THE CANAL DE BRIARE

In 1604, King Henry IV of France and Minister Sully wanted to improve communications between the provinces of the realm and decided to link the Loire and the Seine. Hugues Cosnier, a builder of genius, obtained from the king the right to dig a canal which would cross mountains. The first navigation canal with watershed came into being. Well designed, full of innovative features for the times and constantly improved, this canal drew busy traffic until the railway arrived. Thanks to Europe’s longest metal canal-bridge which strides across the Loire at BRIARE, this canal has now become an essential passage for European tourists who, in ever-greater numbers, now travel along France’s many rivers and canals.