Canal du Loing

The Canal du Loing (French pronunciation: [kanal dy lwɛ̃]) is a 49.4 km long canal which connects the Seine at Saint-Mammès to the Briare Canal just north of Montargis, in central France. It runs through the Loiret and Seine-et-Marne départements.

Canal du Loing
Canal du Loing at Cepoy
Specifications
Length	49.4 km (30.7 mi)
Locks	19 (originally 20)
History
Principal engineer	Régemortes (father and son)
Date approved	1720
Date completed	1723
Geography
Start point	Saint-Mammès on the Seine
End point	Buges near Montargis
Beginning coordinates	48.02816°N 2.72255°E / 48.02816; 2.72255
Ending coordinates	48.38721°N 2.80229°E / 48.38721; 2.80229
Connects to	Canal de Briare and Seine
Note	Lock 20 is disused since level of the Seine was changed.

History

Philippe II, Duke of Orléans sought letters patent to build the canal in 1720, and it was completed in 1723. 3815 barges passed through in 1752 alone. Lock 20 is disused today, leaving 19 locks. The total fall is about 37m.^[1]

The canal is lateral to the river Loing except in two places where the river is used as part of the canal.^[2]

The Canal du Loing is part of the Bourbonnais route from Saint-Mammès on the Seine to Chalon-sur-Saône on the river Saône.

Current use

The valley is wooded and pleasant throughout, with lakes resulting from former gravel pits. Commercial traffic has declined significantly, but the canal remains open all year round to accommodate barges, mostly carrying grain for export. The route is popular with private boats, and also sees some hire boats and hotel barges.^[2]

Three-way junction, with the Canal du Loing ahead, the Canal d'Orléans under the footbridge, left, and the Canal de Briare in the foreground

See also

• List of structures on the Canal du Loing

References

1. McKnight, Hugh (2005). Cruising French Waterways, 4th Edition. Sheridan House. ISBN 978-1-57409-087-1.
2. Edwards-May, David (2010). Inland Waterways of France. St Ives, Cambs., UK: Imray. pp. 90–94. ISBN 978-1-846230-14-1.

External links

• Structurae website translated
• Canal du Loing maps and details of places, ports and moorings on the canal, by the author of Inland Waterways of France, 8th ed., 2010, Imray
• Navigation details for 80 French rivers and canals (French waterways website section)