Harbour

Berry Au Bac

Name: Berry Au Bac
Address: Lor, FR

1.4Lor, France

Maximum draught: 2.2 m

River halt at the junction of the Canal lateral a l'Aisne and the Canal de l'Aisne a la Marne, in the Aisne valley south-east of Laon.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Reached from the Canal lateral a l'Aisne or from the Canal de l'Aisne a la Marne, which begins here and climbs south towards Reims. Maximum draught 2.2 m reported on the halt pontoon. Freycinet gauge locks. Junction can see light commercial traffic.

Practical

Pontoon with water and electricity. No fuel on site. Small cafe-restaurant reported at the canal junction. Bakery and small grocery in the village within 500 m.

Ashore

Monument national des Chars de Combat and Necropole nationale de Berry-au-Bac, commemorating the first French tank engagement of 16 April 1917 during the Nivelle offensive, at 1 km from the halt. Chemin des Dames ridge rises 6 km to the north.

History

The Canal de l'Aisne a la Marne was opened in 1866 to connect the Aisne and Marne basins via Reims. Berry-au-Bac stood on the front line throughout the First World War and was destroyed then rebuilt.