Have you ever heard of boat lifts?
Today, we take you on a journey of discovery of these architectural structures that can be found along some canals and rivers in France, Europe and the world!
Real technological feats, these mechanical devices allow ships to overcome significant differences in water levels, thus replacing many locks. These structures are also much faster and require less water consumption than a lock.
Several technological systems exist and there are four different types of lifts:
through which the boat is moved up or down. You can find them on our cruises along the Oder in Niederfinow in Germany or along the Elbe in Scharnebeck.
which move the boat diagonally along a slope. You can experience it during our cruise from the Marne to the Rhine Canal on board our Madeleine barge.
where the boat is moved up or down by pivoting around a metal axis. One of the most impressive in Europe is the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland.
where the volume of water will lower or raise the boat, similar to a lock but overcoming a much greater level of difference in elevation.
There are 16 boat lifts in Europe, including 6 in France.
Some vessels in our fleet, due to their adapted dimensions, cross 3 to 16 European boat lifts each year.
If you would like to experience one of these installations one day, we have selected for you the different itineraries that allow you to cross these boat lifts!
