Located at the confluence of the Saône, the Canal de Bourgogne and the Canal Rhin-Rhône, Saint-Jean-de-Losne was an important inland shipping centre until the beginning of the 20th century.
Travellers may wish to rent a holiday apartment for their stay in Saint-Jean-de-Losne.
Waterways and shipping
The stepped quays on the right bank of the Saône comprise seven steps dating from 1837 to 1842. Today, they are designed as a mooring area for river shipping. Licence-free pénichettes can be hired at the port of Saint-Jean-de-Losne; before departure, a basic technical briefing is provided and an individual route is prepared.
At Port Bernard, there is a slipway providing free access to the water and for launching boats.
Culture and history
The ASTER péniche is the last wooden péniche built in France and is listed as a Monument historique and a Bateau d’Intérêt patrimonial. Guided tours explain the operations at this unique boatyard and the volunteer work dedicated to preserving an exceptional maritime heritage.
The Musée de la batellerie is housed in a 15th-century building and presents two centuries of inland shipping history in three exhibition rooms.
The Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste has an organ built by Bénigne Boillot in 1768, which is classified as a Monument historique and is in an almost original state of preservation. The church is also roofed with glazed tiles dating from the 16th century.
A guided tour of Saint-Jean-de-Losne offers the chance to discover the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the Monument de la Délibération and the town hall in a former 18th-century town palace.
Exploring on foot and by bike
The Balade des mariniers comprises three circular walks focusing on inland shipping, the lives of the mariniers, the activities and expertise of river shipping, and the town’s heritage. It is accessible year-round and uses information panels and games for children.
The Voie Verte du canal de Bourgogne begins at the port of Saint-Jean-de-Losne and follows a 29-kilometre, fully secured, flat and easily accessible route to the port of the Canal de Dijon.
