Briare Canal
53 km long, the Briare navigable canal provides a link between the Seine basin and the Loire basin.
This route, which is very pleasant in dry weather, provides an opportunity to meet lock-keepers, boatmen and tourist boats.
Numerous structures linked to inland waterway transport are dotted along the route. At Rogny-les-Sept-écluses you can see the remains of 7 successive locks.
In Briare, as well as the famous canal bridge over the Loire, don’t miss the Maison des deux Marines, which presents the history of the Loire and canal marinas.
< Montargis
Briare >
Itinerary Eurovelo3, recommended by CTE
→ click on map to go to a stage
De Namur à Tours par l'Eurovélo3
It is completely free.
Join us : https://eurovelo3.fr/adhesions/
The 2 stages of the section « Briare Canal »
From Montargis to Chatillon-Coligny along the towpath. You will cycle in the wake of the tourist boats.
In Montbouy, you can take a detour to visit the Arboretum des Barres in Nogent-sur-Vernisson.
From Châtillon-Coligny to Briare via Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses and Ouzouer-sur-Trézée. In Briare, the canal bridge allows boats to reach the lateral canal to the Loire. Don’t miss a visit to the Musée des Deux Marines, which introduces visitors to the unique features of navigation on the canal and the river.
Alternative to the section « Briare Canal »
The Orléans canal links Montargis to Orléans.
The CyloTransEurope association remains in favour of Eurovélo 3 following the Orléans canal. The towpath can only be used in dry weather. The route is neither signposted nor safe. Given the work being carried out to rehabilitate the riverbanks and develop the cycle route, it may be difficult to get around.
Important – See work in progress.
Some sections of the canal may be affected by works that will make them partially inaccessible:
For details of the works, see the information page: Development of the cycle route along the Orléans canal.
When the development of the cycle route along the Orléans canal is complete, this section could also be the starting point for the loop known as“Le Loiret au fil de l’eau”, which incorporates the Briare canal, the Loire valley and the Orléans canal.