Between Auxerre and Decize, the Canal du Nivernais unfolds over 174 km one of Burgundy’s most peaceful towpaths, dotted with locks, stone villages and oak forests.
A flat cycle route along the water
From Clamecy, a comfortable stage of about 40 km links the villages of Châtel-Censoir and Mailly-le-Château, with virtually no elevation change over the whole distance. The towpath, a mix of stabilized surface and pavement depending on the section, runs alongside the canal throughout.
A historic canal at the heart of the Nièvre
The Canal du Nivernais crosses limestone cliffs, centuries-old forests and stone villages, punctuated by locks, stone bridges, drawbridges and lock-keepers’ houses along the way. Far from the technical descents of the great mountain passes, it offers families a calm immersion in the Burgundy countryside.
How to approach the ride
The flat, safe route lets you freely adjust the distance covered depending on the children’s age, with the option to stop at any time in one of the many stopover villages along the canal.
When to ride it
April to October, ideally in spring and early autumn when the vegetation is at its best and temperatures are still mild enough to ride all day.
Good to know
For a multi-day trip, many families split the route into stages of 30 to 50 km, taking advantage of the accommodation and bike rental shops set up in the villages along the canal.
