Through the French Canals

Publisher: Adlard Coles Nautical; 12th ed.; £19.99
Publication Date: 2009

France has over 8,000 km of canals and rivers. The latest edition of this popular book is the ideal planning tool for the French waterways, whether for a route through France from the Channel to the Mediterranean or for the many potential inland cruises. There is a mass of information, arranged in a user-friendly format, about each canal and river.

A newcomer to the French waterways will find almost 50 pages of basic information which will assist in preparing for a passage in France, including the equipment that will be required and the various formalities that can be expected.

The bulk of the book is taken up with a brief description of each of the waterways. Essential planning data is set out in a standard format; this includes lock operating hours and speed restrictions as well as the four maximum acceptable boat dimensions - length, beam, water draught and air draught. The latter is particularly important on certain canals and can influence the choice of route for larger power boats. The location and kilometre point of each port de plaisance and halte are also listed as well as the number of locks between each.

Fuelling points can sometimes be a concern when cruising in France. A very welcome improvement in this 12th edition is that all bankside fuelling points are clearly marked, as are sources of fuel reasonably close to the water, albeit that carrying cans may be entailed. The book is profusely illustrated with excellent colour photographs.

Readers need to recognise that, like all information about French waterways, the data is constantly changing. Although this book alone will not see a boat safely through the waterways, it is without equal as an initial planning tool. Nevertheless it will need to be supplemented by appropriate charts and up-to-date information, some of which can be derived from the French VNF website and the CA’s own publications – IPAS