I am looking for a chart or book for inland waterway navigation

Inland waterway navigation requires documentation adapted to the specific characteristics of rivers, canals, lakes and navigable waterways. Unlike maritime navigation, inland navigation involves particular constraints such as locks, bridges, draught, air draught, dimensions of structures, navigation regulations, mooring possibilities, river ports and local restrictions.

An inland waterway chart or guide is therefore not simply a map showing the course of a river or canal. It is a navigation-planning tool that helps users identify structures and restrictions, prepare stages and obtain practical information about the waterways along their route.

Librairie Maritime Nautic Way offers a selection of inland waterway charts, maps, atlases, river guides and specialist publications for navigation in France and Europe. This documentation is suitable for recreational boaters navigating canals and rivers as well as for anyone planning an inland waterway itinerary across Europe.

Which chart should you choose for inland navigation?

The appropriate chart depends primarily on the waterway, the country and the type of navigation planned. A general map can be particularly useful when planning a long-distance itinerary, while a detailed inland waterways guide provides more information when navigating a specific river, canal or waterway network.

Several levels of documentation can complement each other when preparing an inland voyage:

• a general map to understand the overall network;

• a more detailed chart or atlas for following an itinerary;

• a detailed inland waterways guide for information about structures and local conditions;

• a directory for ports, services and relevant authorities;

• regulatory or local information when the route crosses several regions or countries.

The right document should therefore be selected according to the destination and the level of detail required.

Inland waterway maps of France

France has an extensive network of navigable canals and rivers. When planning a river cruise, a general map first helps users understand the structure of the network and the main connections between waterways.

A general map of the French inland waterways can be used to plan routes between different regions, identify major canals and locate connections between waterway basins.

It is primarily a planning document. It does not necessarily replace a detailed guide when the navigator needs precise information about individual sections of the route.

For navigation in France, specialist inland waterways guides are particularly useful because they complement cartographic information with practical details about locks, structures, restrictions, stops and available services.

Inland waterways guides: an essential complement to a map

An inland waterways guide provides different information from a chart.

A map makes it possible to visualise the geographical area and follow the route. A guide provides more descriptive and practical information about the conditions encountered during navigation and may include information about locks, bridges, ports, moorings, restrictions and services.

Inland waterways guides are therefore particularly useful when preparing a cruise in detail.

They can help answer practical questions such as:

• Where are the locks?

• What are the characteristics of a particular structure?

• Where can the boat stop overnight?

• Which ports or services are available?

• Are there draught restrictions?

• Are there air-draught limitations?

• What are the main points requiring attention along the route?

• What are the characteristics of a particular waterway?

The map and guide therefore serve complementary purposes: understanding the route and preparing the actual navigation.

Inland navigation in France: which publications should you use?

French inland waterway documentation can be organised according to major geographical areas and waterways.

Specialist guides can cover northern and central France, northeastern and southeastern France, or southern and western France. This geographical organisation makes it easier for navigators to select documentation corresponding to their itinerary.

Publications covering French inland waterways can also be used when planning cruises lasting several weeks and crossing several departments and waterway basins.

For example, a navigator planning a long cruise can first obtain an overall view of the route and then complement it with the guides corresponding to each navigable section.

Inland navigation in Europe

Inland navigation extends far beyond France. Europe's major waterways connect several countries through canals and rivers.

European inland waterways publications provide an overview of possible routes. A general map can be used to plan a journey across several countries before selecting detailed guides for the regions involved.

The Dutch, Belgian, German and French networks have specialist documentation. The Danube is also a major European inland navigation route and is covered by dedicated guides.

For international inland navigation, it is particularly important to take into account differences in regulations, navigation signs, waterway dimensions and the characteristics of locks and other structures.

Inland waterway map, atlas or general map: what is the difference?

These documents do not serve exactly the same purpose.

A general inland waterways map provides an overview of a country or part of Europe. It is particularly useful for route planning.

An inland waterways atlas generally provides more detail and allows the navigator to follow a specific waterway or network more precisely.

An inland waterways guide provides descriptive and practical information that complements the map.

A waterway directory may also provide general information about network characteristics, structures, restrictions and relevant organisations.

For a complete inland cruise, these different documents can be used together rather than considered as alternatives.

Important information when preparing an inland voyage

Before selecting a chart or guide, it is useful to identify several characteristics of both the boat and the route.

The main criteria include:

• boat length and beam;

• draught;

• air draught;

• geographical area;

• planned duration of the voyage;

• type of waterway;

• number of locks;

• dimensions of structures;

• mooring possibilities;

• ports and available services;

• local restrictions.

Air draught is particularly important on routes containing numerous bridges or low structures. Draught can also affect access to certain sections depending on navigation conditions.

These factors help determine not only which map should be used, but also which inland waterways guide is most appropriate.

How should you prepare an inland waterway cruise?

Preparation can begin with a general map of the network. This allows the navigator to determine the route, major stops and possible connections between waterways.

The next step is to select guides covering the different sections of the planned itinerary.

For a long cruise, this approach makes it possible to distinguish between two levels of information:

• overall voyage planning;

• detailed preparation of each stage.

