The Meuse river route (previously known as Canal de l'Est) has long been a favored route for travel between Netherlands/Belgium and central or southern France. The northern portion is a twisting scenic river through the Ardennes mountains (shown above at Haybes.) The southern portion (Canal de la Meuse) has been almost entirely canalized and runs alongside the natural Meuse river, although some sections are in the river itself.

The Meuse river and Canal de la Meuse offer important connections into other parts of France. Near the junction of the canal with the river, Canal des Ardennes leads southwest to Reims and on to Paris via the Marne river. The southern end of Canal de la Meuse joins the Canal de la Marne au Rhin for routes west to Paris, east to Strasbourg or south on Canal des Vosges to central and southern France.

Meuse river and Canal de la Meuse are described in the EuroCanals Guide:

Eastern France