Châtillon-en-Bazois / Chitry-les-Mines
After a long straight stretch, this stage of the Nivernais Canal by Bike takes you climbing through La Collancelle Wood. Here, enjoy the array of 16 locks, matched by as many lively lock-keepers’ houses. You reach the highest point on the canal at Port-Brulé Lock and Baye Lake, before descending to Châtillon-en-Bazois. This is a splendid stage
Route details
The greenway along the canal is almost unbroken, bar where you have to take calm country roads above the tunnels between Port-Brulé and Baye.
Gradients and elevation
Road types
Surface
Not to be missed on this route
Sardy's impressive lock scale
Don’t miss
Chitry-les-Mines : former lead and silver mines - Jules Renard statue – 17th-century château, open to visitors 15/06 to 15/09, tel 03 86 20 11 48 – Pazy - La Chaise: former port from where river mariners floated logs downstream – Yonne reservoir – Sardy-les-Epiry: the series of stepped locks - La Collancelle: celebrated for its three vaulted tunnels – the highest point on the Canal du Nivernais, at the watershed dividing the river systems of the Loire and Seine Basins - Bazolles: for the Baye and Vaux lakes and the outdoor sports and recreation centre – possibility of hiring boats to travel through the vaulted tunnels – an idyllic spot for a picnic - Châtillon-en-Bazois: a lively village with a significant historic port– Château de Châtillon: castle still lived in and furnished, with landscaped grounds, orangery and kitchen gardens, open to visitors daily on guided tours 15/07 to 29/08, tel 03 86 84 12 15.
Markets
Corbigny: Friday mornings
Châtillon-en-Bazois: Thursday mornings
