The Somme river has its source in Fonsomme in the Aisne and flows into the Manche, in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme.
It was in 1824 that the Somme Canal, which winds from Saint-Simon (Somme) to the sea, was created. At first, the canal was used for transportation to and from the capital. During the 20th century, it was gradually replaced by road and rail transportation.
Almost abandoned by its historical manager, the Voies Navigables de France (VNF), the canal was taken over in its part downstream from Péronne by the department of the Somme in 2006.
It is with Joël Bardot, treasurer of the association of the friends of the river Somme, that we sail along the canal of the Somme.
The association aims to keep the river Somme, both in its river portion now closed and in its canalised portion, accessible, welcoming and rich in the wide heritage of this region. Created in 2014, the association federates the actions of locally established structures, kayak clubs, boaters or tourist structures. It is an effective partner of the public authorities, particularly the Voies Navigables de France.
The Canal du Midi in northern France
Joel explains, " A comparison is often made about the Somme by saying that it is the Canal du Midi du Nord. I add that it is also clearer, in the canal of the Somme we see the bottom! "Dug in the historical bed of the river Somme, the canal is one of the only ones in France to flow directly into the sea.
" The canal is a multi-faceted tourist offer for boaters, with calm and relaxing waters on one side and coastal navigation on the other "continues the guide.
The inhabitants of the department have always had a close relationship with the river. In fact, there are no less than 70 % of Somme residents who live less than 5 kilometers of the waterway. This probably explains why the facilities, transformations and services around the canal are constantly evolving, an integral part of the daily life of the locals.
" The river was, for both administrative and economic reasons, cut into three sections. The maritime part after Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, the canal itself over 120 kilometers between Peronne and Saint-Valery and the river Somme, between Fonsomme and Peronne, which is totally abandoned by VNF since 2002. "
For the bicentenary of the canal, in 2027, the association hopes that the remaining part, upstream of Offoy, will be taken over by the department to offer a complete waterway, including services. It would then be a matter of reconnecting the Saint-Quentin Canal to the Somme Canal via the reach from Saint-Simon to Offoy.
Be careful to follow the names
From Offoy to Péronne, the Somme mixes its waters with those of the north canal . Arrived at Peronne, the waters separate again and the branch somme canal enters the departmental domain, just at the passage of the Sormont lock.
A rich natural and built heritage along the canal
" All the villages around the canal make efforts to welcome and animate "Joel explains. " Remember to buy the local newspaper and ask the lockkeepers questions to keep up with what's going on, because there's always something going on nearby. "
Owners of boats with combustion engines can refuel at Cappy. " In this small port, where the association's headquarters are located, you can do almost anything "explains Joël. Bicycles, canoes, kayaks or gyropods are available for rent at this port managed by the Albert tourist office, poetically named Tourist Office of the Poppy Country . " Each year, boaters make their boats available to the public during the port festival, to show the public the canal. Count on 2 euros the walk that allows you to discover the local river heritage. "
" Still in Cappy, do not miss the restaurant Le Graal de Cappy, then in Eclusier-Vaux, the domain of the small corks "advises Joel.
" Speaking of food, the canal's surroundings are teeming with small restaurants and bars that all make an effort to offer quality and affordable food to families " continues the guide. " Just look up and see what's on the banks. "
" All services are available in Peronne, food and fuel. The port is only one kilometer from the city center and offers about twenty sites "explains the guide.
" In Froissy, do not miss the little train of the Haute Somme at the water's edge "adds Joel.
" In Corbie, the rest area located in the city center is organized in 4 different zones that must be respected " comments the guide. " All the shops are nearby. The sanitary facilities are located in the campsite right next to the stopover. "
" In Picquigny, paddle lovers can stop at the canoeing club to practice, it is also one of the most lively rafting spots on the Somme "Recommendation validated by the association's treasurer.
" Flower lovers should stop in Long. The town is in bloom all year round and is well worth a visit ". Don't miss, still in Long, the one of the first hydroelectric plants in France which brought light into homes at the beginning of the 20th century. The factory can be visited, the machines are still functional!
One cannot talk about the Somme without talking about Amiens and its famous hortillonnages . " The visit can be made all year round, by boat or on foot "Joel explains. " The cathedral is a 3 minute walk from the main port of Amiens where you will find all the services "explains the guide.
