Briare (Loire)

The Canal de Briare is the oldest canal in the world. The spectacular locks at Rogny are no longer in use but well worth visiting. You sail
through wooded region interspersed with lakes: la Puisaye. To the North of the town of Briare, the Canal du Loing will lead you to the centre of Montargis, where the canal follows waterside streets lined with half-timbered houses. You then sail towards Nemours, its waters well stocked with fish, then Ferrières, Château-Landon and Moret-sur-Loing, which brings you into the heart of the Gâtinais region. Travelling south from Briare the Canal Latéral à la Loire, the impressive Canal bridge of Briare, work of the engineer Eiffel, will take you over the Loire and lead you towards Sancerre and Apremont-sur-Allier with its fine Chateau gardens, La Charité-sur-Loire and Nevers with its rich heritage of the Dukes of Nevers. Between Nivernais and Berry the region prides itself on its famous produce, such as the white wines of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé (a famous white wine) which you savour with a little goat’s cheese, “bouchon” or “Crottin de Chavignol”.