The Canal l’Aisne de la Marne takes a southerly route from the Canal Lateral a l’Aisne to the Canal Lateral a la Marne. These canals are east of Paris and provided access for commercial barges from the Meuse to the Marne. The inclusion of the word “Lateral” indicates that the canal runs alongside the river. The distance is 58kms with 24 locks and a 2.3km tunnel. While the principle traffic today is pleasure boats, about 10 penuches per day still use the route, mainly transporting grain.

We made it to the small town of Loivre, just in time for a Brocante

From Loivre it was a short distance to the cathedral city of Reims. The port was closed for renovation, so we moored a little out of town. We did spend 4 days in Reims last year investigating all its highlights so instead of revisiting I stayed abroad to prepare a birthday dinner for our fellow bargee, Dave Brown.

But what about the champagne you ask. Yes there was champagne purchased from a small family owned retailer situated in an industrial park in Sillery (our next stop after Reims)

With the bilge stocked again with champagne there was little reason to linger. We had planned an 11 lock, one tunnel and 24km day to the confluence of the Canal lateral de la Marne but as the locks in this section of the canal were cooperating with our commands we decided to continue on to Chalon de Champagne (a total of 14 locks, one tunnel and 37kms away. And wouldn’t you know it, the last lock of the day decided we had experienced too much of a good run and it was time to assert its priority. After an hour wait for the VNF we finally made it into the port just in time for dinner.

Situated in the Champagne country Chalon de Champagne lies along the right bank of the Marne. Small branches of the river flow through the town, which provide the perfect vehicle for the Son et Lumiere show that takes place during the summer months. Starting once it is dark you are transported by a small electric boat through the hidden waterways of the city to view a slide show projected on some of the remarkable, monumental building that line the waterway.

Son et Lumiere in Chalon de Champagne

The images above were projected onto the chateau

On the weekend of the 24th May, there was a beer festival in town, but we wisely choose to avoid this particular fete and instead dine at Les Caudalies, a traditional French restaurants situated in an historic building

Up until this point in time we had travelled the same path as last year, but we were about to explore previously unexplored canals and rivers , as we continue our voyage east to Strasbourg.