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+33 3 85 53 76 74

Houseboats on the Canal Latéral à la Loire

From Digoin

The charming town of Digoin in Burgundy was the first place Les Canalous was established, in the early 1980s. We’ve been receiving holiday makers here for nearly 40 years, allowing them to discover the pleasures of a waterway cruise. Draw upon our expertise, as well as our perfect knowledge of the region, and choose a houseboat rental for a new kind of holiday experience…

Where are you leaving from?

When are you leaving?

Waterway tourism : a passionate and fascinating history in Digoin

You’ll receive the best wel­come at our Digoin water­way base. Choose your boat from the wide range avail­able and let us train you to cap­tain your licence-free boat. You can then embark and start your water­way cruise. Digoin has a wide range of routes for you to choose from. The Loire runs through the town, which offers direct access to many cruise ideas. We’ll help you put togeth­er your itin­er­ary on the Canal Latéral à la Loire, Canal du Cen­tre or Canal de Roanne à Digoin. Whichev­er water­way cruise you have in mind, you’ll enjoy the sooth­ing rhythm of your licence-free boat, the plea­sure of going through locks and all the sim­ple delights of water­way tourism. Before you embark, don’t for­get to admire one of the town’s high­lights as you take in the canal bridge cross­ing the riv­er Loire.

Gastronomic pleasures and a change of scenery : the delights of Burgundy from the water

Whether you’re head­ing North or South, there are sev­er­al tow­paths to delight cycling and walk­ing fans. You can stop off wher­ev­er you please dur­ing your cruise and vis­it the many vil­lages on your route. You may also like to head for the mari­na in Roanne town cen­tre – an invi­ta­tion to relax and enjoy your­self, stand­ing you in good stead for your house­boat cruise. Bur­gundy wine, snails and Charo­lais beef are just some of the region’s culi­nary delights you’re like­ly to enjoy on board. You’ll also have the oppor­tu­ni­ty to take in its rich her­itage – a vis­it to Paray le Moni­al is a must, to admire the impos­ing Basilique du Sacré Cœur.

discover the region with our photos

Canal du Centre

Canal du Centre

  • The Basilica of Paray-le-Monial and old Paray.
  • The route of traditional crafts: take a themed cruise along the Canal du Centre to discover traditional crafts: Digoin and its pottery (museum and factory shop to visit), Ciry le Noble and its brickworks, Blanzy and its mining museum, Montceau Les Mines and its school house, and Le Creusot and its Château de la Verrerie, home to the Museum of Man and Industry.
  • The castle of Digoine, in Palinges, also known as ‘the Pearl of Charolais’. This magnificent building is one of the most remarkable French châteaux of the 18th century. Surrounded by a large 35-hectare park featuring a vast rose garden and French formal gardens, it also conceals a stunning little private Italian-style theatre. Listed as a historic monument and awarded the ‘Remarkable Garden’ label, the château and its grounds are open to visitors during the season.
Canal de Roanne à Digoin

Canal de Roanne à Digoin

  • The Leblanc oil mill in Iguerande: an unusual stop on your houseboat holiday, a visit to the Leblanc oil mill will teach you more about the secrets of making Leblanc oils, with seeds and fruits crushed by stone mill, passed down from father to son since 1878.
  • Le Central Restaurant, part of the Troisgros establishment in Roanne, is an unmissable gastronomic destination in the region. This restaurant, café and grocery store is sure to surprise you, skilfully combining flavours from around the world with local cuisine.
Canal latéral à la Loire

Canal latéral à la Loire

  • The Digoin canal bridge: with its 11 arches and 243 metres, this aqueduct bridge spans the Loire to connect the Canal Latéral à la Loire with the Canal du Centre. Crossing this majestic structure at the helm of your houseboat will undoubtedly be one of the most beautiful memories of your cruise.
  • EuroVelo 6: with 4,400 km of cycle paths, EuroVelo 6 connects the Atlantic to the Black Sea. Your river cruise could be the perfect opportunity to alternate between cycling and boating during a nature break in Burgundy.
  • The WWF site at Bec d'Allier and its hamlet: just over 10km by bike from Nevers, don't miss this fabulous natural site, where the waters of the Allier and Loire rivers meet. The local flora and fauna are still preserved here as rarely elsewhere. The hamlet itself is an old village of boatmen, a reminder of the region's river-based past.
  • Nevers, a city of art and history, former capital of earthenware. Stroll through the narrow streets of the old town and explore this multifaceted city. Don't miss the pottery district, the ducal palace and the cathedral, among other attractions.

suggested itineraries Tested and approved

Set off from Digoin and navigate as your desires see fit, or follow our itinerary ideas:

Week-end
Round trip 66km - 22 locks 13h Digoin > Génelard > Digoin
Mini-week
Round trip 86km - 16 locks 19h Digoin > Briennon > Digoin
One week
Round trip 140km - 28 locks 32h Digoin > Roanne > Digoin > Paray le Monial > Digoin
Round trip 128km - 62 locks 36h Digoin > Ecuisses > Digoin
Round trip 198km - 44 locks 32h Digoin > Nevers > Digoin
One way 117km - 38 locks 27h Digoin > Châtillon en Bazois
Two weeks
Round trip 384km - 132 locks 69h Digoin > Louhans > Digoin
carte-bourgogne

let yourself be tempted by our other departure points