Discover Mont-et-Marré on the Canal du Nivernais

The long, stretched-out village centre of Mont-et-Marré runs along the hillside above the Canal du Nivernais. Visitors looking to shape their stay around rural landscapes and canal history will find several highlights in the village: lock structures, restored washhouses, the Église Saint-André, and paths between the canal, bocage, and Forêt de Dély. The locks differ in location and design; the routes focus on the landscape and the course they follow.

Routes between the canal and bocage

The official tourist hiking route “Mont-et-Marré au fil de l’eau” is a 16.7 km circular route between the canal and bocage landscape. It offers a way to discover the structures of the Canal du Nivernais. The route’s length gives you a clear point of reference when planning your outing; conditions on the route may change. The car park for the circular route is on the church square in Mont-et-Marré. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

A particular rural path is also relevant for cycling: in 2024, a marked and maintained path in Mont-et-Marré was part of the “Entre Bocage et Bois de Dély” mountain biking route. As maintenance conditions may change, check the path’s condition before using it. A rural path runs through the Forêt de Dély and is used by walkers and hikers. When choosing a route, it helps to know how each one is classified: the circular route is designated as a hiking trail, the path in Mont-et-Marré is part of the mountain biking route, and the path through the Forêt de Dély is used by walkers and hikers.

Locks and construction history

On the Loire side of the Canal du Nivernais, the Orgues 2 lock complex is located in pound 12. It comprises a rubble-stone lock chamber, a lock keeper’s house on the left bank, and a well with a pulley. The lock keeper’s house at Orgues 1 was built in 1826. The double lock at Mont-et-Marré lies below Marré and is numbered 9 and 10 on the Loire side. Its two lock chambers allow boats to overcome a considerable change in water level. The lock keeper’s house at the double lock appears to have been built in 1790. The differing levels of certainty around these dates are important: the Orgues 1 house was built in 1826, while the house at the double lock appears to date from 1790.

Seven washhouses have been restored in Mont-et-Marré. Access to individual sites may vary. The Église Saint-André is also one of the village’s attractions; opportunities to visit may vary. Check before visiting. Together, the locks, washhouses, and church offer different points of interest for a trip focused on architectural details and local history.

Carp fishing in 2026

In 2026, carp fishing is permitted at all times along an 875 m stretch of pound 11 on the Canal du Nivernais in Mont-et-Marré. The stretch runs from 50 m downstream of the Mont-et-Marré lock to the Orgues lock. If fishing is part of your travel plans, its length and boundaries provide clear guidance for this stretch. Check fishing rights and applicable rules before fishing.

Discover more destinations: Magny-Lormes, Ciez, Cossaye, Limanton, Bouhy, Toury-sur-Jour, La-Charité-Sur-Loire, Saincaize-Meaucé.

For the broader travel overview: Nièvre.