two canals closed to traffic in the Marne

They saw each other in Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône), but will spend their holidays in Vitry-le-Francois (Marne). A Danish couple who had planned to cross France found themselves trapped by the lack of water. “The only access to Marseille is to turn around towards Paris, to be able to go down. But there is not enough water”, Explain Britta Kjelde, a Danish yachtswoman.

Due to the high temperatures, several Marne canals have been completely closed since the end of July: the Champagne-Bourgogne canal, to the south, and the Marne-Rhine canal, to the east. In places, the water level has dropped by more than a meter. Vitry-le-François is the last port where there is still enough water to moor. Britta’s partner, Jens Barslund, does not despair. “We are going to visit things here, and we are waiting for the rain. But I don’t think there will be enough until Marseille”he confides.