The waterways of France have their own vocabulary, so we’ve put together some useful French waterways terms that you’re sure to read, hear, and quite possibly use when you take your next hotel barge cruise…
Useful French Waterways Terms
![Canal de Bourgogne - On Deck Views of the Canal de Bourgogne from on Deck](https://gobargingwp-s3.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Canal-de-Bourgogne-On-Deck.jpg)
Péniche
(barge)
A type of river or canal-based transport, used for the haulage of heavy goods and cargo along the French waterways. Today, many have been refurbished as luxury floating hotels
![limpressionniste_cruising_past_chateauneuf-800x533 Luxury hotel barge, L'Impressionniste cruising past chateuneuf in Burgundy, France](https://gobargingwp-s3.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/limpressionniste_cruising_past_chateauneuf-800x533.jpg)
Pont-canal
(aqueduct)
An aqueduct allows boats to pass over another canal, river, road or railway. Three of France’s most iconic include Pont-Canal d’Agen (Canal de Garonne), Pont-Canal du Briare (River Loire), and Pont-Canal de l’Orb
![Briare Aqueduct French River Cruises aboard Renaissance on the Canal de Briare](https://gobargingwp-s3.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Renaissance-Crossing-the-Briare-Aqueduct-2.jpg)
Aval
(down stream)
This useful French waterways term refers to the downward direction of travel (towards the sea) on a canal or river
![l'Art de Vivre leaving lock 60 Ravereau l'Art de Vivre leaving lock 60 Ravereau](https://gobargingwp-s3.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/art-lock2.jpg)
Amont
(up stream)
The term amont refers to the upward direction of travel (towards the summit) on the French waterways’ canals or rivers
![belcruise belcruise](https://gobargingwp-s3.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/belcruise.jpg)
Plan Incliné
(inclined plane)
Similar to a funicular railway, a plane incliné is a fascinating system which uses less water than a flight of canal locks. Boats may be conveyed afloat in caissons, or carried in cradles or swings
![Panache - Arzviller Boat Elevator (1)](https://gobargingwp-s3.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Panache-Arzviller-Boat-Elevator-1.jpg)
Écluse
(lock)
A much-loved part of the French waterways, a lock is a chamber on a canal or river with gates and sluices at either end, which can be opened and closed to change the water level. It is used for raising or lowering boats
![Family Cruise - Kids help with Lock private charter cruises, children helping navigate canal locks with european waterways](https://gobargingwp-s3.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Family-Cruise-Kids-help-with-Lock.jpg)
Echelle d’écluses
(lock flight)
A series of locks in close proximity to one another, constructed when the gradient is too steep for one rise. Generally the pound between the locks is wide enough to allow vessels to pass
![European-Waterways-26 A series of locks in close proximity to one another, constructed when the gradient is too steep for one rise. Generally the pound between the locks is wide enough to allow vessels to pass.](https://gobargingwp-s3.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/European-Waterways-26-1-800x533.jpg)
Éclusier / Éclusière
(lock keeper)
The (often resident) lock keeper is a pivotal part of the waterways experience. He or she is responsible for the safe passage of boats through a lock. Spot the often quirky lockhouses along the route – another highlight of canal life…
![Cullochy-Lock Cullochy-Lock](https://gobargingwp-s3.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/107.-Cullochy-Lock.jpg)
Timonerie
(wheelhouse)
An essential French waterways term, the Timonerie is the room in which you’ll find the vessel’s wheel, alongside the captain and crew (depending on the boat size). A boat’s wheelhouse can be dismantled or lowered to pass easily under low hanging bridges
![Spirit of Scotland Wheelhouse The structure surrounding or enclosing the wheel, protecting the captain and crew from adverse weather. Can be dismantled/lowered to pass under low bridges.](https://gobargingwp-s3.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/spi_wheelhouse2.jpg)
Inspired?
Put your newly-acquired French waterways terms to the test on a 6-night cruise aboard our luxury hotel barges. Discover France’s sweeping waterways from the Canal du Midi, Alsace & Lorraine, Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire Valley, Gascony, Bordeaux and beyond…
Speak to our Cruise team today, or why not order your copy of our glossy brochure to browse at your leisure.