The Nivernais

We have reached the summit of the Nivernais canal. It is 10 years since we first cruised this waterway, in a hired craft on an exploratory mission to see if we liked cruising in France and Europe.
The answer was yes, and Antiope has clocked over 2500 hours or over 10,000 miles since then.

260 m above sea level, lake Baye was created to provide water for the canal

The Nivernais is arguably the prettiest waterway in France

This waterway took from 1764 through to 1841 to be completed, The northern end was originally used to 'Flottage' rafts of firewood down river to Paris mostly along the route of the Yonne river.

From the Morvan forest logs were cut and Rafts of 100 m assembled. 

Full moon, A view from the window one long summer evening 

For the past month we have cruised slowly South enjoying great weather. often remote with poor internet reception, however the world dramas do filter through. Cave rescues, The Brexit mess, France scoring goals. Novichok.     

Veselay the vast Basilica on top of 'The Eternal hill' 

We take a day off the boat to visit Veselay. On the pilgrim route construction began over a thousand years ago. The Crusaders assembled here on their way to Jerusalem.

 

Close to the summit, up in the hills.

The locks are all manned on this waterway, 

Dramatic cliffs at Rochere du Saussios

We find surprisingly little traffic on this remote waterway

Across the watershed, we will be descending the locks on waters that will end up in the Med.