One-way cruise Vermenton & Saint Florentin Summary How to find us? p. 2 On your arrival p. 6 Welcome aboard! Thank you for choosing France Afloat for your boating holiday. We look forward to welcoming you. The following information will give you some general hints on what to expect from a boating holiday on the French waterways and will help you plan this great adventure! Boat inventory p. 6 Some practical advice p. 7 - navigation - locks - fishing - one way cruise - navigation charge - money Optional extras Services at the base and in the village - shops - accommodation - restaurants p. 8 p. 8 1
How to find us? How to get to the base of Vermenton By car : You can leave your car in an enclosed carpark for the duration of your stay. Please refer to the information in Optional extras From A6 Sud (Avallon) France Afloat 1, Quai du Port 89 270 Vermenton 03.86.81.54.55 Office hours from Monday to Saturday : 9h to 12h30 and 13h30 to 17h On A6 motorway, take the exit 21 Nitry Go straight on Turn right on D 944 Turn left towards Vermenton Keep going D49 Turn right on RN6 / D606 towards Vermenton Go ahead D606 Turn left on Rue de la Fontaine Come along Rue du Flottage Follow the signs «Port de plaisance» 700m 300m 1.4km 4.7km 7.2km 210m 450m 2
From A6 Nord (Auxerre) How to get to the base of Saint Florentin Port fluvial Avenue de la gare 89 600 Saint Florentin Take the exit 20 Venoy. 450m Go straight on 350m Turn right on N65.. 4.6km At Auxerre, at the roundabout, take the 3 rd exit onto D606... 21.9km At the entrance of the village, just before the name sign for Vermenton, turn right down the lane.. 210m Cross the Place de la Fontaine, turn right And follow «port de plaisance» Come along Rue du Flottage... 450m By car : You can leave you car in a parking area or a garage during your stay. Please refer to the information in Optional extras 3
From A6 North (Paris) From A6/E15/E60 South (Beaune) On A105 motorway, pass near Moissy-Cramayel Follow directions Lyon/Provins/Troyes/Melun 450m From the A5, take the exit 19 Saint Florentin Cross the roundabout and keep going on 88m Take left 1.4km At Vulaines, turn right 4.1m Take right on D30 toward Venizy 21km At Venizy, Turn left Rue St Fiacre 4.1km At Saint-Florentin, turn right street Jules Lancôme 509m Take right Avenue du 8 mai 1945 1.4km Turn right Avenue de la gare You have arrived, the port de plaisance is ahead Take the exit 20 Auxerre Sud Follow signs for Auxerre Take right N6 Follow directions Troyes/Moneteau/St Florentin At the roundabout, take the first exit N77 Follow directions Troyes/Jonches/St Florentin Turn left towards Saint Florentin having crossed the river and the canal Turn left again towards the Port de Plaisance 1km 27km 4
By Train : The following tariffs and times are given as indications only and may be modified by the train company. (See www.sncf.com) To Vermenton : The railway station of Saint Florentin-Vergigny is a 15 minute walk from the port, along a main road. We can organize a taxi on request. By Taxi : Departure from the railway station in Paris Bercy at 12h38 Arrival at the railway station of Vermenton at 14h50 Duration : 2h12 Departure from the railway station of Vermenton at 11h20 Arrival at the railway station of Paris Bercy at 13h22 Duration : 2h02 Tarif : 29.40 one-way journey 58.80 return journey Annette Devry at Sermizelles 06.87.41.16.69 or 03.86.32.36.63 annette.devry@orange.fr & Azur at Saint Florentin 03.86.43.73.73 nonat.j@orange.fr The railway station of Vermenton is a 5 minute walk from the port. To Saint Florentin : Departure from the railway station in Paris Bercy at 10h38 Arrival at the railway station of Saint Florentin-Vergigny at 12h14 Duration : 1h36 Departure from the railway station of Saint Florentin at 10h46 Arrival at the railway station of Paris Bercy at 12h22 Duration: 1h36 Tarifs : 26.80 one-way journey 53.60 return journey Journey Day Tariff Night Tariff & Bank holidays Vermenton Saint-Florentin 110 165 St Florentin- St Florentin port 10 15 Vergigny station Laroche Saint Florentin 40 60 Migennes station Auxerre Saint Florentin 60 90 Paris airport Saint Florentin 280 360 Clamecy Vermenton 75 115 Laroche- Vermenton 100 150 Migennes station Auxerre Vermenton 60 90 Clamecy Vézelay 50 70 Paris airport Vermenton 410 (toll included) Tariffs may be modified by the taxi companies. 610 (toll included) 5
On your arrival On your arrival, we will begin with the administrative formalities. During the boat handover, a technician will accompany you and give you full instruction on the operation of your boat. Your boat will be ready for you from 3 p.m. If you arrive earlier, take this time to do your shopping. Or if you prefer, we can offer this service. You will have received a Chandlers list with details of shopping service offered. Please let us know your requests at least one week in advance. Please advise us if you will be arriving after 5 p.m! - If you do arrive after 6 p.m, you will be shown the basic working of the boat but will not be able to leave that evening. - If you arrive later than 7 p.m, you must call to check the name of your boat as there may not be anyone at the base to check you in. Inventory of the boat The following list gives you an idea of the items generally supplied, out maybe subject to change or variation. Comfort : sheets, pillows with pillowcases, duvet with duvet covers (towels provided on Euroclassics and Linssen boats). Kitchen and dishes : A range of cooking utensils including, kettle (not electric), casserole dishes, mixing bowl, colander, chopping board, tea pot and cafetière (not electric). Selection of crockery and cutlery, cups and saucers, bowls, plates, glasses, egg cups, condiment set, breadbasket. Hob (gas), oven or microwave (220v) depending on model of boats. General : washing up bowl, dish cloths, bin, dustpan and brush, floor cloth, broom, toilet brush, first aid kit, canal map, cruising tips, tourist information. Armament : The boats are equipped with the prescribed number of life jackets and life buoys (Please ask us for children s life jackets); mooring pins, hammer, fire extinguishers, boat hook, fenders, hose pipe, gang plank, mop and bucket. What should you remember to bring? A small cleaning kit (washing up liquid, abrasive sponge, toilet paper, matches, surface cleaner, bin bag) is provided. - Towels (supplied on the Euroclassics and Linssen boats) - A flashlight, non-slip shoes and gloves for the ropes. 6
