As there is still around a knot of tide which flows at Rouen, we timed our cruise to be with the flood and set off from the moorings around 0930. This was after our first job of the morning which was to buy a VNF license from the nearby office. Although we planned to spend around a month in France, we opted for two holiday passes, each costing €65 and valid for a period of a fortnight, rather than the 30 day license which would have cost €209. These are really designed for those who make occasional trips throughout the year, and even with the odd lay day it would not be cost effective for us.

It was a beautiful day to be on the river, almost too hot when we were out of the breeze, and we were envious of the boats with proper sunshades.

At Amfreville lock we had our first French inland lock experience. After waiting for a barge to go ahead of us, we were almost in the lock when we noticed another one coming up behind. The lock keeper waved us in and indicated we should moor alongside the first barge. However, said bargee was having none of this and a heated exchange ensued, most of which we didn't understand. In the end there was enough room for all three boats, and we rose up the slime covered walls, moving our rope to progressively higher bollards as we went.

Another 28km of idyllic cruising brought us to the picturesque town of Les Andelys, overlooked by wooded cliffs and the imposing remains of Chateau Gaillard, built in 1197 by Richard the Lionheart. Approaching the small marina, we were directed to the green pontoon just downstream, as there is now only around 1m of draught in the main basin.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 37 nm

Total to date: 1523 nm

Avg Speed: 6 knots

Duration: 6 hours

Diesel: 120 litres (est)

Mooring: Free

Electricity: N/A

Bridges

Pt Corneille

Pt Mathilde

Viaduc d'Eauplet

Pt d'Oissel

Pt de l'autoroute(A13)

Viaduc d'Orival

Pt Guynemer

Pt Jean Jaures

Pt de l'autoroute(A13)

Pt Pont de l'Arche

Pt rails du Manoir

Pt St Pierre de Vauvray

Locks

Amfreville

Min headroom: 7m

Min draught: 4m

Charts

Navicarte 1