The village of Vandenesse en Auxois
#VandenesseEnAuxois
Nearby monument: The castle of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
Canal locks: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Saône side
Next upstream Saône side village: Escommes
Next downstream Saône side village: Crugey
Vandenesse-en-Auxoisis a quiet village near the summit of the canal 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 lock 8 and lock 9 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, there are two well-known local restaurants, with great 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 very good. Most weekends, you will find larger hotel barges in the deep mooring.
Port of Vandenesse: between lock 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 are 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 to accompany them.
When cruising upstream be careful in the staircase of locks. There is often a sluice gate open on the right side below the lock allowing water to flow from above. In later summer the current can be quite strong and will tend to pull you over to the right just before going into the lock. Boom!
Places to visit
If you enjoy walking or cycling you can visit the famous medieval village of Chateauneuf. There is also Panthier reservoir, with windsurfing, sailing and swimming at 5 km. Another beautiful chateau is at 8 km in the village of Commarin.
Chateauneuf-en-Auxois a medieval village and castle | 5 kilometres |
Commarin chateau | 8 kilometres |
Panthier reservoir | 5 kilometres |
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 there is a great Fireworks display over the water at the port.
Throughout the summer there are "Vide Grenier" (Carboot sales) and the occasional market.