At the end of a 3.5 km canal linking it to the Saône, Pont-de-Vaux marina brings pleasure boats right into the heart of town. Just 4 km from the campsite, it is the starting point for river cruises, walks, bike rides and fishing.
A canal begun in the 18th century
To bypass the winding Reyssouze, which was hard to navigate, the lord of Pont-de-Vaux was authorised in 1779 to dig a canal to the Saône. Work, entrusted to the architect Léonard Racle, began in 1783 but was not completed until the 19th century. Closed to commercial traffic in 1954, the canal was restored for pleasure boating and reopened in the 1990s. Around 3.5 km long, with a single lock, it now links Pont-de-Vaux to France’s network of some 8,000 km of navigable waterways.
The marina
In the heart of town, the marina has 225 berths with water and electricity, for boats from 4 to 22 metres. The Pays de Bâgé et de Pont-de-Vaux tourist office has its Pont-de-Vaux desk on Place de Dornhan, right by the harbour: the place to ask about boat trips, fishing and walks. Along the quays you can stroll in peace and watch the boats come and go, a stone’s throw from the town centre and the Wednesday market.
Cruises on the canal, the Saône and the Seille
From mid-April to mid-October, the Ville de Pont-de-Vaux 2, run by the tourist office, takes up to 80 passengers out from the marina. It offers sightseeing cruises and lunch cruises, passing through locks, on the Pont-de-Vaux canal, the Saône or the Seille. On board there is an air-conditioned lounge with a bar and a large sun deck. Programmes and dates change from season to season, and bookings are handled by the tourist office. If you would rather take the helm yourself, ask there about current boat hire options too.
On foot, by bike or with a fishing rod
The towpath beside the canal leads 3.5 km to the Saône and the Fleurville bridge, where you can join the Voie Bleue cycle route: a flat, peaceful outing that is ideal for families. Anglers will enjoy the Saône, where night carp fishing is allowed on a stretch near Pont-de-Vaux, and the Reyssouze, known for its zander, pike, bleak and gudgeon. Fishing permits are sold at the tourist offices and online. The marina is only about 4 km from Camping Les Ripettes.