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Recommended books for users of the EuroCanals Guides |
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When I began to write out this list, I found that many of the books that I own and might want to include on the list are not only outdated but are also not generally available for purchase. I have listed only those for which I can find a current source. If you know of other worthwhile books or videos, you may be able to find them by using the Search box at the bottom of this page. I would be happy to receive your message with suggestions or comments. Send an e-mail |
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The CD-ROM is updated annually. It includes:
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Cruising French Waterways by Hugh McKnight Sheridan House, Fourth Edition, 2005 (First Published 1984) 296 pages, softbound, 9 3/4 in H X 7 1/2 in W This is the classic guide, generally accepted as the standard descriptive work covering all of the waterways in the extensive French network. The author has personally traveled on every waterway for over thirty years, usually aboard his canal cruiser Avonbay. Organized by region, each waterway is described in great detail. Included in the description are comments regarding navigation, history, restaurants, shopping and interesting local features. Each chapter starts with a paragraph or two that summarize the waterway, followed by a Brief History that can often cover several centuries of activities in constructing and using the canal or river. Photos and hand-drawn maps supplement some chapters. Although there is a worthwhile, but brief, discussion of selecting a vessel and preparing for a cruise, the author notes that: "The intention of this book is to describe the waterways themselves..." He then goes on to do just that in a very enjoyable, though somewhat dense style. This is a book that should be read first at home before beginning the journey, then on board each night before the next day’s travel. Even at the slow speed of canal cruising, it is not suitable for the helmsman to be looking at this book as the boat approaches a lock or mooring.. |
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The European Waterways: A User’s Guide by Marian Martin Sheridan House, Second Edition, November 2003 (First Published 1997) 192 pages, softbound, 9 1/2 in H X 6 in W My copy of this book (First Edition) is sub-titled A Manual For First Time Users, an apt description. It includes a discussion of suitable boats and their equipment, waterway regulations and signs, and an extensive section on boat handling techniques on inland waterways and in locks. The writing style is very crisp and clear. I highly recommend this book, one to be carried onboard. |
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Barging in Europe by Roger Van Dyken Cedarbrook Press, Second Edition 2005 Softbound, 8 1/8 in H X 5 1/4 in W $22.95 New edition now available. Order from Cedarbrook Press, Based on an American family’s experience of buying a Dutch barge and traveling the waterways of Holland, Belgium, France and Germany for 18 months, this book is a practical, hands-on guide to handling a barge on the European waterways. It is almost entirely about the barge itself, with details on locating a suitable vessel, selecting the proper equipment, and then navigating through both the easy and the difficult waterways found in Europe. It’s a step-by-step guide to achieving a dream. Recommended for anyone thinking of buying or operating a vessel in Europe, even if the eventual selection turns out to be a much smaller boat. |
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Floating Through France - By Catamaran from the Channel to the Camargue by Brenda Davison. Librario Publishing Ltd, 2002: 233 pages softbound, This book describes the journey of Brenda and her husband John along the French canals in 1999, entering from the English Channel at St Valery (mouth of the Canal de la Somme) then south through the Champagne and Burgundy regions and down the Saone and Rhone rivers to winter storage at Port-St-Louis on the Med. It is a very entertaining read, but more than that it offers a great deal of useful information for those who are thinking about cruising the French canals but haven't yet tried it. The Davisons were experienced sailors (from Liverpool, England) but had no knowledge of the canals other than word-of-mouth warnings about rude Frenchmen, aggressive commercial bargees and difficult locks. They set off anyway, with a limited budget and aboard a catamaran, not usually regarded as ideal for canal travel. They encountered difficulties along the way and dealt with them; these anecdotes give an excellent feel for the day-to-day problems that come up and show that each can be overcome with ingenuity, perseverance and some basic French language skills. The horror stories that they had heard were found to be untrue or easily handled with a little patience and the proper attitude. I also enjoyed the sightseeing descriptions and history of some of the towns that were visited, even for those that I had been to myself. In almost all cases I learned something new about the town and the descriptions made me feel that I was walking those streets again. For updated information and to order the book, go to: www.davisons-afloat.com |
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Floating Through Holland (and Belgium) by Brenda Davison Self-published by Brenda Davison through www.lulu.com This is the follow-on book by the same author, after they had decided to put the catamaran up for sale and buy a Dutch steel cruiser. This is the story of finding and buying a suitable cruiser, then traveling from the center of the Netherlands south to Belgium and France. As with the first book, the challenges of navigating on a strange boat, finding a mooring, shopping and using locks are described in interesting detail. Sightseeing notes for the NL cities of Harderwijk, Kampen, Arnhem and Maastricht and the BE cities of Liége and Namur will be of interest to those planning a similar route (on the Maas/Meuse river.) |
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Two highly enjoyable books written by John Liley; out of print but available from booksellers through amazon.com: France - the quiet way Barge Country - An exploration of the Netherlands Waterways Although written thirty years ago, these books can provide useful information about cruising aboard one's own barge in Europe while providing a very entertaining read. They are companion editions chronicling Liley's experiences in buying a steel barge in England, fitting it out for extended cruising (in minimal comfort) and crossing the channel as one of the first recreational barge travelers on the French and Dutch waterways. |
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Links: |
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Canal Cruising in the South of France: The Romantic Canal du Midi www.SeaFeverGear.com |
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Inland Waterways International Online Shop www.inlandwaterwaysinternational.org/books.html |
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