The village of Vandenesse en Auxois

Vandenesse-en-Auxoisis is a quiet village near the canal's summit on the river Saône side.

It's a small farming village at the southern end of the Auxois plain and in the shadow of Chateauneuf en Auxois. The canal

Located near the summit of the Burgundy Canal, the port between locks eight and nine is one of the prettiest moorings on the Burgundy Canal. It's the home port to some of the best hotel barges. The moorings are deep, and 360-degree turns are easy for 38-metre barges. There are water, electricity and other facilities. The port can be busy in the summertime, and you may have to moor side by side.

In the village, two well-known local restaurants serve excellent traditional cuisine.

• L'Auberge de Guillaume : 0380492236 (Guillaume Royer was the chez at the famous Michelin restaurant Abbaye de La Buissiere )
• Chardin: 0380492238 (this restaurant was previously known as Chez Lucotte)
• Taxi service: 0380492192
• 4-star Campsite: Lac de Panthier 0380492194

Moorings

Many barges will spend a few days in the port, as the facilities are excellent. Most weekends, you will find larger hotel barges in the deep mooring.

Port of Vandenesse: between locks 8 and 9. This is a good turning point for 38-meter barges, so they will often use the port for a couple of days and fill with water. Although the canal is not heavily encumbered by traffic, sometimes you'll find queues for water!

Cruising

This section of locks, from numbers 2 to 8 and 10 to 12, is self-operating for boats less than 15 metres in length. You will be given instructions at lock 1 or 13 explaining how to operate the locks. Boats over 15 metres will have a lock keeper accompany them.

When cruising upstream, be careful when using the staircase of locks. A sluice gate is often open on the right side below the lock, allowing water to flow from above. Later in summer, the current can be pretty strong and will tend to pull you over to the right before entering the lock. Boom!

Places to visit

If you enjoy walking or cycling, you can visit the famous medieval village of Chateauneuf. Panthier reservoir, with windsurfing, sailing, and swimming, is 5 km away. Another beautiful chateau is 8 km away in the village of Commarin.

Places to stay

La Maison au Bord du Canal
Bed and breakfast with 4 bedrooms
1.6 km from the village centre
More information

Events

The first week of September: "Maquettes afloat", a model boat exposition in the port, working model boats of all kinds, really worth the visit.

In September, an excellent fireworks display will be over the water at the port.

There are "Vide Grenier" (Carboot sales) and occasional market events throughout the summer.

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