There's no 'catch' other than the Briare Canal is one of the oldest man-made
canals in France, and so like the Canal Du Midi and the Niverness can only
accomodate relatively smaller and lower hire boats.

Charmes Navigation rents out of Briare, and while most of their boats are
older and smaller, they have a decent reputation for keeping them in good
repair and supporting their users.

There are few fancy 'Hautes Fluvial' - so be prepared to be self-contained,
and make sure your boat has bank-stakes, and you know how to use them.

The region is pretty charming with smallish towns every 3-6Km, but do rent
bicycles if you can, many places are served only by mobile bakers and
butchers, so if you miss them you'll need to pedal to the next town.

I'm not sure what the Briare's current state is, but a few years ago it was
mostly hand-locks with student keepers - be prepared to lend a hand and keep
fit....

Cheers

Jim

"Stuart Reed" wrote in message
...
Hi All

I am thinking about hiring a cruiser in this part of Burgundy. Hire
charges
seems incredibly cheap from a base in Briare so I was wondering if there
was
a catch...

Is it bleak? Miles from any villages?

Any info gratefully received.

Stuart Reed