A guide covering the inland waterways of France, for example, can provide a structured overview of the network, while a publication devoted to a particular region or route can provide more detailed information.

Imray inland waterways charts and guides

Imray has an extensive range of publications dedicated to European inland waterways. These include guides to the inland waterways of France as well as publications and maps covering the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and other major European inland routes. (Home)

The publications covering the inland waterways of France are organised into several geographical volumes. This structure is useful for navigators looking for detailed documentation covering a specific part of the French network.

Imray also publishes a general European inland waterways map providing an overview of the main networks. Such a publication is particularly useful when planning an international itinerary. (Imray)

Can a maritime chart be used for river or canal navigation?

Maritime charts and inland waterways documentation serve different purposes.

A nautical chart is designed for maritime navigation and represents information such as depths, hazards, aids to navigation and characteristics of the marine environment. Admiralty nautical charts, for example, are produced at different scales for different maritime navigation purposes. (ADMIRALTY)

An inland waterways chart or guide addresses different requirements: canals and rivers, locks, bridges, structure dimensions, draught, air draught, stopping places and practical navigation information.

For routes that are primarily inland, documentation specifically designed for inland waterway navigation is therefore generally more appropriate.

Inland waterways documentation and voyage planning

Good documentary preparation makes it easier to anticipate the constraints of an inland route.

The map provides geographical information. The guide provides practical information. Regulatory and local information can complete the preparation when necessary.

Documentation should also be sufficiently recent for the information to correspond as closely as possible to the current situation on the waterway. Operating conditions, restrictions, works, structures and available services can change.

It is therefore advisable to check the edition of a publication before an important voyage and to complement guide information with the official information available for the route.

Which documentation for which type of inland navigation?

For a first inland waterway cruise, a general map combined with a practical guide provides a useful planning basis.

For a cruise on French canals, it is appropriate to select documentation covering the specific regions and waterways included in the itinerary.

For European inland navigation, a general European map can be used to plan the route before selecting detailed guides for individual countries.

For navigation on the Danube, a dedicated river guide can complement the cartographic overview with information specific to this major European waterway.

For boats with significant draught or air draught, information about waterway and structure dimensions becomes particularly important.

Choosing documentation according to the route

There is no single inland waterway chart suitable for every inland navigation trip. The appropriate publication depends on the waterway, country, length of the journey, boat and level of detail required.

Combining a general map with specialist guides usually creates a coherent documentation set: the map helps with planning, while the guide supports detailed preparation of the route.

Librairie Maritime Nautic Way therefore brings together charts, atlases, general maps and inland waterways guides covering French and European networks and addressing different inland navigation planning requirements.

Conclusion

Choosing a chart or book for inland waterway navigation begins with identifying the route precisely. A general map is suitable for planning, while an atlas or inland waterways guide provides more detailed information about waterways, locks, bridges, restrictions, stopping places and services.

In France and throughout Europe, inland waterways publications make it possible to prepare a voyage with a clearer understanding of the network being navigated. Imray and other specialist publishers provide documentation covering major European inland waterway systems.

For a cruise on a canal, river or European network, documentation should therefore be selected according to the geographical area, the boat, the route and the level of detail required.

FAQ – Inland waterways charts and books

Which chart should I use for navigation on French canals?

A chart or atlas specifically covering French inland waterways should be used, complemented by a detailed inland waterways guide covering the planned route.

Which guide should I choose for an inland cruise in France?

The choice depends on the region and waterways involved. Imray guides to the inland waterways of France are organised into several geographical volumes covering different parts of the French network.

Is there a map showing all the inland waterways of France?

Yes. General maps provide an overview of the French inland waterways network and can be used to plan an itinerary before selecting more detailed documentation.

What is the difference between an inland waterways map and a river guide?

The map is primarily used to visualise and plan the route. The guide provides practical and descriptive information about waterways, structures, stopping places and navigation constraints.

Is there a map of European inland waterways?

Yes. General European inland waterways maps provide an overview of the major networks and can be used to plan international routes.

What documents should I take for an inland cruise in Europe?

A general map can be complemented by guides covering the countries and waterways along the route. Relevant regulatory and local information should also be taken into account.

Does draught matter when choosing an inland waterways guide?

Yes. A boat's draught may restrict access to certain sections depending on the characteristics and current conditions of the waterway. Information about navigation restrictions is therefore important.

Is air draught important on canals?

Yes. Bridges and other structures can impose height restrictions. The boat's air draught should be compared with the characteristics of the planned route.

Is a nautical chart sufficient for canal navigation?

A nautical chart is generally not the most appropriate document for primarily inland navigation. A specialist inland waterways map or guide provides information specifically related to canals and rivers.

Which documentation should I choose for navigation on the Danube?

A guide specifically dedicated to the Danube can complement a general map with information relating to this major inland European waterway.

How should I prepare an inland waterway cruise?

Start by defining the route, then identify the general maps and guides covering the waterways involved. Boat draught, air draught, dimensions, locks and navigation restrictions should all be taken into account.

Do inland waterways guides need to be up to date?

Yes. Navigation conditions, restrictions, works, structures and practical information can change. The publication edition should therefore be checked and supplemented with the official information available for the planned period of navigation.