The small town of BRIARE, 10km from Gien on the Orléans–Nevers road and the Paris–Nevers rail line, centres on its Belle Époque iron aqueduct, the Pont Canal, linking the Canal de Briare to the north with the Canal Lateral à la Loire, which runs south to the Saône. The design of the Pont Canal came from the workshops of Gustav Eiffel (of Tower fame), but parts of the canal scheme date back to the early seventeenth century, when internal waterways linking the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Channel coasts were devised. Poised high above the Loire, you can walk along the aqueduct's extraordinary 625-metre span, with its wrought-iron crested lamps and railings, hopefully without a bâteau-mouche spoiling the effect.On the opposite side of town from the canal, at the northern end, the tiny Maison des Deux Marines (June–Sept 10am–12.30pm & 1.30–6.30pm; Oct & March–May 2–6pm; €2.30) is dedicated to the rival boatmen who plied the Loire and the Canal Lateral. Just across the street, the modest Musée de la Mosaïque et des Emaux (daily: June–Sept 10–6.30pm; Oct–Dec & Feb–May 2–6pm; €4), has a small collection of reproduction and contemporary mosaics made using locally manufactured tiles – Briare's wares adorn sites as prestigious and varied as the mosque at Medina and Paris's RER stations. The tourist office, 1 place Charles-de-Gaulle (daily 10am–noon & 2–5pm; tel 02.38.31.24.51), can provide details of canal boats and canoe rental as well as maps of footpaths, towpaths and the locks (the one at Chatillon-sur-Loire, 4km upstream, is particularly appealing). For accommodation, the modern Hôtel le Canal at 19 rue du Pont-Canal (tel 02.38.31.24.24, [email protected]; €30–55) is right next to the bridge.
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