leaning toward Midi, I'm wondering if Burgundy would be less crowded in June, and maybe a little cooler?

Definitely!

coco or anybody: If I decide on Burgundy, what would be the most scenic route to take? Thanks..

Beatle,

We took a cruise on the upper Saone two years ago, in October. Very scenic, but bad choice, as the season was over, and most of the restaurants along the way were closed.

The Burgundy canal, and the Yonne are both good choices, though parts of the Canal de Burgogne have too many locks for lazybones like me.

One nice thing about the Burgundy canal is Dijon, and Coco. Lovely town, and lovely person.

Enjoy your trip!

The really steep and lock filled section of the Burgundy canal is between Monbard and Dijon. The itinerary we used had only (!) 50 locks in our week of travel, most of which were manual locks.

Would it be better to avoid the section between Monbard and Dijon due to the many locks, keeping in mind that scenery and quaint villages are a priority. Thanks.

Ok, since I may be going in late June, I'm now leaning toward Burgundy, since Canal du Midi may be more crowded and a little on the warm side. Does anyone have any favorite routes in Burgundy to recommend? Thanks..

I already gave you mine.

Michael- I just looked at those destinations on a map, looks like a nice week trip- did you like Rives de France? Thanks...

Beatle,

I'm not clear how long you intend your trip to be, but St. Florentin to Monbard is 84 km. and 43 locks. Too much, IMO, for a one week trip. It is true, that the locks on that canal are rather close together; we did 23 in one day beyond Monbard when we were in a real rush, but that was not fun.

That sounds like a trip that would take at least two weeks, especially if you wanted to take time to visit vinyards, and scenic places.

Not to confused you with choices, but I suggest you also look at the Locaboat site. From what I have seen, their boats are not quite as fancy as Rive de France, but they do some nice cruises on the Yonne, and the Canal du Nivernais.

We did not feel rushed doing the St. Florentin Monbard itinerary, but one way. They were very nice in St. Florentin. The boats were well appointed (each could serve 12 for a meal) although the heads were very limited. From the train station we had to take the taxi to the boat location. There were no shops nearby, but they drove us to the supermarket to do shopping and back to the boat.

Michael,

Yes, a one way on the Borgogne would be feasible. I had looked at the Rive de France web site, and the only cruise they listed from St. Florentin to Monbard was the round trip one, and they listed it as a two week trip.

I think a one way is a better choice, in any case. You get to see more, with no duplication. The only time I was happy about a round trip cruise was when we went up the Saone. We had stopped the first night at the town of Gray, and stumbled onto the most WONDERFUL restaurant. Our mouths watered all the way up strean in anticipation of coming back to it on the return journey.

Of course, it was closed the night we came back.

I'm sure you will enjoy reading nuke's trip report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34686300
and I found another one
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34705160

The site is not very clear as to what is offered for one week, one way. But eventually I found this information:

<i>One Week One Way
Travel the Burgundy and Nivernais canals one way and discover the constantly changing landscapes. You will leave from St Florentin towards Montbard or Chitry. Do not hesitate to contact us to help you choose your route. (A one-way, two weeks trip is also possible, call us to find out more !)
Food and Drink
In Tonnerre, have wine-tasting stopover in the heart of Chablis one of the most famous white-wine producing regions in the world. Excellent restaurants abound in this region.

THE BURGUNDY CANAL
Your Ports of Call
On the borders of Burgundy and Champagne, the small fortified town of St-Florentin welcomes you. The old town with its magnificent and imposing Renaissance church is well worth a visit.
In Tonnerre, Knight-of-Eon country, a short walk will bring you to the Fosse Dione, a beautiful wash house fed by a vauclusian spring, and thence to the Vieil H&ocirc;pital (the old hospital) founded by Margaret of Burgundy in 1293.
The 16th-century castles : Tanlay, built in 1550, will open its gates to you. Ancy-le-Franc offers you a lavishly decorated castle; a masterpiece of French architecture, Here, you will also be able to visit a museum of cars and carriages.
In Montbard, an old 12th-century stronghold, you can follow in the footsteps of Buffon, the great 18th-century naturalist, by visiting his park and laboratory.
We recommend going by bicycle, as 6 km away you will discover the ancient Abbaye de Fontenay, a superb 12th-century Cistercian monastery founded by St-Bernard. Classed as a world heritage site, this masterpiece of Roman art is well worth a visit.</i>

photos 27, 28 &amp; 29 were taken on that trip:

http://www.photoworks.com/share/shar...BBCF&amp;cb=PW

Abbaye de Fontenay, a superb 12th-century Cistercian monastery founded by St-Bernard. Classed as a world heritage site, this masterpiece of Roman art is well worth a visit.

Agreed, very good visit