Swimming in the French canals????

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by FilledeJoie

We spent a week on the River Lot in July 2019, it was great. The water was very clean. There were a couple of pump out stations along the way. We chartered with LeBoat, and highly recommend them.

Very happy to hear that there are pump out stations on the Lot. From what others have said about boating on EU canals they are not common.

Overall le Boat has been a positive experience but with one exception. We had originally booked this for 2020 but obviously that was canceled due to the pandemic. All the companies we had dealt with for the trip: Delta Airlilnes, AirBnB, hotels and car rentals gave us refunds without a problem. The only exception was le Boat where they would only give us a credit for a future trip AND required that we take the trip within 12 months of the original booking or lose the deposit which was a few thousand dollars. That did not make me happy.

[gonesail]

Originally Posted by skipmac

hikers in the US used to advocate drinking from clear mountain streams but that clear mountain stream can be polluted with all sorts of nasty bacteria.

all inland streams in the US require filters or boiling before drinking .. due to the giardia parasite.

[Colin Stone]

I swim in French canals and rivers regularly. Canals have to be clear, often the summit pound, and rivers flowing. Although I didn't go into the Somme for a while after a very long snake swam past! I go in from a boarding ladder and keep head dry.
And when cycling on a very hot day, we'll jump into or lie in a cool stream.
Certainly locks etc have no swimming, but from the canal and river banks, I've not seen many restrictions.

[boat driver]

Originally Posted by seandepagnier

I swam in the great dismal swamp canal and I consider it clean enough. I was the only boat there for the entire week I spent there.

you swam in the great dismal swamp? it is not dirty but the gators and other life might have worked you over. damn snakes alone are worth staying out of the water.

[Juggerknot]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Seems like the experience of all just confirms what I already assumed. Don't go in the water. I was just hoping to learn my assumptions were wrong but apparently not.

Too bad as some of the photos of the River Lot look quite lovely and I do enjoy a good swim.

A quick search of the interweb turned up this: Lot, Célé and Aveyron Wild Swimming - outdoors in rivers, lakes and the sea

https://www.tourism-occitanie.co.uk/...kes-and-rivers

Here it claims over 20 natural pools and swimming spots so indeed it appears to be a destination of bathers, enjoy and safe travels...

[Kalinka1]

Le Boat. has boats in Ontario on the Rideau Canal which is a collection of lakes rivers and canal sections. Can swim anywhere. could you change your reservation?

[ameehan]

Would not advise swimming in French canals, besides all the obvious reasons there are lots of dead animals, large and small, floating in water..
AM

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by ameehan

Would not advise swimming in French canals, besides all the obvious reasons there are lots of dead animals, large and small, floating in water..

AM

Just to be clear the River Lot is just that a river. It’s not a canal even though parts of it are canalised, many French rivers have swimming places and what not.

Many French canals are actually very clean , the MIDI being an exception especially in the summer.

Least you get the wrong impression there are not “ lots “ of dead animals in French canals. No more then any canal.

Travelling by French canal and or French rivers is an enchanting experience , wonderful villages , nice people ( always have your “ bonjours “ ready ) and of course the best food on the planet. What’s not to like.

[PiAn]

Can you sail up to Capdenac ? Very nice if you can.
But no, swimming in Canal du Midi is not recommended - for example rowing club would oblige a full shower if you do. You have several risks, and maybe some of them also in the Lot :
- Rats and Leptospirose
- Cities sewage plants
- Agricultural products
So the **** of the other boats, to be crude, is not the key point !
Nevertheless you'll see some people swimming, of course...

But you can swim in Etang de Thau - and the sea close to it - some small nearby rivers.

[Kinpa_1951]

Hrre is the link to the tourist Association of River Lot, which has many nice spots where swimming is Safe. It should also be available in english. Enjoy your holiday.


https://www.tourisme-lot.com/les-inc...-eau-naturelle

[Andrew__Lewis]

We've done a couple of barging trips, one on the Canal du Midi and on in the Loire Valley.

My understanding is that swimming is not allowed.

As you mentioned, no holding tanks, no pump out stations, so there's a lot of stuff in the rivers. Hence them asking you not to use the heads while in the locks

[Richbayle]

Nooooo
No swimming in the French canals..

The canals are filthy, the countryside beautiful, definitely no swimming unless you want wiles disease

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Richbayle

Nooooo

No swimming in the French canals..



The canals are filthy, the countryside beautiful, definitely no swimming unless you want wiles disease

Good god the poor OP asked about the river lot

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Hesti

Do as the locals do. If they swim - it should be okish, if they don't, don't.

Ive seen locals swimming in many places I would not even consider. Not in France, but many other places.

[Juggerknot]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Ive seen locals swimming in many places I would not even consider. Not in France, but many other places.

Hahaha, yeah. A local kid fell in near the water taxis in Altamira and got the flesh eating bacteria, killed him. I'd run across crocs lined up before I go in that water!