Joël specifies: " If you have spent more time in Amiens than in the city, you can buy bread in Ailly-sur-Somme or Picquigny, where you will find all the shops and very good bread! "
Visit with your family, Samara. " A small nautical relay is available on site and you can spend your day visiting this archaeological park exceptional in the region ".
" The journalist Henri Sannier, mayor of Eaucourt sur Somme, launched the restoration of the castle. A place not to be missed. "The good news is that there is a boat stop available on site, located less than 500 meters from the center of town.
Many nautical services
Although it is a modest waterway, the Somme Canal offers quality nautical services.
Six rental bases are available on the canal.
These are no less than 13 ports or stopovers that are proposed along the route and as many boat slips.
The vast majority of pontoons and ports of call offer water and electricity to boaters.
" All along the route "says Joel " you must stop at the lock houses. Almost all of them have been converted for tourist services. "Restaurants, handicrafts or small stores punctuate the route on this canal.
An old-fashioned route for modern services
The descent of the Somme canal does not present any particular difficulty. A little preparation is necessary to advise the Central Operation Post (06 74 83 60 69) of your intention to use the waterway.
" Depending on the planned navigation program, one or more lock keepers will follow the boaters' route and, at each structure, proceed with the sassement. All that is left to do is to prepare bits and gaffs for an easy passage. "explains our guide.
These lock keepers start from four operating centers spread along the canal:
- Bray-sur-Somme (for the sector of Sormont à Sailly-Laurette )
- Amiens (for the sector of Corbie à Montières )
- Long (for the Ailly-sur-Somme à Pont-Rémy )
- Saint-Valery-sur-Somme (sector of Abbeville to the somme Bay ).
In summer, the locks are from 9 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 6 pm, every day of the week ( including holidays ). From November 1st to March 31st, the sassements are done from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5 pm.
Navigation remains open at all times in the reaches, regardless of the season. The Somme Canal does not have any planned unemployment.
Finally, to complete the picture of a waterway designed for its users, an application exists ( Amount in pocket ) which allows you to indicate to the PCE your intention to pass the structures as well as to obtain tourist information on the ports and nautical halts.
The less connected - or those who want to disconnect the time of a cruise on the Somme - will use the nautical guide published by the department.
The guide's advice
When you contact the PCE for an escort, remember to announce a reasonable draft, which takes into account the boat's load in fuel and lazarette, to avoid unpleasant surprises. Also, to give the agents time to get underway, contact the operations center at least half an hour before your departure each morning, announcing the day's program. And if, by any chance, you need to make a stop when it was not planned, remember to warn the agents so that they do not have to wait unnecessarily.
In the high season, there may be a delay between your arrival on a structure and the arrival of an agent. This will probably be because he is in the process of getting a boat through elsewhere. Hence the interest, for all users, to gather as much as possible the passages at the same time.
" Discuss with the other boats that follow your route and with the agents to organize the best passages "The tourism committee explains.
The Saint-Valery-sur-Somme lock is subject to tidal conditions. The agents are at their post 2 h 30 before the open sea for passages that can only be made for an hour to half an hour ( according to the coefficients ) before this full sea.
If most of the locks can be passed without any difficulty, some require preparation. This is the case, in particular, of the Pont-Rémy lock. Located in a curve, the current will tend to push the back of the boat towards the outside.
The lock of La Caroline, in Amiens, is the deepest of the canal (4.20 meters), it is necessary to foresee the necessary length of end ( about ten meters ideally ).
Finally, downstream of the lock of Picquigny, a very strong cross-current requires permanent attention. Still in the area between Long and Picquigny, take a wide berth because the bends tend to silt up strongly. The channel is clearly marked and must be respected.
The speed limit is 6 kilometers per hour on the whole canal, which will obviously have to be adapted to the other users who share the lane.
" Remember to bring 2 euro coins, ideally French, which are the only ones accepted in the electricity terminals "useful precision of the guide that continues" in case of disjunction, remember to press the reset button located on the side of the terminals. "
" For water, the adapters are all present in the terminals, except in Corbie. You have to ask for them at the campsite reception "concludes Joel.
The usual precautions apply on the canal: respect the instructions of the lockkeepers, share the space by squeezing as much as possible on the right side " Good mood, sympathy and patience are the key words for a successful walk on the Somme canal "concludes the guide.