- Stock up on heavy items before you leave but take advantage of the opportunities to visit the markets, bakeries and grocers along the way. Navigation : Some practical advice The driving is relatively easy. You will receive full instruction prior to your departure with the technician. However, do not forget that a basic level of physical ability, agility and common sense are required during a cruising trip! Locks : Most of the locks are either manned by lock keepers or are automatic. During your boating holiday, you will have to lock through! It is an easy and fun experience! Passing through a lock will take around 15 minutes and if possible we will go through the first lock with you. On the river Yonne, on the canal de Bourgogne and on the canal du Nivernais, the locks are open from 9h to 12h(or 12h30) and from 13h (or 13h30) to 19h. Locks are closed on the 1st of May and the 14th of July. Please find more information on navigation on : www.vnf.fr Fishing : Strictly speaking, you should have a license to fish. You can expect to pay around 30 Euros for a holiday licence valid for 7 days. Fishing equipment is readily available in France. One way cruise : The direction of the one way cruise will be confirmed two weeks prior to the departure. We can organize the car tranfer or the driver transfer with you when you arrive. If you choose the car transfer option, please check that you have valid insurance for us to drive your car. If you need your car earlier than the return date, please let us know on departure. Navigation charge : Your boat is supplied with enough fuel for the entire cruise, but you will have to pay the navigation charge to cover the fuel, gas and lock passage which is costed according to engine hours as per your holiday documentation (around 200 for a week). Money : In the more rural areas of France, your credit card may not be welcome in some shops and restaurants so do have some Euros with you. You can get currency from the cash dispensers at larger banks, using your credit card. If you need to change money, you will need to find a bank or goodsized post-office. 7
Optional extras Ask us in advance if you need baby facilities or if you want to reserve any of the following extras. - Bikes : Cycling is the ideal complement to cruising. There is a towpath which follows the canal and is used by walkers, bikers and joggers, so you will have plenty of opportunities to chat with the locals and visit villages along the way. - Barbecue : What could be more enjoyable than eating your meal straight from the grill in the quiet countryside? - Parasol : Essential for your holiday! (included for the Euroclassics and the Linssen models) - Parking : there is a secure parking at Vermenton plus a garage at Saint Florentin. - Map book : Good addresses, restaurants, essential visits and leisure are indicated here. The map book is available to order and will provide you the opportunity to not only plan your cruise but also any visits away from the canal.. Services at the base and the village You will find at the port all the services you need : At Vermenton : - Washing machine and dryer (5 per machine) - Wifi - Shower (2 ) - Toilets - Payment by credit card (Visa or Mastercard), cheque or cash ( ) At Saint Florentin : - Shower (2 ) - Toilets - Wifi - Payment by credit card (Visa or Mastercard), cheque ( ) or cash ( ) - Pets : Pets are welcome on board (except for Linssen boats). Please ensure they have everything they need for the cruise and that vets appointments are organized in advance. Most animals enjoy the boating experience! - Cancellation plan : Cancellation insurance is always wise to avoid any unanticipated financial loss. 8
Shops : Accomodation : Supermarcket Atac at Vermenton Service Station 24/24h Rue restif de la Bretonne Open from Monday to Saturday: 9h-12h30 and 15h-19h And Sunday : 9h-12h & Bed and breakfast 15 Place Voltaire 89270 Vermenton Hôtel Restaurant** les Tilleuls French cuisine 3 rue Descourtines at Saint Florentin 03 86 35 09 09 03 86 81 59 63 06 32 06 97 03 15.placevoltaire@orange.fr From mid June to mid September : Closed Mondays From mid September to mid June : Closed Sunday evenings and Mondays. Intermarché at Saint Florentin SA Cediflo Rue des Avrolles Open from Monday to Saturday : 9h-20h Closed Sunday Restaurants : L auberge de l espérance French cuisine 3 rue du Général de Gaule at Vermenton 03 86 81 50 42 Open from Tuesday to Saturday : 12h-14h et 19h-21h30 You will find also in Vermenton and in Saint Florentin : bakeries, post-office, cash dispensers, news-agents (tabac/presse), and local markets (Friday morning at Vermenton and Monday morning at Saint Florentin) Le Méridien Café, brasserie 20 rue du Général de Gaule at Vermenton 03 86 81 50 61 Hôtel Restaurant** les Tilleuls French cuisine 3 rue Descourtines at Saint Florentin 03 86 35 09 09 Open from Monday to Saturday : 11h - 21h From mid June to mid September: Closed Mondays From mid September to mid June: Closed Sunday evenings and Mondays. 9
Yours notes : See you soon! We trust that the fun of cruising, and the varied delights that France can offer you, will combine to give you a holiday to remember and, hopefully to repeat. France Afloat 1 Quai du Port 89270 Vermenton Tel : 03 86 81 54 55 Fax : 03 86 81 67 87 france-fluviale@orange.fr 10