Into the hills

Our passage through the Jura hills has been spectacular, the sheer rock cliffs have been formed over millions of years by the river eating its way from the Swiss Alpes to the Rhone river.

The Citadelle dominates the town of Besancon

The Citadelle again, as we head East out of Besancon

                                       The Doubs river winds its' way through the 'Duras'

                       Must not be distracted by the scenery as we follow the marked channel,

River levels have been low with little rain over the past Months, in places we have no more than 30cm below our keel

                                        Each lock is accompanied by a Barrage (wier) 

Weed harvester, on the summit level 

The Rhine/ Rhone canal takes over from the Doubs river as it becomes too shallow to navigate.  

Completed in 1834 after the revolution, the entire navigation is 236 Kms long with 112 locks and climbs to 340m above sea level.

Looking back, as descend towards Mulhouse and the Rhine valley 

Storks, lots of them around Montbeliard

Arriving in Mulhouse

We are greeted by the marina 'Ragondin' (Coypu)

Time to stay put for a week in this very friendly marina, after three weeks of mountain climbing.