Customer Reviews

Cruising French Waterways

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Now in this updated and expanded fourth edition, Hugh McKnight continues to draw upon his nearly four decades of experience and undeniable expertise in making Cruising French Waterways an essential reference and guidebook for anyone wanting to sail or motorboat along one of France's 5000 miles of waterways. Extensive descriptions of scenery and historic locales make Cruising French Waterways as ideal for armchair travelers as it is for vacationers whetting their anticipation for what to expect. Black-and-white and color photographs offer a glimpse of the ancient wonders waiting to be discovered. Packed with detail cover to cover, Cruising French Waterways spares no effort to explore the depth and beauty of the scenic French countryside.

I got this book as reference for a medieval historical I was writing, set partially on the Saone and Rhone rivers. This was possibly the best reference I used since I can't go over there to check out the place in person, and the people I know who have been there haven't been able to give me much information.

This book recounts incredible detail about the countryside and regional dishes, availability of shopping, hotels, and tourist spots, and there are little humorous stories about some of the stops along the way. The detailed accounts of each lock along the canals is absolutely amazing and I'm sure quite helpful for those who actually find themselves there.

Unfortunately, the canal system of France was started after my book was set, so I couldn't use the lock and interesting layovers along the canal info, but...

Now I want to go to France and cruise all these fascinating rivers and canals! I'm afraid that's going to cost considerably more than this book does. Until then, I'll continue to peruse the book and dream.

Having cruised the French Waterways for 4 summers on our own boat, we heartily recommend Hugh McKnight's guide. Without his recommendations, we would have missed our small pilgrimage to Vincent and Theo Van Gogh's graves and dozens of other sights that have made our cruises truly memorable. Even though our information packed copy is an older edition, we use it almost every day--must buy a new one!

This book is great, it not only tells you about each canal but also gives you a history of the canals and a break down of the area you are travelling through and lots more information.

I bought his book not only to have a reference to canal travel but to scope out costs of such travel. While there are several, not easily found cost references, I found no specific information leading to the unavoidable conclusion that the old adage, "if you have to ask, you can't afford it", applies. Which I resent. Mr. McKnight should re-write this book adding what the costs of entering each canal, what are the average costs of meals, wine, fuel, and comparisons of food among the various sources on that route. I am not an inexperienced traveler and always have some advance feeling for cost so that unplanned surprise costs are not faced. I can understand his reluctance to include costs, as so many change fairly rapidly, but relative costs should be an important part of all travel books.