Anchorage

Canal de Pont de Vaux

Shelter: NW, N, NE, W, E, SW, S, SE
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed

Inland canal linking the Saône to the town of Pont-de-Vaux in Ain, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Pontoon

Guide

Approach and anchoring

The canal runs 3.3 km between the Saône at PK 169 and the basin at Pont-de-Vaux. Single lock at Fleurville, VNF operated. Sheltered from all wind directions by the embankments, with no swell. Mud bottom. Along the way there are three separate stopping places, each with three or four bollards on a low stone wall and no services. The level can rise or fall about 15 cm quite quickly, so leave slack in the lines.

Practical

Halte nautique at Pont-de-Vaux with pontoons, water and electricity. Fleurville Mâcon San-Benedetto port is at the Saône entrance with fuel and a boatyard.

Ashore

Town centre of Pont-de-Vaux at the canal basin, with the Musée Chintreuil featuring the landscape painter Antoine Chintreuil born here in 1814. Local restaurants known for Bresse poultry, AOC since 1957. Weekly market on Wednesday mornings.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 46.44582, 4.90733 (46°26.75'N 4°54.44'E)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north-west, north, north-east, west, east, south-west, south, south-east winds
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed
Services: Pontoon
Boaters' rating: 4.3/5
Updated: October 15, 2026