View over the canal

You have arrived at the marina, overlooking the banks of the canal. It’s one of the most popular spots in town! This 60km-long canal links Roanne to Digoin, connecting the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions. The canal is supplied by the Loire. Ideal for walking or cycling! The section between Roanne and Charlieu is known as the Véloire, a 25-kilometre greenway that will delight both hikers and cyclists who want to discover the banks of the canal. For those who would rather be out on the water, you can rent electric boats from the port without a licence. There are also cruises that will take you on a tour of the Roanne region. You can stop off at any of the 10 stops along the way. First, let’s travel back in time. The canal was not built simply for the pleasure of strolling along it. It was designed between 1830 and 1836 to transport goods to and from the city. Due to the rapid increase in demand at the height of the Industrial Revolution, the Loire was no longer sufficient. The canal linked the town to the north and east of France, enabling tiles, thread and fabric to be shipped from Roanne and Charlieu. Mineral water was also shipped from Saint-Galmier, while coal and cotton were imported. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the canal gradually ceased to be used for trade, and was instead adapted for tourism. However, this development almost never saw the light of day because in the 1970s, the government planned to turn the canal into a highway… Fortunately, the people of Roanne were there to protest in order to keep this little haven of peace which has been nicknamed the ‘quiet canal’ intact! Feel free to wander around as you please – what’s more, you’re only a stone’s throw from the Loire which is on the other side!