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Discover the summit of the canal
At the summit of the canal, a tunnel was built from Pouilly-en-Auxois to Escommes. The tunnel crosses the water dividing line, passing through the hills which separate the Yonne and Saone river valleys.
- How the tunnel was built, with an animation showing the original plans
Facts and figures about the tunnel
Length : 3.333 kilometres long
Width : 5.80 metres
Height above the average water level : 3,25 metres
32 ventalation tunnels, the deepest at 50 metres
The construction of the tunnel was completed in 1832, finally allowing the passage of barges across Burgundy and for cargo to be transported from the north to the south of France.
If your cruise program takes you through the tunnel then you'll enjoy this. The bigger your barge the longer it will take to pass the tunnel. On small hire boats the journey should last 40 minutes to an hour. For a barge 30 metres long count 2 hours, for a 38 metre barge 3 hours.
The traffic is always in one direction. Traffic is regulated by the lock keepers at each end of the tunnel; ecluse 1 Yonne and ecluse 1 Saône. You must have permission from one of the lock keepers to pass the tunnel & your boat must be equipped with lighting, and life jackets. Hence your are not allowed through on canoes, rafts etc.
The tunnel is now equipped with lighting and has been renovated to mmet the European safety standards.
The electric tug arriving in Pouilly en Auxois after passing the tunnel and towing cargo barges. Dated 1921
This is a close up of the previous photograph. You can see the chain on which the electric tug pulled, and the metal arm that is touching the electric cables above.
The tug leaving Pouilly en Auxois, heading towards the tunnel and Escommes, dates from 1913.
The same bridge as in the previous photograph. The metal bridge crossing the canal is the railway. The bridge was blown up during the second World War.
Very interesting photo taken in 1921, to the right is the electric tug, just behind is the steam powered version of the tug, which was not kept in service for very long. The three barges that are cruising beloned to the "Company General de Navigation" from Paris, they are horse drawn as can be seen in the photo below. This can also be confirmed by the huge size of the rudders, which was required on non motorised boats, giving the barge some "helm."
Close-up of the previous photo, note the horses on the left pulling the barge as it approaches the lock at Pouilly en Auxois
On this postcard the entrance to the tunnel dated in 1903. The canal is frozen over, it is also interesting to notice all the wooden poles that are in place holding the electric cable for the tug.
Many thanks to Brigitte for the postcards