Scey-sur-Saône - Gray - Pontailler - Auxonne - Scey-sur-Saône
Destinations / France / Doubs (Burgundy-Franche-Comté) / Scey-sur-Saône - Gray - Pontailler - Auxonne - Scey-sur-Saône
Basic information
- Cruise length: 202 km
- Trip duration: 7 days
- Type of cruise: there and back
- Number of locks: 26
TheSaône River has always been an important link between central and southern Europe. Together with the adjacent canals, it forms a network of navigable waterways. In the upper reaches, between the towns of Corre and Saint-Jean-de-Losne, the river flows through narrow valleys between rolling hills and lush pastures. Count on a few locks and two tunnels. Good mooring and shopping opportunities await in Port-sur-Saône, followed downstream by the other picturesque towns of Scey-sur-Saône and Ray-sur-Saône. The typical Franche-Comté Gothic style can be found in the town of Gray, which boasts, among other things, the Notre-Dame Basilica. From the anchorage under the willows in Mantoche, a lane leads directly into the pretty town. From Saint-Jean-de-Losne, the river becomes wider and wider and takes on the character of a canal.
Canal de la Marne à la Saône
At the village of Pontailler, the Canal de la Marne à la Saône turns west from the river. This 224 km long canal (rich in locks) runs through the lonely Vingeanne valley and through a tunnel almost 5 km long to the fortress of Langres. The canal is navigable as far as Vitry-le-François, where it meets the Rhein-Marne (Alsace/Lorraine) canal.
Canal des Vosges
In the north of the Franche Comté, the Canal des Vosges flows directly into the Saône. It flows through the jagged and steep Coney valley and the Vosges forests to Fontenoy-le-Château. Locksmiths will be in for a treat: between Corre and Epinal there are 60 locks, including 'lock steps'. A small side canal leads to Epinal.