Waterway traffic restrictions on key canals in France

Dijon – 21 July 2026: Persistent drought continues to restrict inland waterway traffic in France. The state network operator Voies navigables de France (VNF) announced new measures for several waterways on Monday. The north-south connection through Burgundy is particularly affected. Low inflows and heavily depleted reservoir reserves are forcing the operator to close sections or reduce the permitted water depth.

Since 21 July, the canal between Champagne and Burgundy has been closed to waterway traffic. On the Canal de Bourgogne, VNF had previously suspended operations on the Saône side. The situation on the Yonne side has now also worsened: traffic between Pouilly-en-Auxois and Ancy-le-Franc has been interrupted since 19 July. The reason is the very low inflow of the Armançon River and unusually low reserves in the storage basins.

On the section between Ancy-le-Franc and Migennes, the water level has been lowered to 1.50 metres to conserve the remaining reserves. VNF does not rule out the possibility that this section will also have to be closed temporarily if water levels continue to fall. In addition, the Canal latéral à la Loire has been closed east of the Thaleine lock. This means that an important connection between northern and southern France can only be used to a limited extent, or not at all, for many journeys.

For freight vessels, tourism service providers and port logistics operations, this means longer routes, changed schedules and a need for more careful cargo planning. VNF is trying to concentrate vessels on affected routes at locks and limit water losses during lock operations. These measures are intended to prevent the available water from being used up more quickly, while the operator seeks to maintain safe navigation on the remaining sections of the network.

The restrictions are taking place against the backdrop of a tense water situation nationwide. The Ministry of the Environment declared on 13 July that this summer’s drought had arrived early and was particularly severe. Natural flows in many rivers have fallen rapidly since the beginning of June. Record low levels were recorded on the Loire in July; replenishment during the low-water period had to begin early.

According to the ministry, 97 French departments recently had water-use restrictions in place, including 41 at the highest crisis level. VNF filled its reservoirs before summer, but has had to use the reserves earlier than usual. The operator will continuously update inland waterway traffic conditions over the summer. Whether additional closure orders are issued depends primarily on rainfall, temperatures and the development of inflows.